As the world continues to come to terms with the result of the recent US presidential election, it seems the culture that many say bred the result in the first place is out in full force. At least, that’s what Sydney electronic duo Flight Facilities reckon is going on.

The ARIA Award winners took to their official Facebook page on Friday to share their thoughts on the outcome of the election, which saw Donald Trump named as America’s next leader in place of Hillary Clinton, whom many, even official pollsters, assumed was a lock to take out the White House.

In the post, the duo call the election “one of the greatest reality checks of our time” and suggest that perhaps the new online echo chamber culture in which we are seldom exposed to differing opinions and “delete, ignore, insult or pigeonhole” them when we are, effectively created President Trump.

“Instead of kicking, screaming and insulting, maybe it’s time to stop, look around, and look inward as to exactly how this has happened. Protesting and rioting in response to a democratically held election, undermines the fabric on which a great country was built,” they write.

“Sometimes things don’t go the way we want them to. That’s life. But if we live by the mentality of turning to violence and intimidation when things don’t go our way, why should we expect our adversaries to take the higher ground when it does?”

“There’s a cultural divide that has taken place, and the world is trying to point the finger, yet nobody wants to look at themselves. We’ve created a pop-culture, internet generation. A generation of people who have lost the ability to challenge their own preconceptions.”

“We pick our friends on Facebook. We choose who we follow on Instagram. We select who to follow on twitter. And then delete, ignore, insult or pigeonhole anyone who differs from us, instead of asking ‘Why?'”

The post was reminiscent of a video shared by British satirical character Jonathan Pie that same day. A clip that has since gone viral and accrued some 20 million views and 173,000 likes on Facebook and been shared almost 301,000 times.

However, despite the thoughtfulness behind the post, and the many good points made, many have slammed the duo for the missive, accusing them of having an “uninformed and incredibly privileged take” and reminding them that protest is a fundamental part of democracy.

“Democracy also gave us Mike Baird but you’ve happily supported the Keep Sydney Open protests,” one commenter wrote. “Why are the Sydney lockout laws somehow more important than the rights of millions of American women, POC, and LGBTQ people?”

“It’s easy for white, straight men to shout their opinions at the world, but that doesn’t mean they always should,” they continued, echoing the sentiments of many in the comments section. “Interesting PR move, guys. Sticking your necks in something you think you understand, but clearly don’t. Bye,” another commenter wrote.

“Perhaps if you saw the young, heartbroken, minority groups crying in the streets… like I did… You would have thought twice about posting this status. Currently it does nothing but cement the fact that you are white males with no understanding of how hard life really can be. Perhaps volunteer here? Donate money? Actually educate yourself. This does nothing.”

However, some wrote in support of the duo. “This commentary is brilliant,” read one response. “People need to engage themselves in the entire dialogue before spitting fire.”

“I understand how people feel hurt and betrayed by the outcome of this election, but the majority of voters on the other side didn’t cast their vote with the intention to damn America and its citizens. Sure there are Trump supporters who are absolutely nuts, beyond racist… but I’ve also seen hateful, unjust rhetoric from countless Hillary supporters. There will always be rotten apples.”

You can check out Flight Facilities’ full post and make up your own mind below. Ask yourself: are Flight Facilities indeed being myopic and not seeing the bigger, grimmer picture or does the wave of hate just prove their point?

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