When we talk about ethics and morality, the discussion no more remains technical. It goes without saying that it requires no brainstorming but some serious discernment of rights and wrongs to make sense. You can’t even list out everything that’s floating around on the internet. Everything, be it good or bad, right or wrong is a part of it as of now. It’s an endless sea, turning out with a new thing every time you surf through. In fact anyone as good as you or me can contribute to the already existing pile of information. What’s the stimulant to such contributions? Obviously, there has to be some incentive. Not everyone out there is a philanthropist. The purpose of putting something online could be one of the following:
- Sharing genuine information
- Intention of entertaining
- Seeking help
- Communication through correspondence
- Advertising or promoting a product, service or idea
- Making money out of it
Please feel free to add to the list any significant point that I missed.
Coming to the topic under discussion, we have seen quite a lot of mudslinging relevant to steroid education being let open on the web lately. I strongly believe that if it’s education, it shall be considered for the betterment of the society. On the other hand when I look at the way internet has grown uncontrollably, I am forced to rethink my words. There are things that if not explained correctly or completely may get picked up in the wrong sense and parallel are things that need not be explained without restriction on the internet. Just because people know that they won’t fall prey to legal action such content constantly gets created for the sake of viewership or fellowship. Not exaggerating, we know the damage abusing anabolic steroids can bring. Letting people know when and how to jab their buttocks with what kind of testosterone is somewhat similar to rendering online tutorials for building a suicide bomb if not more.
It’s definitely a hit or miss but who cares as long as you are informed enough. But is everyone viewing such content well-informed and for that matter, are the people creating such contents genned up and ethical by nature? If they’re, well there shall be a limit to what is being taught to the public openly. Not long ago, I came across some YouTube videos demonstrating and defending the use of anabolic steroids. I very well understand the point but in my personal opinion, any sort of defensive explanation or encouragement related to anabolic steroids should be limited to a particular group of audience. An 18 plus disclaimer isn’t all that is expected. This shall entail wise selection of a suitable platform to share such information particularly to those who aren’t likely to misinterpret what gets communicated. Richard Dawkins, an English biologist and author says and I quote, “Ideas, singly and in related groups, behave much like genes, replicating themselves through the population”.
A reasonable argument could be - Why would people scroll through information on steroids when they don’t need it? If I answer this by my personal experience, I have seen several fitness channels periodically distributing tips on steroid use. Why? You’re smart enough to guess why. No, I don’t intend to see how to inject myself with testosterone nor do I need to know when, in which case and at what age to use anabolic steroids. I still get to see such videos and read such text even without searching for them. I agree I shouldn’t click on them if I don’t want to but what about those who don’t even know what steroid is and are just tempted to use it for the very fact they’ve been hearing, ‘This body can’t be achieved naturally’. To admit, it’s a one hundred percent fault on the part of the viewer but content creators just can’t deny ethical liability. On the other hand there are people who would warn you to keep away from flaming things and information. In a way steroid education is needed but the extent and the way of imparting the knowledge is equally important. To make an impact that using anabolic steroids is not the only option and to make clear how unsafe it could be, calling out names and dosages of those drugs isn’t the right way.
While everyone is playing the blame game, it’s equally important to point out the responsibilities of the viewership. As viewers and readers of any online content, we are quite a high number with respect to the creators. As a matter of fact, every content creator should also be counted in the viewer crowd. Instead of blaming someone for putting up an objectionable text, video or anything else for that matter, we shall pay heed to something that is genuine and ethical. Let’s take an example to gain a better understanding of this. There are a lot of videos and tutorials on medical surgeries available online. The question is, do we start doing it right away without giving it a thought? An anabolic steroid, be it oral or injectable could be considered something similar. Don’t fall prey to life threatening drugs in aspirations of getting shredded in no time. People who know frankly nothing about training and diet have been found jabbing their buttocks with testosterone. Why? Maybe because they’re not smart enough or maybe because they simply don’t care.
Once and for all, we know that we can only set constraint on things that fall under our control. The internet has since long been unruly. You don’t need to have a publisher or distributor of your stuff here, if you own a computer or even a mobile device these days, you are already set to go. This post is not just about anabolic steroids and the stuff that is floating around about them. This shall urge you not to go blind and straight into anything that you see online. I am not challenging your belief system but I don’t think you would disagree with me when I say not everything here is genuine and factual. It’s the time when hyperbolic click baits are earning people their livelihood. Beware of that.
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