I think we can agree that social media is a double edged sword. I wouldn't deny it does good. People who are isolated, say LGBTQ teens in conservative religious places, can find acceptance and community. But it can also be a quickly changing wild, wild, west of bullying and sexting and anonymity facilitated meanness. Lionel, narrator of Brian Wasson's Two Truths and a Lionel, certainly gets taken for a roller coaster ride.
Lionel idolizes his recently deceased grandfather, the swashbuckling hero of many a movie. But it seems that the movie star genes for standing out in a crowd weren't exactly passed down. He's a pretty much run-of-the mill in his small town high school...
...until one day the pet store he and his ex best friend who now loathes him are in catches on fire. A video makes it look like he saved a man's life. Social media catches on and spreads his heroism through his school and way beyond. With fame come all kinds of perks. And his crush, a social media influencer, seems suddenly attainable.
But it's not smooth sailing for Lionel. He knows that he isn't the hero he's widely portrayed as. What will happen when the truth gets out? What does he stand to lose when the social media that has put him on a pedestal just as vigorously kicks him off?
On a purrrsonal note, today was a picture perfect New England autumn day. It started out crisp and warmed enough for me to change into shorts. I celebrated the weather great good fortune by staying out from after breakfast until darkness fell in the evening. I really enjoyed seeing the pollinators having happy hour at my lovely garden.
A great big shout out goes out to Eugene who is due back tonight from a 3 day camping trip with his brother.
Jules Hathaway
Sent from my U.S.Cellular© Smartphone
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