Paul Bisceglio, a freelance journalist who edits the literary digital magazine Land that I Live, recently wrote an article in The Atlantic suggesting that social media is changing how people approach death. While the proliferation of social media and increasing use of such to speak about personal experiences with end of life is easily documented, how this shift will impact how people view death and dying is not yet known.
So What?
As people of faith, we have always viewed death differently. Social media may help people of all ages and in all stages of life better grasp the frailty of our existence as well as the diverse realities present at the end of life. It certainly has the power to introduce these conversations to people who otherwise may avoid them.
- Have you personally used social media to share your own experiences with a loved one nearing and reaching the end of life? Would you do so? Why or why not?
- Do you think an increased use of social media regarding all aspects of end of life will have a significant impact on the way many Americans view and approach death? Explain.