There was a time when social media was about sharing uplifting stories that highlighted the good in mankind instead of the constant political bickering and open hostility. Such posts still make the rounds, but they’re all too often lost in a sea of negativity.
Perhaps the bells of Notre Dame will drown out some of the division and hostility on social media, yet past trends may still suggest otherwise.
Let The Bells Ring Out
Videos were posted on X and other social media platforms Friday morning showing the bells of the famous Parisian landmark ringing for the first time since the devastating fire in April 2019.
In total, there are eight church bells in the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris, mounted in the two main bell towers. The bells rang out as Paris prepares for the grand reopening of the cathedral after more than five and a half years of restoration. Much work still has yet to be done, but the efforts are moving forward.
“On Friday shortly before 10:30 a.m. Paris time, the bells sounded one by one until all eight chimed together in the cathedral’s northern belfry, a month before the world heritage landmark is slated to reopen on December 8,” Suzanne Rowan Kelleher wrote for Forbes.com earlier today.
“If you’ve ever been to see Notre Dame—and even if you haven’t—there is something about that glorious noise that lifts the heart,” said Susan Campbell, lecturer in the Communication, Film, and Media Studies Department at the University of New Haven. “It’s also a beautiful palate cleanser from divisive politics.”
From Tragedy To Vial Conspiracy Theories
The fire that nearly destroyed the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris was truly a social media moment, as Parisians and tourists were among the first to report on the fire that broke out in its roof space. Twitter, as it was still known at the time, also proved to be a resource for breaking news as photos and videos came in from across the City of Lights.
“The fire in Notre Dame was such a cataclysmic event that was widely shared on social media and shook many people,” explained technology and social media analyst Roger Entner of Recon Analytics.
Investigators quickly announced that the fire wasn’t a deliberate act, and instead was likely started by a carelessly discarded cigarette or was the result of a short circuit in the electrical system. Yet, it didn’t take long for misinformation to spread on social media, fueled by both xenophobia and empathy shaming.
There were claims African migrants were to blame or that it was a terrorist attack carried out by Islamic extremists, while others on social media suggested it was perhaps retribution—divine or otherwise—for France’s colonial past.
“The spread of conspiracy theories and quickly blaming 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 biases—and advances divisiveness and hate,” warned Schreiner, who regularly covers social media trends.
A Major 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. Though the first ringing of the bells in the restored building hasn’t reached the same level of attention on social media as the fire, the echoes will still be heard around the world.
“The resurrection of the heavily destroyed cathedral with its iconic bells is now heralded on social media. It reminds us that everything has a season and even the worst of times come to an end,” suggested Entner.
Shortly before 10:30 am on Friday, the bells sounded one by one until all eight chimed in harmony for about five minutes.
“Perhaps it’s an omen that the bells of Notre Dame are ringing again and that it’s being widely shared on social media,” said Schreiner. “It’s the first time in five years since the fire that devastated this historical cathedral. The sounds of these bells came a month before the cathedral is to reopen after five years of painstaking restoration work.
“In these distraught and emotional times, the sounds of these bells signal 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, rather than vitriol, division and hate-spewing?”
