Discord

Any internet user/overzealous parent has had a new platform enter their lives recently. Discord revives both the ancient tradition of chatrooms and caters to the relatively new need to communicate during online gaming. Yet, under that cute logo's exterior lays a dark underbelly of sinister content. 

I have been using Discord essentially since it's launch. It came out a year after I set-up my first gaming PC; so, it was the perfect way to yell at my friends while we played. Slowly--though--Discord became less about those with whom I was already acquainted and more about those I wasn't. 

As I'd browse Reddit or other social media, I'd notice "join our Discord!" advertisements almost everywhere I went. As I already had the app installed--and was incapable of using my time creatively--I clicked those buttons. 

I spent a large majority of my time being surprised with scandalous furry images, alt-right political opinions, and general rudeness; yet, I couldn't draw myself away. Something about talking to the same people I did yesterday--even if I had not actually enjoyed the interaction--became my drug. 

My crowd was filled with people who were "racist as a joke," but--regardless of their intention--those insensitive phrases wormed their way into my daily lingo. 

As I moved through life, it took a concerted effort to become unaccustomed with such words. Through the whole process, the fact that I was speaking like people whom I considered to be my friends constantly enticed me to continue the way I was. 

I still use Discord from time to time. It is not the bottomless time sink that it once was, but it's a convenient way to stay in touch with friends--whether they be online or not. 

I don't think he endless stream of alt-right and NSFW content is any fault on the actual service's part; I think it's the fault of the human brain. People naturally want to socialize--Discord gives them the opportunity to do so with anyone in any part of the world. Maybe I was just unlucky in being provided the more unsavory side of the Discord community, but I certainly could have become more sympathetic to their cause while I was in daily communication with them. 

While this may make some throw their arms up in the air and stop all Discord-related activity (or it might--at least--if anyone actually read my blog). I think that a healthy Discord experience is governed by the same rules as healthy life experience in general. 

Be nice to others, question everything, and don't give into peer pressure.