What’s Wrong with WhatsApp
The Resolution | Finale
Now we have come to cover that this WhatsApp matter is not as simple as some suggest. It is more than just to meet the eye.
So the baseline question here is this — Should we use it or shouldn’t we?
This question goes back to personal consideration with no definite verdict imposed. This is because the heart of the matter we’re talking about is not singular either technology or human factor. It is both.
Having said this, the implication is — The points mentioned previously (not withstanding the scientific papers) are based on theoretical argument in relation with observed occurrence association; not causation what more statistical. It is on this basis that there are cases where people using WhatsApp but do not (at least not yet) develop all the three problems discussed hitherto namely inefficient communication, breakdown of social order, and pervasion of privacy.
The possibility is numerous. They can rightly use it solely for social interaction, not serious discussion or formal matters which bear certain grave complication. In this manner, the three problems are not a problem at all. The analogy I always use is this — WhatsApp is a playground. You go into it just to socialise with people doing simple easy stuff. Thus no ‘efficient’ communication is really a necessity, nor any risk of social order breakdown (what ‘order’ are you looking for in a playground right?). There is also no question of privacy since we enter a playground to leave our privacy behind.
There is an interesting encounter of mine though where a group of people indeed uses it for serious matters like managing a PhD group research on a particular subject. My interview with one of the participant reveals that they are not having any of the above problem whatsoever. Upon further questioning, it is apparent that this group is one of a very intellectual people. They are highly disciplined and are very clear on the specified function of the group — Solely for research. They know the flow of order, they respect each other’s privacy, and they do not take WhatsApp group chat as replacement of real world interaction. If this is the case, then any medium wouldn’t be a problem.
This leads us to understand the very importance of human factor in interaction with technology, and not technology alone for consideration. To explain this, let’s return to Sociology.
In a book quoted earlier ‘Sociology and Modern Social Problems’ by Charles, there is a topic on ‘The Problems of City’. It is acknowledged that the ‘city’, which is a big household, is itself a social problem apart from its potential. People come and interact at a much higher level of activity and diversity. So the challenge is on how to manage the welfare of the people and the facility in that city at the same time. 1
It is then come a wise solution put under headline — Municipal socialism. It is not socialism per se in the sense of ‘common ownership’ of all capital. What it means is the collective nature of interpersonal interaction which is based on the sense of common responsibility to take care of the city.
So instead of having a large group of people being a source of problem, municipal socialism flips the equation and becomes the source of potential. Nevertheless this practice requires one serious assumption and that is — the society as a whole is highly civilised with good nature embedded in them. This is the high-risk assumption to be taken if we are to consider municipal socialism as a solution to the problems of the city.
In similar manner I’d say — If we are to assume that the use of WhatsApp is safe, then we have to assume there is ‘digital municipal socialism’.
With that, we come back to the initial question here that is — Should we use WhatsApp?
My first answer is “Yes”.
Yes we should, but not without the above mentioned requirements. To briefly put them in a list, they are:
- We are using it, and with realisation of its nature, as a social media. A ‘playground’. Nothing more nothing less.
- We consider ourselves a highly civilised society with high sense of respect to each other’s rights for privacy if we choose to use it, and with respect to the rights of other if they choose not to.
- We are aware that people we try to contact might not be on WhatsApp and we take necessary measure to avoid communication breakdown, in realisation that digital communication does not deny the need for real life interaction and the responsibility in it.
If we can fulfil at least these three criteria, then WhatsApp is going to be a haven for human connection leaving behind the cost paid to telecommunication company. However, that is not all the answer to the question because…
My second answer is — “No”.
No, we should not use WhatsApp as a mass medium of communication. And this is true if:
- We can’t tolerate the super-engaging nature of WhatsApp, evidenced by our frequent return to it or being restless without it.
- We do not care what individual rights such as privacy or freedom to choose means.
- We are not willing to consider that people can choose to be offline for any reason and in that instance we don’t think there is risk of communication breakdown.
For these people, I sincerely advice, — Please stop using WhatsApp. With the background technical problem of the app itself, harbouring another risk of human factor is going to be devastating. This effect is not just in the context of communication, but also to your own self (refer Part 5).
There is some risk that you might be seen by your friends as someone selfish, or a person who only cares about his personal problem. On the surface yes, you are being selfish. But on the deeper side (which I doubt most avid WhatsApp users has), you are actually being selfless. Sounds counterintuitive but consider this — By letting everyone knows that you’re not on WhatsApp, you are actually taking an active effort on your side to avoid any communication breakdown by them trying to contact you on WhatsApp when you are not there. Thus they can opt for other ways to connect with you immediately without trying to go through WhatsApp first!
In other words by willing to be called ‘selfish’ for the sake of public communication, that is not selfish. That is ‘ithar’ or altruism in the very definition.
These two ‘Yes-No’ answer, if you realise, can coexist together in different individuals of similar society since each stand has proper consideration to the other, be it digital life and real life.
In the end, WhatsApp is a flawed communication medium for society. But as a ‘playground’, it is a very nice one.
With that, I put my case to rest.
I leave you here with an eye-opening speech by Muhammad Ali when he was asked on his retirement plan. Indeed, life is too short to spend staring to screens every now and then only to look up when we are 85. Or at least 65, according to Muhammad Ali.
Anyhow, enjoy the video. There’s a very important message in there.
Allahu a’lamu bi as-shawab (God knows the truth better).
P/s: For those of you who has followed through all the 6 series of What’s Wrong with WhatsApp, I’d personally say — Thank you very, very much. May your patience reward in you in some way by this reading, insyaAllah.
Read also: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Finale
Reference:
- Charles Abram Ellwood. Sociology and Modern Social Problems (iBooks). United States: Public Domain; 1945. Available from: https://itun.es/us/GBH5D.l
