Remember Andre Agassi uttering the words "Image is Everything" on the Canon camera commercial from the 90's?
(Speaking of the 90's, did anything culturally significant actually take place in this nebulous decade?)
"Image is everything".................almost as iconic as.. "Nothing comes between me and my Calvins"....how did that grab you in the 80s?.......a little Brooke Shields and Andre Agassi tie in.
Because I used to create advertising for a living and understand the basic Wilson Brian Key tutorial behind the stuff...I wanted to talk a little about Facebook and image.
If we really are "the sum of our actions" (Aristotle)...... do we manufacture a social facade on the net that is so surprisingly complex, it actually acts as a giant pseudo replacement character.
It has the time and perspective carefully built-in and represents that side of us that we wish was our real projection in face time.
Is it like putting on a public mask that doesn't quite fit?
What i am getting at in my pedantic little way, is that you can inheritently feel the plethora of untruths when you look through certain peoples profiles on Facebook. You can feel them trying to project confidence, and twist expertise in areas that you sense that they are at the very best...slightly insecure in. (I think it is just human nature to want to look well rounded)
On the other hand....one gets the feeling that some people just naturally understand the best way to manipulate their image in a way that would be interesting to others. They massage it......just a little bit towards accomplishment one day.....and then....just a little bit towards whimsy the next.
What is identity? Is it your perception of the sum total of all your experiences or is it something more? Surely, what other people see...is generally leaps and bounds away from what you perceive yourself to be. Ego or no ego. Lets move on.
Do you really want to post.... that you are sitting at home eating your second bag of potato chips, farting and watching a show based on a group of Addicts that go out to night clubs and get obnoxious. It may save you the physical pounding of doing it yourself, but it may not be the picture of self-determination that you really want to share.
In real life.....perhaps there is a guy who doesn't see himself as being a great ladies man for example..Other than in cyberspace...he certainly has never really picked up that model or actress and taken her back to the hotel.(I pity him..lol)..
The experience was just been synthesized by watching a movie.... All of a sudden, you will see a series of photographs on Facebook that intimate that this kind of adventure has actually taken place, with this guy and an entourage,(of many) under a blood red sky... in Monte Carlo...I am reaching here, but you get the idea. Why not?
I noticed that I recently included a photo of myself with my famous second cousin on my profile. What kind of insecurity was that born out of? It doesn't particularly wreak of self-confidence and modesty. More work needs to be done Lynn.
Is it alright to manipulate your image? We are all really tuned into the station of "I hope I am admired and look youthful in the process"...............Heaven forbid if I get too many people telling me what a great guy I am..........I will immediately need the meditation chamber and a good kick in the ass......That's my reality.
On the bright side of life. Some people are just genuine..You sense their honesty on all levels. They are not scared to show you their insecurities and shortcomings, whether it is on Facebook or in person. They wouldn't think of manipulating the PR machine.
They are not really that self involved, every conversation is really not about them... they are good listeners.. The thing that intrigues me about these people is the easy way they get lost in their own quests for new experiences and the shared joy along the way. They are wonderfully infectious. I love these people. There is a refreshing simplicity in their honesty.
I could name a few of these people, but I don't want to embarrass them..Perhaps I will just tell them in person, the old-fashioned way.
The last thing that was resonating with me today was this idea that we create this image and put it out there for old friends and new acquaintances to see. It will stay out there now, electronically, as posted, for years to come..(Energy is neither created or destroyed)
Will we look back and be completely disgusted by what we were trying to achieve behind the transparent walls of our own maniacal insecurity?..........or will we say........yeah...that was me.....I love the furniture I am sitting on in that profile picture..........It really articulates the way I was feeling back in 2011.
"Image is everything" and then there is me.
Rick
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