The practice of crowds beating or stoning one or more people to death for any reason, i.e. lynching, has happened many times throughout history. Once you joined this mob, there was no hitting softly. If you didn't throw a stone or punch hard, the anger of those around you could suddenly turn on you.
In addition, stoning to death, which is part of the law of the divine religions, also imposed an obligation on those involved. Everyone who participated had to throw stones in some way. It is not known whether it is because of this, but the words of Jesus Christ, who is reported to have said to those who wanted to stoning a woman alleged to have committed adultery, “Let the one who is the most sinless cast the first stone,” have survived to this day.
Even if physical lynchings are on the decline today, with the development of social media, you can suddenly become the target of hundreds of people because of a word you say or an action you take. Criticism is of course indispensable in politics and daily life. However, posts that go beyond criticism and turn into insults come one after the other, like stones falling on people who were stoned to death in the past, and each time they become harsher.
Reasonable criticism has also become a crime
Of course, politicians are the most frequent targets of this new generation of lynchings. Kılıçdaroğlu is just one of these names. I am a journalist who criticizes Kılıçdaroğlu just like any other politician when necessary. However, I have been observing a new trend that has been increasing lately: People no longer want to be satisfied with mere criticism, they want to be insulted. Those who criticize reasonably are under pressure from those who insult. In the comments immediately below them, posts are made that insult the person who is trying to criticize reasonably or the person himself/herself.
We are going through a process where it is almost a misdemeanor to be reasonable. Like those holding stones in their hands during the execution, those who participate in social media lynchings are trying to suppress others as if to say “Why don't you throw stones?”. It is not possible to discuss a healthy issue in all this dry noise.
If this understanding becomes widespread, the political climate will become even more poisoned
This situation reminds me of the following observation of a police chief I had a conversation with in the past: “The intelligence of an unorganized group is determined by the stupidest or most outrageous person in that group.” He told me that a malicious person can make a group of people who have come together for the most justifiable reason react out of control.
Today, this rule has also become a reality on social media. And it is almost becoming a new trend in politics. Not those who criticize in a reasonable manner, but those who criticize in the most arrogant and harshest way receive applause and appreciation. If this understanding spreads further, the political climate will be further poisoned. This will lead to sane, independent people being scared away from politics, and showmen and juggernauts gaining more ground, and then everyone will lose, first and foremost the country.