On Facebook recently a friend asked others to make up a story about how they met her and post it. I noticed a couple others doing something similar.
The request was made in fun and the results an interesting exercise in creative writing.
What struck me, however, was the potential for confusion. Even when others aren’t intentionally making things up, I’ve noticed how inaccurate accounts can be, especially once they’ve been passed on through others.
I have a hard time remembering where I had lunch on Friday, so I never sign up for ambiguity and confusion, nor invite it.
Julia Allison is famous for making herself famous. This is an example of self-promotion, if you will, trumping self to promote.
Maybe unreality management is the inevitable next step. If our reality isn’t interesting enough, then make something up that will be more interesting and viral.
For me, making up stories about “how we met” would be an interesting parlor game (given enough adult beverages), but I’m not tracking with the concept as a social media device.
Managing reality is hard enough for most of us.
Great article Mark!
I agree with you totally & appreciate the stand. If we spent as much time focusing on making our reality the best, we would be surprised what accomplishments we would master!
Here are my similar thoughts.
http://genevamurphy.wordpress.com/2010/06/09/farmville-avatar-escape-from-reality/
I appreciate your wisdom & daily contribution to my personal development.
Blessings,
g
While I agree most people have a hard time dealing with reality it is often times the person who deals with unreality the best that innovates. If it were not for unrealistic dreams and expectations, would we be communicating today, on this platform? Its hard to say.
Cale, you make an interesting point. I’m a believer in aiming for the unreasonable knowing that even if you don’t achieve it you will achieve more than you would have gotten had you aimed lower.
So in terms of innovation, the ability to “suspend” reality in the pursuit of new ideas makes good sense.
In the world of social media, our brands, reputations and persona lives, it seems different to me. It seems to be first about amusement (nothing wrong with that) but secondarily about creating unreality with no higher cause than “because I can.”
I like Geneva’s take on focusing on making reality better. There are tangible benefits to that.