(Disclaimer: This post is a few random thoughts I’ve had lately. There’s no real conclusion, though I wouldn’t call it a rant, either. At any rate, I’m interested in your thoughts.)
It’s natural to look for a common denominator when “friending” folks. Be it real estate, sports, politics, marketing or any other interest or passion. When we do that, are we falling to a narcissistic trap?
The *ME* in Social Media
I love the channels and opportunities social media have created for self-expression and voyeurism. It’s fun to take a peek into other’s lives. And, it’s interesting to watch the emergence of “Internet Stars”. But, are they/we taking our own PR too seriously? Are egos inflating to a degree where it’s just plain icky?
It’s All About Me
Speaking of Social Media Narcissists … They participate heavily in conversations, but if you really follow the stream they chatter mostly about themselves. And, they have created huge followings without meaningful contributions. (But to be fair, *meaningful* is subjective.)
Their blogs and tweets are almost exclusively about themselves, their thoughts, their pictures. But, I think many of us could be categorized that way. How would you define a Social Media Narcissist??
Same Bubble, Only Larger
If we continue interaction only with like-thinkers, will that enclose us in a bubble? And could that cause a false reality?
Think about it …
When we surround ourselves with like-thinkers, the isolation limits the perspective. When the same thoughts and ideas are regurgitated, and most everyone agrees with everyone else the lack of differing perspective seems to create a false reality.
Is Being Open-Minded Enough?
If there is nobody to share differing perspectives, what good is having an open mind? Without that stimulation, we place ourselves in an echo chamber forever listening to the same topics over and over again. Seems that can lead to boredom and burnout. Could that isolation cause people to engage less frequently?
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ahhh…the never ending thoughts on Social Media. I’ve had some of those myself. Personally, I have learned a lot from folks with different perspectives, not saying I change my mind but it does bring an understanding of where those views are coming from.
LOL it is fun to take a peak into people’s lives. It is also fun to catch up and reconnect with people that we knew in high school and college. One of my team members just flew to N.J for a get together with 3 friends she reconnected with on facebook . She had a ball.
Brandie:
Solid stream of consciousness there, pretty sweet.
I’m definitely with you on some of that stuff. There’s a heck of a lot of I I I me me me in a heck of a lot of the posts.
I don’t really enjoy or learn much from the political posts, or posts about near random subjects, which really have no impact on anything.
I prefer the posts about tangible topics, basically the nuts n bolts types of posts where there’s a real possibility of learning something useful and applicable.
But you know, that’s just me. (more iii me me me)
RM
I think a lot of us me included try to use too much of this as self promotion. After all we are all trying to make a buck when you get down to it. We are all using this to build businesses and gain friends and a possible advantage on the competition.
Yes it is a place to learn but there are truly only a very few that post anything of interest worth taking the time to read and learn. They mostly post links to sites they learned from and that is helpful but sometimes the links are in such a tech talk language none of the non super tech people (like me) can understand it.
I try not to follow people that are like minded/employed if possible. Sometimes I do it just to snoop.
It’s a social media occupational hazard, “drinking your own kool-aid”.
Nice reminder, keep you eye on the prize. What’s the prize? More biz? Fun? Fame? Broadcast?
Cheers.