A few days ago, I saw a video floating around on Facebook and Twitter – it was a speech by Scott Stratten, otherwise known as @unmarketing. Often, when you see speeches or videos flying around, you almost want to avoid clicking because you know it just can’t be as good as everyone is saying. However, I decided to give this one a chance. Here it is:
Before watching this speech, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what Scott Stratten was about. Sure he had done some really amazing and cool things for charity, and I had heard that he was a really nice guy. But I had also seen some of his speeches, seen some of his Tweets, and I’m in the process of reading Unmarketing, Scott’s book. I thought, “Ok, this is one of those guys who really is nice but who likes to give the impression that they are kind of jerky and intimidating.”
Can you still feel that way after watching his speech?
I admit that I had drawn conclusions about Scott based on what I had seen on Twitter and in his book. I was wrong. I only had skimmed the surface.
What’s happening away from that computer?
All of us who use Social Media have a small fence drawn around us and our computers when we sit there. To different extents, we like to create personas for ourselves online. We determine what people will learn about us through our online activities. And yet, it always seems surprising to us that people draw conclusions about us based on what they see through our Facebook updates or our tweets.
Factually, you can’t really know the whole story of a person just based on what they do in the world of Social Media. It’s easy to think that you do because, after all you see this person “talking” to you perhaps on a daily basis. But there is that whole world extending beyond that little fence that ties you to your computer. We don’t get to see what goes on there most of the time.
I have learned an important lesson beyond what Scott presents in his speech. You don’t really have a true fix on people based on their Social Media presence. You aren’t really seeing their entire life story. You don’t really know everything that is going on around them.
Will this affect how you interact with people? Will this affect how you yourself act on Social Media sites? For me, it is something to ponder.
None of us are Atticus Finch, living the same clear lives in our living rooms as we do on the street. Social Media is the street corner, as much as we like to behave like it’s our collective den. However, it’s not until we forge connections beyond the public spaces that we actually know people.
Alternately – http://bit.ly/6hQPBF
Thanks so much for linking to your post, Ian. It’s hard to believe I didn’t know you and so many other people a mere 11 months ago. Glad I do now 🙂
Too bad I am really a terrible person in real life. You’re going to be so surprised and disappointed 🙂
Ah, but the masks extends far beyond social media and computers. It delves deep into the realms of psychology and philosophy, prompting you to ask yourself, “Am I really me?”
“Who am I? Who is the REAL me?”
It then straddles to the next level, “Who are you? Who is the real you?”
Authenticity is hard to fathom, like peeling the skin off onions. After you’ve peeled all the layers, the question is, is it still an onion?
Cheers!
Wow, that’s why I missed your comments! Deep deep deep.
Is an onion still an onion? Hm. Well, if it isn’t itself, what else could it be? Enquiring minds want to know 🙂
We only know what people tell us and reality is that people tells us what they want us to know. We tell people what we want them to know … sounds so cold however we know it to be true. Some people have a very decorated life that is hard for many to handle as it is one thing after another and it takes it toll on many. Result = they stop telling people.
We all have stories and Scott’s is one that keeps on challenging him. His repeating of keep on going – that is what we are told to do. Tomorrow is going to be a better day. Yup, cuz tomorrow will bring nothing but unicorns and rainbows. Time heals all wounds until new ones are opened during that time. I just think that we become comfortably numb and keep going.
I admire Scott’s strength as it is not easy to put it all out there as once you do, you are responsible to answering and talking about it.
I guess the words of my dear friend Lucinda, as a friend this is what I signed up for and I would not have it any other way.
Hi Margie – totally agree that we only skim the surface on social media – and even with in-person networking.
I recently got to know a small group of people I’ve been networking with in person for a year or so – and how different they become when I spent three solid hours in the same room. Much more interesting and ‘real’!
Cathy