Suffering Sells

The old axiom states that sex sells. I think, perhaps more so, suffering sells—at least on the internet.        

            A few clicks from your mouse will lead to a whole host of miseries, primarily instigated by bloggers and social media. Now, there’s nothing inherently wrong with the concept of suffering—it’s simply part of the human condition. And, doesn’t the purpose of a blog, (or Facebook, Twitter, etc.) at least to a certain extent, like in the ability to vent about things that upset you?

            Yes, but, I think the key to suffering, particularly as it relates to individuals in the online world, is to awake yourself from the delusion that you are suffering alone. Yes, times are hard for everyone, yet, all over the internet, people seem to think that their particular form of suffering is unique to them.

            I understand that most people who consider themselves artists believe that their suffering is their main selling point, but let me offer a bit of advice. You aren’t the only one who had to walk away from your house. You aren’t the only one who suffered a heart-wrenching breakup. You aren’t the only one who lost your job. So, stop writing like you are. And, before you parade your suffering as art in a VanGough-esque act of self-mutilation for the world to see, remember that it could always be worse. And, for someone else, it probably is. In the meantime, how about a smile? It couldn’t hurt.