Does Social Media Impose Its Desires On 'Talented' People And Pressure Them To 'Act?'

The so-called boon of social media means that those with talent don't have to turn to any other platform--like television--to showcase their abilities and be noticed by public anymore.

Do something crazy or simply outstanding and watch yourself turn into an Internet sensation overnight. Isn't that how it works?

Take the most recent example of Srinivasa Gowda. He has been running in Kambala races in Karnataka for years now but he only tasted celebrity recently after it was reported that he ran faster with his buffaloes than Usain Bolt does on the tracks.

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To compare or not to compare?

Most have argued that their respective speeds shouldn't be used as a test of the calibre of the two runners technically because they run in different conditions.

Usain Bolt runs on tracks meant for exactly that, and where speed is electronically timed. Srinivasa Gowda, on the other hand, makes a dash on a muddy paddy field with buffaloes where speed is manually timed.

And while people were debating this, another Kambala race runner was reported to have broken Gowda¡¯s record.

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Quick trials online lead to promises of 'fair trials' on ground

The record-breaking feat of the 'Indian Usain Bolt' went viral on Twitter even before mainstream news channels could report it. It was noticed by Anand Mahindra who, along with other netizens, urged the Sports Ministry on India to call Gowda for Sports Authority of India trials.

Meanwhile, media channels and news agencies lined up outside Gowda¡¯s home in Karnataka to find out how he felt. He humbly said that the comparison between him and a world champion is not fair.

On Twitter, Kiren Rijiju promptly replied to Anand Mahindra assuring everyone that fair trials will be held for Srinivasa Gowda to see if he is fit to train to compete in International running events.

Mind you, at this point, no one had even asked Gowda whether he even had any aspirations to compete on a national or international level.

I'll call Karnataka's Srinivasa Gowda for trials by top SAI Coaches. There's lack of knowledge in masses about the standards of Olympics especially in athletics where ultimate human strength & endurance are surpassed. I'll ensure that no talents in India is left out untested. https://t.co/ohCLQ1YNK0

¡ª Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 15, 2020

After a few hours Kiren Rijiju, the Sports Minister informed the ¡®just¡¯ people on the internet that Gowda¡¯s train tickets had been booked and he would be at an SAI centre on February 17. People were ecstatic.

Finally, a person would get the chance he deserves, something that would have been impossible if it weren't for the Internet. Right?

Yes @PMuralidharRao ji. Officials from SAI have contacted him. His rail ticket is done and he will reach SAI centre on monday. I will ensure top national coaches to conduct his trials properly. We are team @narendramodi ji and will do everything to identity sporting talents! https://t.co/RF7KMfIHAD

¡ª Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 15, 2020

The problem

Some thought of Gowda as an impostor from the very beginning. For them, an SAI trial would prove his true capabilities and show to the world that he owed his speed to the buffaloes. These people were hungry for proof.

This is the problem. 'Trial by social media¡¯ means everyone has an opinion about everything and anything. Most 'profiles' online feel it's their democratic right to question the next possible big name, which is why attempts to sway public opinion in countless tweets are aplenty. I still remember when people called the Hyderabad encounter as the police's attempt to quell public outrage.

Even in the case of the Kambala Jockey people decided what he deserves, what he would want. He is fast, make him run for the country. If someone can dance well, make them dance on DID. If someone can sing well, they HAVE to be on Indian Idol.

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Gowda says "Nope."

Whether these people run, dance or sing for their own pleasure, the simple fact is that their talent being recognised is enough for some of them. But why does no one bother to even think about that? Why won't we let someone's hobby remain a hobby?

Social media pressures the ¡®talented¡¯ to be more than they are, more than they might even want to be.

Srinivasa Gowda declined the invitation to appear for the trials (at least till the Kambala festival is over). He has clearly set his priorities. He did not immediately give in to social media pressure. Of course, there is a possibility that he might want to appear for SAI trials. But one cannot deny that social media has almost forced that decision on him.

One possibility is he was forced to take on the trials because of the pressure to prove himself. The simple fact that he did not immediately accept the invitation proves that for him the immediate is more important. He has been participating in the Kambala race for the past eight years. He, like many other Kambala jockeys, is good at it.

Last word

Is it too much to ask that we respect the sport for just what it is? Does a Kambala jockey have to run in the Olympics? Can people not just be good at whatever it is they're doing now? There are, as we have seen, many other jockeys who are good at the sport. So, why not promote the sport and not one person?

Srinivasa Gowda will either impress or disappoint people during his trials. If it is the former and he decided not to actually pursue it, he might be termed selfish. If it is the latter, his overnight fame could be termed a fluke, his victory a failure, he a fake.