Who are you? Are you that profile on Facebook? That resume on LinkedIn? Are you the sum of your RSS feeds?
We can define and refine who we are in an instant online, by a keystroke, by a new avatar; we can mutate instantly to someone we like better. But really, who are we? We can broadcast our mood instantly across social networks , we can be loud, bright, dark, pensive, jaded, frothy, optimistic, the whole spectrum can flash across your keyboard to the world in seconds. And we are all watching it live online.
Before You Hit That Button
We sit quietly in front of our monitors and post our thoughts, thinking out loud, typing it out loud to the world. Is that what you really wanted to say? Would you say that out loud? And would you really show that photograph to everyone from your best friend to the guy in the cubicle next to you? Our Id, our inner beast has been unleashed, the internet has allowed us to release it from its prison of social morality and rules, and it runs wild across your screen and then flies from satellite to satellite bursting through the firewalls to the desktop of friends and strangers.
Say What?
We mind our words in a social setting, there are just some things best kept to ourselves and not for public consumption. However with the anonymity of the internet we spew off thoughts without filters, we can post our deepest thoughts, fears, biases and desires without having the fear of being ostracized or judged by society. Even in our known identities on social networks such as Facebook, we might be more open to sharing how we feel than we would in public. We allow others to glimpse into our private thoughts and to join in on the conversation.
"Friend me on Facebook"
We have become an amalgamation of our off and online lives, we are learning in fits and starts of this new line of communication; the possibilities and the pitfalls. Like the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, we are of two minds in the same body; and we have to learn to live together, to work together to keep one from overtaking the other. And once we do, we will truly know who we are.
Image: Ophelia Chong/ A Beautiful Web
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I for one am getting a little fatigued with reading the mundane daily doings of people. Does anyone really need to know that you just brushed your teeth or that you just yawned or woke up?
Is it "being of 2 minds?" Or many? Either way, I think it's always been all about convergence - from ancient times to high-tech times. Like going back to some old communal roots in a very individualistic manner. Thanks for this post, O.
Hi Amp,
Yes, it is "being of 2 minds", and can they co-exist? Is this evolution? The Evolution of communication from communal fireside to communal via wifi. :O)
ophelia
Hi Jeff,
I am drinking tea. You are right, where does non-essential information become just white noise? It is the 21st century of elevator music, we only put up with up to get to where we need to be.
:O)
ophelia
I agree with Jeff. Too many trivial "status updates" on Facebook and inane tweets on Twitter from people. I don't need to know that you just trimmed your toenails!
There certainly is a balance of plugging-in and unplugging. What is shared and not shared. How authentic and honest should one be? Learning to edit ones self is challenging. Like many, I'm still navigating this new social medium. Still wonder why I'm so drawn to it, and why it feels good to let people into my daily moments. I can think of one. When I feel happy inside, like when my kitty gives me those lovely scratchy purring kisses, it is so lovely and sweet that I just want to share it. I don't really care who reads my daily comments, it just feels good to get it out there. Comments from others just add a new layer and bonus to my daily journal (complete with links, videos and images). Sometimes I learn something new about myself, helping to answer the constant question of Who am I?
Dear Michael,
So true. Unless you are a fiend for trivia and minutiae, then you would be in hog heaven.
:O) ophelia
Dear Teri,
Those moments that are bits of happiness and joy in your life bring a smile to your friends, and need to be shared. We write for ourselves and in that we learn a bit more each day.
:O) ophelia