So, I open my digital NY Times today with a sigh of relief that I can avoid inky fingers for another week. Of course, I won’t give up my “real” Sunday edition because I love being able to feel the copy in my hands (even with the ink issues). Sometimes, you can’t beat the real thing. It connects the writer in me with all of those who preceded me. History at my fingertips. Irreplaceable.
Getting back to the news, I notice the headline, “Got Twitter? You’ve Been Scored“, and was stopped in my tracks. What? Since I’ve been lurking in the shadows of these social networks, I figured that I better learn what this is about real fast. Sure, I’ve heard of the premise, but come on. I’ve never been one to try to fit in, so I didn’t see the rush to jump on board when everyone else tweeted, posted, or did whatever everyone does to connect online. Not trying to be a rebel, but just trying to be myself. Unique.
And now, I find out that someone’s gone behind our backs and is trying to give us all social scores based on our ability to influence the world. At first glance, it seems ludicrous because the information is subjective. There are people out there who’ve perfected the game of social media. They bask in the glory of seeing their name in lights, everywhere. It’s taken on the appearance of an Olympic event. Considering that the Net is still like a wild frontier, it seems a bit early to try to corral something that’s still pretty untamed.
That’s when I made my realization, and felt the panic recede. Companies out there think that they’ve got the hang of networking and are just trying to bring the physical world onto the Net. Marketers are drooling at the possibilities. Considering that most of them started well after the birth of social media, the whole thing seems a bit cocky to me. Hopefully, they’re not expecting to hit the stratosphere score of “god-like” on their first try! Because they’ll be in for a big disappointment when they’re beat by a teenager. Even the physical world wears a mask. Nothing is at it seems.
Well, I wish them a lot of luck in this new and pointless endeavor. Sure, there’ll be a lot of people fixating on their social scores like they do their credit scores. But you’ll probably have a lot of people, like me, who won’t give a crap about their standings. My digital self is my physical self. Because I know who I am, and refuse to wear any costume.
So, here are some questions for you:
- Do you care about what everyone else sees, or what you see?
- Is your digital self leaving something tangible that you’ll be proud of?
- Isn’t it time to break this endless cycle of popularity?
- Is this the real you?
If you’re comfortable with being ranked and cataloged, then welcome to your new world. But if you’re like me, then continue to use creativity to stand apart from the rest of the world. You won’t be alone at the bottom. And you’ll be able to relax and remember that you’re only human. Nobody’s perfect in reality.
