A new bell set to be installed at Paris’ Notre-Dame cathedral is shown a month before it reopens … [+]
There was a time when social media was about sharing heartwarming stories that highlighted the good in humanity instead of constant political bickering and open hostility. Such posts still make the rounds, but they often get lost in a sea of negativity.
Perhaps the bells of Notre Dame will drown out some of the divisiveness and animosity on social media, however past trends may still suggest otherwise.
Let the bells ring
Videos were posted on X and other social media platforms on Friday morning, showing the famous Parisian landmark’s bells tolling for the first time since a devastating fire in April 2019.
In total, there are eight church bells in the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris, mounted on the two main bell towers. The bells tolled as Paris prepared for the cathedral’s grand reopening after more than five and a half years of restoration. There is still much work to be done, but efforts are moving forward.
“Just before 10:30 a.m. Paris time on Friday, the bells tolled one by one until all eight fell together in the cathedral’s north bell tower, a month before the world heritage site is scheduled to reopen on December 8,” wrote Suzanne Rowan Kelleher for. Forbes.com earlier today.
“If you’ve ever been to see Notre Dame — and even if you haven’t — there’s something about that glorious roar that lifts the heart,” said Susan Campbell, lecturer in the University’s Department of Communication, Film and Media Studies. of New Haven. “It’s also a nice palate cleanser from divisive politics.”
From tragedy to conspiracy theories in a bottle
The fire that almost destroyed the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral was indeed a social media moment, as Parisians and tourists were among the first to report the fire breaking out in its roof space. Twitter, as it was still known at the time, also proved to be a source for breaking news as photos and videos poured in from all over the City of Lights.
“The Notre Dame fire was such a cataclysmic event that it was shared widely on social media and shocked many people,” explained technology and social media analyst Roger Entner of Recon Analytics.
Investigators quickly announced that the fire was not an intentional act, and was instead ignited by a carelessly discarded cigarette or the result of a short circuit in the electrical system. However, it didn’t take long for misinformation to spread on social media, fueled by both xenophobia and sensitivity shaming.
There were claims that African immigrants were to blame or that it was a terrorist attack carried out by Islamic extremists, while others on social media suggested it was perhaps punishment – divine or otherwise – for France’s colonial past.
“The spread of conspiracy theories and quick blaming of one group or another is a negative result of social media,” said Susan Schreiner, principal analyst at C4 Trends.
“It serves as a megaphone that amplifies people’s worst fears and prejudices — and advances division and hatred,” warned Schreiner, who regularly covers social media trends.
A big comeback
Soon after the fire was contained, French officials vowed to see the historic cathedral restored to its former glory. It has been four and a half years of hard work. Although the first ringing of the bells in the restored building has not achieved the same level of attention on social media as the fire, the echoes will still be heard around the world.
“The revival of the badly damaged cathedral with its iconic bells has now been announced on social media. It reminds us that everything has a season and even the worst times come to an end,” Entner suggested.
Just before 10:30 a.m. Friday, the bells rang one by one until all eight chimed in unison for about five minutes.
“Maybe it’s an omen that the bells of Notre Dame are ringing again and that it’s being shared widely on social media,” Schreiner said. “It is the first time in five years since the fire that destroyed this historic cathedral. The sound of these bells came a month before the cathedral reopens after five years of painstaking restoration work.
“In these troubled and emotional times, the sound of these bells signals joy, resilience and the ability to overcome challenges,” she added. “Why can’t we see more of these bright and kinder moments on social media, instead of bashing, sharing and spreading hate?”