OPINION: Social media isn't the place to learn about geopolitics
We live in a post-truth world. The digital era has increased accessibility to information, but it has also made it easier to spread misleading content that can shape narratives. This has contributed to confusion around complex political issues, such as the rise of anti-Zionist rhetoric, particularly among younger audiences. Social media makes it easier to have a polarized opinion than to engage in critical analysis. This has made it more challenging to develop a comprehensive, multifaceted understanding of what’s happening in the Middle East. The reality is that my peers and I – like everyone else – are far removed from the situation on the ground. For example, after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack in Israel, a student I spoke with at McGill University in Montreal expressed deep concern that the country’s energy and focus would be entirely consumed by war. They questioned whether a nation facing such profound trauma could continue to foster the creativity, drive, and entrepreneurial spirit for which it has long been known to possess. If your only experience with Israel is via social media, this is a fair question. On social media, Israel is defined by war — brutal photos of hostages taken by Hamas, inflammatory sound bites from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and infographics about humanitarian issues. But in my experience, Israel is so much more. It is a nation that builds even while under fire, an economy that adapts, innovates and pushes forward. War and conflict are indeed a part of everyday life in Israel, but it is not Israel’s defining quality. At McGill, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in The TAMID Group, which provides hands-on opportunities for business students (both Jewish and non-Jewish) to work with Israeli start-ups and intern in Tel Aviv for a summer. This real-world interaction is so important, but so lacking in digital environments. Israel’s start-up ecosystem is a huge part of the nation’s economy and its contribution to the world. Whether it’s through a semester of Israel education, a consulting project with an Israeli startup, a stock pitch to invest in an Israeli firm or an Israeli-focused professional development event, each touchpoint for a student is an opportunity to form an individualized perspective of Israel. Understandably, this process can be complicated. On college campuses like mine, students hold very strong beliefs about Israel and there is seldom room for dialogue. One of my friends from TAMID does not come from a Jewish background and, last year, was struggling with how to maintain a friendship with a Jewish peer because of their Zionist beliefs. My friend admitted to knowing little about Israel at that time, but showed an interest in learning about the country, for both personal and professional reasons. One year later, this student has learned about and experienced the entrepreneurial mindset of Israelis first-hand and remarked that if this “Start-Up Nation” aspect of Israel were more widely known, perhaps the global narrative around Israel wouldn’t be so politicized or oversimplified. Gaining real-world experience — professional and personal — is what college is all about. In college, students get to explore who they are when they are away from their families and their hometowns. You meet people from different provinces and different countries who have separate experiences and perspectives from your own. College is designed to challenge your biases and develop your critical thinking skills. This won’t happen behind a social media profile. It happens in real life — up close, unfiltered and undeniably real. Shawna S. is a rising senior at McGill University
