On Monday, I sent the below tweet and only received positive comments until I woke up the next day and saw it had got some negative ones during the night.
The negative commentors all had their point, but I found it interesting that I only received those around 1am which made me wonder:
Does late-night scrolling on social media make people become negative? Or do negative people get online late at night to spread negativity? Or both? And why?
Hi Ben, there is a lot of evidence that lack of sleep causes anxiety, depression and negativity so I am guessing you are right. Probably a lot of lonely people sitting up at that time too. Hope the trolls didn’t hurt you. It can get nasty.
You’re doing a great job keeping this conversation going.
Your story about Paul Green is not alone BA. Chiefs and NZ Maori winger Sean Wainui went the same way, having told his mate's previously that he was too scared to tell anyone or NZ rugby of his difficulties with family issues because he was afraid of the potential impact the disclosure would have on his career. Sport, & indeed society as a while, has a long way to go in the field of addressing mental health. There is plenty of talk but not much do, often leading to tragic consequences
The same as she always does, talk! She must have amazing connections to keep getting the jobs she does, given she always leaves behind shambles when she finishes. No doubt has her eyes on the NZR gig because change there is not too far away and there will be a lot of pressure on over here to appoint a female CEO. Think they should but find someone who has a successful track record and Raelene doesn't have that. A different set of eyes is never a bad thing, as you often get different thinking and - in a sporting sense - leadership that is not focused on HPU at the expense of everything else.
Aug 26, 2022·edited Aug 26, 2022Liked by Ben Alexander
Wow interesting question Ben. I don't know the answer or have any insights because I am always asleep at that time and post next to nothing publicly but I think it is a topic that would be interesting to research. Regardless of the negative responses I believe that all of these conversations are steps in helping people. I love that the young men (and women) of my kids generation are more prepared to talk about these issues. The openness helps, the stories of role models who have put their hands up is hugely influential as is your running with resilience and other such programs/activities but importantly we need the professional support networks that anyone can access to round things out.
Is the late night just an age thing? i.e. younger people stay up later and are more likely to be trolls? Or could it be a time difference thing?
Or maybe it's a duration thing. The longer your tweets are up getting positive comments, the more tempting it is for trolls to be negative and go against the crowd.
Either way, it is a big problem that people feel they can't speak up and get help. Gradually the tide is turning hopefully - there have been several high profile athletes recently who are starting to speak out. e.g. Simone Biles.
Hi Ben, there is a lot of evidence that lack of sleep causes anxiety, depression and negativity so I am guessing you are right. Probably a lot of lonely people sitting up at that time too. Hope the trolls didn’t hurt you. It can get nasty.
You’re doing a great job keeping this conversation going.
Your story about Paul Green is not alone BA. Chiefs and NZ Maori winger Sean Wainui went the same way, having told his mate's previously that he was too scared to tell anyone or NZ rugby of his difficulties with family issues because he was afraid of the potential impact the disclosure would have on his career. Sport, & indeed society as a while, has a long way to go in the field of addressing mental health. There is plenty of talk but not much do, often leading to tragic consequences
Probably has some good support around her. The Castle family are pretty high profile and have a fair bit of influence around the traps over here
The same as she always does, talk! She must have amazing connections to keep getting the jobs she does, given she always leaves behind shambles when she finishes. No doubt has her eyes on the NZR gig because change there is not too far away and there will be a lot of pressure on over here to appoint a female CEO. Think they should but find someone who has a successful track record and Raelene doesn't have that. A different set of eyes is never a bad thing, as you often get different thinking and - in a sporting sense - leadership that is not focused on HPU at the expense of everything else.
Wow interesting question Ben. I don't know the answer or have any insights because I am always asleep at that time and post next to nothing publicly but I think it is a topic that would be interesting to research. Regardless of the negative responses I believe that all of these conversations are steps in helping people. I love that the young men (and women) of my kids generation are more prepared to talk about these issues. The openness helps, the stories of role models who have put their hands up is hugely influential as is your running with resilience and other such programs/activities but importantly we need the professional support networks that anyone can access to round things out.
Is the late night just an age thing? i.e. younger people stay up later and are more likely to be trolls? Or could it be a time difference thing?
Or maybe it's a duration thing. The longer your tweets are up getting positive comments, the more tempting it is for trolls to be negative and go against the crowd.
Either way, it is a big problem that people feel they can't speak up and get help. Gradually the tide is turning hopefully - there have been several high profile athletes recently who are starting to speak out. e.g. Simone Biles.
Cheers,
Ben