Big Foot has been captured – Don’t believe everything you read

Greeting my friends,

During my studies of your species, I have come to the alarming realisation that not everything that I read on your internet or listen from your media channels are factually true. We learnt a long time ago about your fictional stories, which in turn, we do find quite entertaining, an artistry that has unfortunately been long forgotten back home. However, it was still quite surprising to learn that those individuals from which you rely on to provide you with current events so easily bend and contort the truth to align with their pre-existing narrative. While many of you already appear to be aware of this quandary, it is, in fact, worsening rather than improving.  Additionally, I have observed a growing prevalence of misinformation and disinformation. On our distant planet, we rely on factual, accurate information to make informed decisions. Here on Earth, I have noticed that most media outlets and social media platforms disseminate false or misleading information, causing confusion and division among your species. This poses a grave threat to your collective knowledge and societal harmony. Of course this bleeds into the influence of both the mainstream & social media on politics and society. Political campaigns, public discourse, and even elections are increasingly shaped by these platforms. While the potential for democratizing information is powerful, the manipulation and spread of misinformation have also become rampant, raising questions about the integrity of your democratic processes.

In conjunction with this perplexing phenomenon, I have observed what has been labelled as echo chambers and the polarization of your societies. Earthlings seem to be drawn to like-minded individuals and groups on social media, where they are exposed to limited perspectives and viewpoints. Rather then engaging in healthy conversation with varying points of view, this self-imposed segregation has led to increasing polarization, making it difficult for opposing ideas to be heard.

Closely related to this subject, I decided to integrate myself in your society and interject the existence of my earth alter ego in the circles of social media. It took very little time to learn that social media platforms have a penchant for collecting vast amounts of personal data. This invasion of privacy is a matter of great concern. On my home planet, we had lost our privacy for a period in our history and thrust me when I tell you that having your counterparts in positions of authority monitoring our every move is not a road that you should wish to travel. I caution you, the erosion of privacy on Earth is a dangerous trend that must be addressed.

Furthermore and certainly not to minimize the latter, but the addictive nature of social media is a phenomenon I find both fascinating and concerning. Many of you seem unable to resist the allure of constant scrolling, notifications and dopamine releasing gratification. This addiction has real consequences for mental health, contributing to anxiety, depression, and feelings of inadequacy. It is disheartening to see how social media negatively affects Earthlings in this regard. On top of all this, there is an added obsession with curated images and a superficial online persona. An affliction that particularly affects the youth of your species, they often present idealized versions of themselves on social media, perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards and materialistic values. This obsession with image often detracts from the deeper connections and authentic experiences that should be cherished.

I must say what baffles me the most is that all of these findings have been studied by your very own scientist and has been communicated to a very large sample of the population, yet change does not seem to be a priority. I have witnessed both the wonders and pitfalls of media and social media on Earth and while these communication channels offer the potential for connection, knowledge-sharing, and positive change, they also pose significant challenges. Misinformation, polarization, erosion of privacy, addiction, superficiality, and political manipulation are among the pressing issues that your planet must address.

I implore you, Earthlings, to reflect on the consequences of your media and social media consumption. Consider the impact on your society, your well-being, and the future of your planet. Seek solutions that promote transparency, truth, empathy, and responsible usage. Only by addressing these problems can you harness the true potential of these powerful tools and create a more harmonious & informed world for generations to come. Oh and no, there is no Big Foot, the closest species you’ve had to a bipedal hominin of this size was Gigantopithecus which was a very large ape like creature that last existed about 100 000 years ago. They were not very friendly.

Again I wish you Peace and Love,

P.a.L.