Another week, Perth and Kinross Council had to issue a social media post to refute falsehoods regarding vacant buildings being used to shelter asylum seekers.

This time it was housing association flats, the previous time it was the vacant Kilgraston School. I am very confident there will be a next time, although I am not sure where (answers on a postcard?).

With the development of bots, AI-generated content, and individuals accepting as true Jimmy down the street’s “I heard from a guy who heard from a guy who knows a guy” tweets, the amount of incorrect information on social media appears to be expanding by the day.

Along with the expanding wave of “fake news,” there appears to be an increase in the viciousness of assaults on all sides of critical issues.

This week, I’ve been thinking about when it started, because it wasn’t always this bad.

IndyRef had problems, but not to the same scale

Returning to the Indyref argument, whether pro or anti-independence, people were impassioned and championed their views at protests, rallies, marches, and online forums.

Yes, there was bigotry and violence, but it was not as widespread as it is today. The bulk of individuals stuck to a few “you’re an idiot” remarks or statements that the other side would send Scotland into a downward spiral; it didn’t appear to go much further than that.

Even Brexit, which looked at immigration control and “taking back” powers from the European Union so that Britain were masters of their own destiny (something that definitely dipped a foot into racism and xenophobia), didn’t descend into the all-out hatred levels we are seeing now.

And neither of them witnessed riots like those in Southport in 2024.

Covid-19 misinformation

If I had to pinpoint when it seemed to escalate, I’d point to Covid-19 and the lockdowns.

The volume of conspiracy theories and strange “medical advice” that circulated while we were all forced to stay at home and live our lives through screens for months was unparalleled.

And when we developed cabin fever, anxious to get outside and do something or visit loved ones, many of us became angrier.

We were enraged at the people who were breaching the laws and producing spikes in disease, which hampered our quest for freedom, and we were upset at the governments who were ordering us to stay at home.

‘The most shocking part’

That rage appears to have lingered with a lot of people, exacerbated by the cost-of-living crises, what we see and hear online, and general dissatisfaction.

And now it appears that vulnerable populations, such as transgender persons and migrants, are being targeted.

Since the summer, there have been frequent rallies outside Perth hotels that house asylum seekers, as well as counter-protests.

At a council meeting, it was reported that asylum seekers, as well as a security person at one of the hotels, had been physically attacked.

That’s the most shocking aspect for me. I don’t care if you believe that Perth/Scotland/the UK should not accept asylum seekers; you have every right to have and voice your thoughts, but I do care if people are being damaged as a result of those beliefs.

And it’s not only physical attacks; it’s also verbal and written. I’ve received numerous rude comments and threats because I expressed an opinion with which others disagreed.

And I’ve seen this happen in Facebook comments and private messages sent by others.

These strategies appear to be employed to suppress or bully their “opponents”. And to be honest, it’s working.

I’m writing this column knowing that I could become a target and centre of rage and hatred because the subject is so passionate and emotional, and people appear to have no boundaries anymore.

Scotland’s World Cup qualifier shows there’s still togetherness out there

But it’s not all bad.

Nearly two weeks ago, we all rejoiced as the Scotland men’s team qualified for the World Cup for the first time in almost three decades.

The anger was set aside for the night as we enjoyed those incredible goals against Denmark and celebrated something wonderful.

And that’s what gives me optimism that things aren’t too far gone yet. That we may share a wonderful event without discord, hatred, rage, or finger pointing.

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