Social? Or anti-social?

Everywhere you look today, someone is blaming social media for something. For kids’ problems in school, for short attention spans, for a lack of human connection, for the falling birth rate. (Think about that last one for a minute.)

Truth is, most of us are on social media, relying on it to keep up with friends, find new places to eat and laugh at funny golf videos. In our industry, it can be a valuable tool to learn what people are talking about, get updates on new products and research, and pick up ideas from other clubs and crews that might apply to our courses.

I’m not going to sit atop some mountain and boldly proclaim that I never look at Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and any number of other sites that connect me with people I may or may not know. In fact, I begin my mornings scrolling and reading, looking for interesting turf tips to start my day either laughing or cursing.

And no, I’m not going to blame social media for any great problems, human decline, spreading mediocrity or fungicide resistance. The problem isn’t with the platform: It’s with us — the users. Not all of you (or all of us), but enough in our business to make me seriously wonder if it’s having a negative effect on who we are and what we do.

My problem is with those of us who compose a post or turn on the camera and immediately start to perform. These asocial outlets are an excuse for acting up — and acting out — by detailing every little thing they do.

Every circuit on a riding mower, smoothing of a bunker or cutting a hole on the green becomes the key plot point of their real-life docudrama. It’s bad enough that they record for posterity the most basic tasks; it’s worse that they think doing the everyday parts of our job are worth filming, posting and commenting on.

“Wow, look at the great job I did pulling that weed!” No. Sorry. I don’t care. And you shouldn’t be wasting my time and yours with this documentary drivel.

Besides exposing the poster’s ego, these silly expressions of self-satisfaction defy the true spirit of our industry. As I’ve written on numerous occasions — and tell anyone who will listen — superintendents and their crews are generally humble, hardworking and dedicated to our craft, not to personal promotion. Sure, it’s one thing if you’re aiming for a bigger job to cite your accomplishments and make the most of your experience. But to throw out this trivial twaddle day after day after day makes us all look bad.

The posters who push my buttons the hardest are the folks, even volunteers, involved with a major championship or one of the more prestigious tour events. Already the lucky ones, their patting their own backs further separates the haves from the have-nots.

I get it. You’re on the big stage and want to share it with everyone. You probably have a lot to be proud of. So, if you’re going to take to social media, use it constructively. Recognize crew members who’ve gone above and beyond. Thank the dozens of volunteers who’ve given up time at their own clubs to make you look good. Thank the supplier who got you 40 fairway units or mowers when you needed them — making 40 other clubs wait another six months for theirs.

It isn’t only those preparing for majors and the pros. Day after day, I see superintendents and crew members who should know better bragging about just doing their jobs. You aerified the greens? Mowed the rough? Well, good for you. Not only is that what you’re paid to do, it’s what your course requires: daily golf course maintenance.

Before you post next, ask yourself a few questions: Why are you posting? Who are you posting for? What do you expect from it? Then ask yourself another question: How much time am I spending each day telling the world that I’m doing exactly what’s expected of me?

While you are performing, what’s happening to your job performance?

Yes, I’m an old fart, I admit it. And I’m not saying don’t post. I certainly do. Just post with a purpose, and don’t make everything all about you. When there’s something to celebrate, let us know. When one of your team deserves recognition, make them famous. When you have something really worth sharing with the golf community, please share it with me to educate me!

Social media can be a valuable tool for education and recognition. It can also lead to a severe case of narcissism. Whether your posts deserve an Oscar or a raspberry is up to you.