Is Social Media Really the Real You?

Back in high school, while most were dating, I’d be smack dab in front of the computer, chatting and downloading.

This predates the Internet, back to the days of Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) and dial-up modem connections.

This goes way back to the days when CompuServe and America Online were king, and only a handful of people actually knew what email was, let alone had it.

I’d chat with some dude named “The Terminator” about his BBS named “The Forbidden Zone,” or with another system operator (called Sysop in BBS slang) named “Mike Donovan” about his “V-BBS.” I remember having long debates in the chat forums with “Tiny Dancer,” “Mayor Hardin,” and someone that called himself “Thing.”

On these dial-up computer networks, everyone went by a handle, some even taking on the persona or character of their chosen name in the chats, by typing as if they really were The Terminator, or whoever else they chose to be.

As BBS computer networks were a basis for the Internet as we know it today, it got me thinking – just how real are the people we chat with online now?

Just as it was back in the era of the BBS, it’s not very hard to log onto any social network site, make up an assumed name, and post content under that assumed identity.

Twitter has tried to prevent people from assuming celebrity identities, by verifying such accounts – but even these verifications can be faked.

I get posts all the time from Albert Einstein on Google+ -- and although I’m honored that one of the greatest minds of the Twentieth Century shares his thoughts with me, Einstein died long before the two young men who created Google were even born.

I also get posts from Planet Earth on Google+ -- which is even more interesting, because I didn’t know the Earth could talk.

Clearly, someone on Google+ is posting under Einstein and the Earth’s identities, which brings us back to the original question, how real are we on our social networks?

We grow friends, fans and followers on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, Pinterest and the rest. But even if we are posting as ourselves, under our real names, are we really real?

Do we really share what is actually happening right now in our lives online? And if we do, do others really care?

Just how different are you online from the real life person you are, in the real world?

Do your posts reflect the real you?

How would I know that?

How would you know that my posts are really me?

This social networking thing is really confusing.

Best Way to Grow Your Social Network – Be

Admit it, you want to be popular. We all do. Especially on the social networks, where popularity sometimes seems to usurp quality of content.

 

But don’t worry content – your day is here, always. Most of the time. Unless you post a picture of a cute cat frolicking in the flowers, or some motivational quote by Albert Einstein, or a picture of a hot chick in a skimpy outfit.

Damn those meaningless over-hyped content-draining time wasters!

Although those meaningless over-hyped content-draining time wasters get lots of “likes” and “+1” those moments are short lived.

Just as quick as images of cute kittens appear, they fall by the wayside for the stuff that not only will increase your fans, friends and followers, but keep them engaged and tuned into your posts.

So what’s the best way to grow your social network, against mind numbing cuteness?

Just Be.

Be Bold.

Be Brave.

Be Present.

Be anything you are, right here and right now.

By being you, just as you are, you are providing content online no one else can – you’re being you.

Think about that.

There is only one YOU.

(Unless you have an evil twin – then I can’t help you.)

But for most of us, there really is only one YOU.

And as individuals, we have our own styles, hobbies, interests, senses of humor, personalities, and most importantly life experiences.

There’s the rub!

A little lower. Ah that hits the spot. . . 

Life experiences even of those who attend the same event are different – influenced by each person’s own perspectives, education, biases and all the diverse things that make us all unique from one another.

Better yet, by sharing the bits and pieces of our lives, we engage others online, as we key into the personal nature of the information being shared, and that ignites a sense of closeness which you can’t get from some meaningless over-hyped content-draining time waster.

Of all my tweets, blogs and posts which I share on the social networks, the ones that get the most responses to are the ones where I’m just being me.

So let that be a lesson to you – just be you.