Better than artificial intelligence for quelling social media conflict
By Dean Collins
Since we haven’t figured out how to keep from fighting on social media, some are hoping artificial intelligence (AI) will help. According to information reported on both CNN and FOX, Facebook is testing AI to help group administrators defuse fights started by social media posts.
You’ve certainly seen it happen. Someone posts a comment or question and one or two commenters begin a discussion that escalates into an argument. I’ve rarely seen these arguments result in new understanding and bonds of friendship (unless you count attackers with the same opinion as friends). Instead, all this verbiage seems just to aggravate and separate people.
Ancient teaching
Maybe AI can help us learn what Solomon tried to teach us several centuries ago. Proverbs 17: 27 offers advice that AI might have recently confirmed: “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding .”
What’s interesting to observe in some of these long threads is that some of the people fighting don’t actually know each other. They may have a mutual friend or be someone once known in the distant past, but they aren’t people who live in community with each other. Even so, they succeed in stirring up the community of others.
Solomon suggests several considerations to make before you speak or post, even if your intent is to be helpful.
1) If you lack wisdom, praying for wisdom is a good starting place. (James gives the same advice.) Unfortunately, some who post don’t think they lack wisdom. They believe they have figured it out and feel compelled for others to know.
2) James and Solomon agree on the second point as well. Fewer words and cooler heads bring better results. “Whoever restrains words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding” (Proverbs 17:27). James 1:19, 20 tells us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. James added that the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
3) Rash words are like sword thrusts (Proverbs 12:18). They are not carefully considered, and they do damage.
4) The tongue of the wise brings healing. I wonder if AI will help us determine who on social media is wise.
King David has some thoughts that should be factored into AI, I think. David offered a prayer that implied his understanding of human tendencies. “Keep back your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me” Psalm 19:13
A presumptuous person is overconfident in what they have to say or offer. I think we’ve all seen quite a few presumptuous people on social media, in politics, and yes, even in the church. David’s final prayer in Psalm 19 followed his request that God hold him and his tongue back from presumptuous sin. The correction is in this prayer, though I doubt AI will use it: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
I’ve heard many preachers pray this before they preach. I don’t think it was written primarily for preachers, though. Maybe it’s the prayer to pray right after our prayer for wisdom and before we try to help or correct anyone on social media or, frankly, anywhere.
Fewer referees?
If more of us follow the advice of Scripture found in Proverbs, James, and the Psalms, maybe we would not only have less need for referees on social media, but more importantly, we would advance the Kingdom of God and his righteousness.
Your time with God’s Word
Proverbs 17:27-28; 12:18; James 1:5, 19-20, 26; Proverbs 1:20-23; Psalm 19:13-14 ESV
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