We all know that social networking has changed the world in many ways, namely it has changed the way people do things, from the way we look at our online diary journals to the way business is done and what seems to always stir the pot, the reactions to what politicians write on their walls!
Once upon a time not all that long ago it was considered taboo to read a persons diary journal, in fact it resulted in friendships breaking, family members not talking to each other and some much worse scenarios. Today if one posts a diary journal on a social network it is almost war if your friends do not “Like it, Upvote it, Share it, ReSteem, retweet.... etc etc etc”
Just looking at that change in the way we perceive and react to the same thing is mindblowing!
We have changed our perception of people as well, we look at their social network profiles, their walls and base a large chunk of our opinions and views upon what we read and see there. We use these networks to communicate, to exchange ideas, to promote businesses, charities, organizations and in some cases even start revolutions. There are those that abuse social networks as with anything in life, these people are everywhere, no matter where they are on our planet the internet gives them the ability to be all over the internet, to misrepresent themselves as being someone and something that they are not all in the attempt to commit outright fraud.
We could say that social networking has become somewhat of an artform, where people are constantly trying to gain attention, where there is a power struggle for popularity. No matter what social network it is, there are always those who want to be the most popular, the attention seekers. Some do it because they are literally sicko’s and need some serious help and medication, others do it because it is business related. Some just go with the flow, the sheep as I call them.
Only a small percentage use social networks as they would do in real life situations. These individuals are very often the victims of the sheep who gang up and attack like a pack of wolves, because they want to get noticed. Some attack because they are afraid of the idea that an individual gets more popularity than them (a sheep) and so on.... All in all as in real life the individuals are the most vulnerable members of these societies, because sooner or later they shall get ripped apart by “wanna be’s”.
How many times have we all seen some avatars/profile pictures that are fake? Or should I say of some calendar girl or model or who knows who!
How many times have we read posts that we know are not reflections of the true nature of a person? (especially if we know them in real life)
How many times have we been conned into thinking or believing something that isn’t true?
For those among us who have been victims of some of the virtual gangbashing, the question could be “How many times have you read lies posted about you?”
So what it too often boils down to is the fact that too many people on social networks in their attempts to gain virtual popularity for what ever the reason resort to fraud and lies and other deceiving and manipulating means to get their desired results.
Now, being a conartist was an art, today we have more conartists and wanna be conartists on social networks then there are penguins down in Antarctica.
The idea that someone wants to achieve online what they couldn’t and can’t achieve in real life is understandable. The internet and social networks in particular have given people an entire new world in which they have the ability to control how people perceive them. So it isn’t a crime to do what ever it takes to gain popularity, but it does cast a shadow on the entire idea of what we are doing on these social networks and where to draw the line.
Too many people cross that line, because they are trying so hard to get the popularity that they so dearly want that they forget who and what they really are. How many hours, days, weeks, months and years have some people put into their profiles and the final result is that they are living a lie! Scary thought, if you ask me.
When the motivation is “$” (money) then some may say that they are doing what it takes to achieve their goals.
Fraud is fraud, and frauds are not welcome anywhere in this world. People who deliberately use means of fraud to achieve their financial goals go through life knowing very well that they have committed fraud. No matter how much they may comfort themselves with the thought of “I have money”, they know deep down inside of themselves that they are worthless scum. Again, a very scary thought as to just how many people out there have to live with this burden.
What it really boils down to is that people should be themselves and understand that not everything that they write is something that shall be shared/retweeted/resteemed by six billion people. The people who work their way up without all the BS and who don’t bother trying to take down others because the other person is more “popular” shall sure as anything make it to the top. Maybe not as quickly or as boldly, but gradually and without all the burdens and nightmares that the frauds have to go to bed with every night!
Just be yourself, that doesn’t mean that you have the right to do anything you want to do, what it means is that you can be yourself and with the millions of people on social networks around the world you are bound to hook up with others who like you for who and what you are, with all your shortcomings and all your virtues. When you get there, it will be the sheep who shall follow you and not the idiots, it will be the wanna be’s who shall further help build your ranking, they will be doing all the work for you, and you alone. You won’t have to work overtime trying to pretend or lie your way through things. You have done what no fraud out there shall ever do. You worked your way to the top and you can enjoy it!
This may have been a little harsh for some people to hear, but it is the truth!
Your life is your life and be who and what you are, we will love you all the more for it!
& as long as you understand that not everything is as it seems, or is as said to be on social networks, you are on a safe and sound road to achieving all your set goals the right way, the responsible, sincere and honest way.
& don’t worry about ratting out the conartists, they rat themselves out, & be aware of those who can not handle the fact that you are who and what you say you are while they are so desperately trying to live a lie about themselves, they are the dirtiest of them all.
Just sharing some thoughts, based on experiences on other social networks that I have been on in the past.
I’ve learned many a thing the hard way, so if anyone here accepts my thoughts expressed here as a way to approach their social networking experience this post then is worth a billion dollars in upvotes, yet I do know that it won’t happen (as mentioned earlier).
Steem on my fellow Steemians.
Life is full of surprises and wonders, don’t waste it on lies and things that shall burden you, enjoy it, we are all individuals and that is the beauty that you have to share here on this social network!
Great post Jack.
I love the sentiments buddy.
Just saying it as I see it.
listen im trying to be someone else today ok? :-)
I'm just going to be myself!