I could probably write all day about my own personal beliefs when it comes to the pros and cons of the internet in general, and social media in particular, especially Facebook.
But, since six-hour reads aren't practical when it comes to editorializing, here's one topic that has truly gotten under my skin for quite some time now.
There are a number of ways a person can try to effectively make a difference when they see what they believe to be wrongdoing or moral bankruptcy taking place, especially when it's in the world of consumer goods and services.
None of them include posting to Facebook unless you have facts to back up your claim and you're using said facts to make a complaint through the proper channels or (gasp) talk to a proper media outlet of your choice.
In fact, serious damage can be done through unsubstantiated claims, not to mention calling into question the direction the poster's own moral compass may be pointing, or any unseen agendas that may be in play that only the poster is privy too.
But that's a discussion for another day.
There is no doubt many folks across the Kivalliq have their suspicions concerning pricing in the region, especially when said pricing goes up. And, in my mind at least, there is no doubt that some of those suspicions are completely justified.
There is also no doubt the announcement of certain programs fuel such suspicions almost the exact minute they are announced. It follows along the same line of thought, for example, that upcoming summer vacations fuel a spike in the cost of airline travel out of the region. And, you can bet your bottom dollar, if our national mail handlers are mulling over the thought of strike action, the calendar probably says we're getting near Christmas.
On the dark side of the ledger, one has but to peruse fairly recent social media posts (if they still exist) to discover unsubstantiated claims against an Inuit-owned company that has done a lot of good things for folks in the Kivalliq region, as being behind the Amazon Prime shipping debacle in Rankin. And, as it turned out, nothing could have been further from the truth.
Your perusal would also probably find a rather emotional response to the unfounded allegations against it from the company itself.
Even more recently, we have allegations that a number of Kivalliq retailers are jacking up their prices on everything from baby supplies to food in anticipation of the launch of the Jordan’s Principle program in Kivalliq communities.
If true, that would be one of the more despicable acts in recent memory when it comes to price gouging in the North.
And, if true, our friendly territorial government should be being bombarded with backed-up-by-facts complaints, as well as the agencies behind the actual program itself.
It's a slippery slope, valued readers, and one that absolutely should not be ignored.
However, that's if you really do want to make a difference, take a swipe at corruption, and be brave enough to stand-up against whomever or whatever you're pointing the finger at and whatever consequences come with that.
If you're truly looking for results and not just clicks, proper channels and proper media will trump social media posts every single time.
You can put whatever price tag on that you'd like.