Post-2020 saw the rise of cancel culture, social media polarization, and online discourse that only intensified. With Cancel Culture, people were quickly criticized or ostracized for opinions or actions that were deemed unacceptable, even when the latter was proven correct. This created a destructive cycle of online shaming that led to a suppression of free expression. Issues of race, social justice, and political ideology dominated online debates, often leading to polarized discussions where compromise and understanding were hard to find.
Post-2020, social media platforms became battlegrounds for ideological conflict. Social media platforms often amplify division through algorithms designed to reinforce echo chambers, contributing to polarization and cancel culture through the algorithm-driven manipulation of opinions.
The post-2020 brought on a reality of living more digitally— through remote work, online education, and the increased reliance on social media for connection during the pandemic. Acceptance and mutual respect can flourish in this environment, despite the isolating or toxic aspects of online interaction, with effort. Differing opinions and values must coexist for society to move forward.

My WWW.Friend
In an online world that demands explanations, unwarranted,
Society’s weight on your shoulders
leaves you heavy-hearted.
Though you strive to be the best,
you are imperfect, yet true,
Still, to be judged harshly,
we share this, both me and you

But here’s a truth,
in the internal net of our digital story,
Social network friends
need not share the same glory.
Divergent beliefs exist in this webbed world,
wide and vast,
Understanding grows
from a willingness to see beyond the cast.

In the cancel culture of discourse,
healthy debates may arise,
Political storms that challenge,
once accepted under different skies.
If we seek truth, we have no need for agreement
at every single bend,
For respect and acceptance,
like networked bridges, we extend.

To judge, online or off,
is a toxic flame that scorches the soul,
A darkness, that seeks to devour,
turn off the power, and control.
Yet here we stand,
still friends in this digital domain,
Honored not for conformity,
but for the love we retain.

A social network friendship
is a reverberation of grace,
A space where differences
may still find a rightful place.
In the complexity of diversity,
we defy the algorithm,
By supporting the good,
and the differences,
we gain wisdom.

Not compromise,
but coexistence in this digital embrace,
Becoming better people,
evolving in this virtual space.
So let social judgment dissipate.
Big Tech has no clue,
in acceptance and love,
our true selves recharge and renew.