by Donald Sevilla
OF LOOSE CANNONS AND BLOATED EGOS
A loose cannon is one who blurts out any comment or observation most often with a negative connotation, impulsively and without regard for any modicum of decency. Most often it refers to a “quick-draw” type of personality who shoots randomly without thinking or who does things on impulse without any regard for the norms of civilized society.
Webster defines it as a “dangerously uncontrollable person or thing. A loose cannon is someone who behaves unpredictably and recklessly, often in a way that puts others at risk or negatively affects what they’re trying to do.
People considered loose cannons can’t be trusted because there’s no telling what they’re going to say or do.The metaphor is based on the image of a cannon on a ship that comes loose (such as during a storm) and starts dangerously sliding around and slamming into the people on board and the parts of the ship, causing injuries and damage. “
Most often people who are considered loose cannons are associated with having oversized egos. They tend to be egoistic that they have no regard for others but themselves. They couldn’t care less what impact the consequences of their actions will have on others.
In our modern digital age where social media platforms bear considerable influence in our lives, it is easy to become victims to loose cannons and to cyber bullies. Social media is prone to abuse as any Tom, Dick or Harry who has an axe to grind against anybody can simply post negative information or fake news about him while hiding under the cloak of anonymity in a fake account or in a blind item.
The recent tirades posted in facebook published by a self-appointed social media crusader of good governance in Bohol attacking a member of the bench is a gross insult to the integrity and reputation of the judiciary, where even without mentioning names the malicious imputations offered without any shred of evidence allude to a particular officer of the court.
Such vitriolic attacks are a scourge to civilized society where rumors and unfounded accusations should never be a part of.We should be governed by laws and not by the caprices of men and influenced by mere hearsay.
But distasteful as it is, rumor mongering brings excitement to social media. The power to sway public opinion is coveted by political strategists and by PR gurus.Yet it does not matter whether the information being peddled across is true or not. What matters is the perception that it is .This is as dangerous as it gets, that brings us back to the days of the renowned Nazi propagandist and master of deception Joseph Goebbels.
With what is happening around us now, we should take extra vigilance sifting through the loads of information we encounter everyday through social media.We cannot allow ourselves to be taken for a ride by loose cannons and egotistical maniacs!