Computer security and internet privacy notwithstanding, you might as well live your life in a bubble if you experience paranoia every time someone says something about you.
The more willing you are to share yourself, the more accepting other people will view you.
The visual layout of the world wide web implies interconnected transparent circles and opaque lines. People are social by definition, so the concept of social media oughtn’t be hard to comprehend. Still, people (and I’m sure you know many, of all ages) would rather do anything than be themselves on the internet. Why is this?
When laundromat washing machines tweet their availability and plants tell you they need water, that is hypostatization at its finest. If non-humans can be programmed to tweet, surely humans can step out of their bubbles. Forget neo-Luddism. This is historical evolution and human destiny.
MySpace, Facebook, and other social networking sites succeed not so much because of what you say, but because of how you look and how you’re viewed. Facebook profiles without avatar enhancement would fail for the same reason business cards with pictures are more memorable than those without. You don’t have to be yourself, but if you opt to have a donkey represent you, you will always be viewed as an ass.
There are places for equestrian lovers online; and if that is what it takes for asses to be themselves, so be it. Until then, please consider escaping your bubbles from time to time so the rest of us can learn who you are.
Here’s a simple way to share yourself: Please add a comment below and write about a prank you pulled on someone else (such as what I did on this blog) for April Fools Day, or how you were duped.
Photo credit: Leo Dirac, with a hat tip to Ken George
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{ 14 comments }
Twitter: kikolani
April 2, 2010 at 1:47 AM
I really didn’t pull any April Fool’s pranks. I helped spread a few around though, including the one by my company on Google creating their own SEO agency. My input on that one (which I think was left out) was that if Google were to do such a thing, there would not be a fixed fee but a bidding war on who would be #1 for a particular keyword, considering they could guarantee one #1 spot to some lucky site.
.-= From Kristi @ Blogging Tips to you: Google to open SEO agency called Google SEO =-.
Which keywords would have more bidding wars than others?
Hey Kristi, I wish Google never think like that other wise countless online SEO firm will die and money play a big role in term of search engine traffic and we small blogger must have left the space or should united to build another Google because blogger only do this if financially backuped.
Anyway, Ari you are right, one have to expand their bubble as much as possible if they want to interact in this web aka social world. If someone want to be something secret then s/he will be secret too.
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Can you participate online from a bubble?
As I like my privacy, I really want to be in a bubble but my bubble is slightly bigger than those people your are talking about. Practically speaking we are all in a bubble, some live in small and some live in big one.
.-= From Arafat Hossain Piyada to you: Make fishing profitable with Sonar Sensor fish finder =-.
Really if you want to be successful with social sites, you have to kn ow how to play your game ie expand bubbles as you have called it. Social networks have the ability to make content go “viral” if done effectively…
Thanks for the post
Does the network have the viral ability — or the people in the network? I say the latter; you?
I get a good chuckle from the conspiracy junkies. Personally say what you want about me, just be careful saying it to me.
LOL
I thought probloggers prank was pretty clever.
.-= From Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing to you: Blog Comments and Blog Comment Contests – Lets Chat about Paying for Comments =-.
With social networking getting more and more popular people are going to have to learn how to come out of their bubbles if they really want to be successful. I often find that when I venture from a “safe zone” that is when I find some of the best people to connect with online.
Oh, and for pranks, I like to hide with my two little ones when my husband comes home and then we jump out and scare him. Mean huh? LOL
.-= From Tiffany @ Passive Income to you: My Keyword Academy Case Study for Passive Income – Choosing a Keyword and Domain for My Niche Website =-.
What is your safe zone? When do you feel unsafe?
“If you opt to have a donkey represent you, you will always be viewed as an ass.”
I love it. That was gold.
I didn’t pull or personally fall prey to any April Fools jokes or pranks this year. Lucky me! I’m sure my friends will find a way to make up for that next year though…
Hey Ari great post and I have to say I really liked your April fools prank, I ended up reading it on another blog and will be heading over to it here shortly. I pulled a prank that I was pulling the plug, which probably would have made plenty of people happy. Haha.
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I tried to put up a prank but failed since friend said he knew me too well to be fooled. I agree about the anonymity on the web. I use my real name and if needed I´m able to be contacted.
I did not have the pleasure or misfortune to dupe or duped this April Fools, which is odd, since I am the gullible type and usually very easy to fool. I will agree with you though, that people need to get out there and say something about themselves. I enjoy singing opera.
Just like that – see! But seriously, whatever happened to the age old “any press is good press” motto that media used to embody?
I really want to ride in one of those bubble things though.
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