Dooley Noted: 7/18/2014
I think it’s fascinating that people find social media to be a true representation of oneself and others. What a changing psychology!
I see people select only the best pictures and only post the things they perceive as most positive. It started to get me thinking: they are not making themselves relatable.
Tough moments happen.
I tried to change my end of the culture to bring the real. I am warm but with edges, and I wanted to represent myself with truth.
You can post and tag me in anything you want. I speak freely and don’t seek popularity. My blog is for myself, and others seem to enjoy and benefit from it. In many of my videos, I don’t wear makeup on purpose and encourage you to post any picture you want.
Scary truth. But is even that the truth?
Do we even want the truth? After all, your perception is your reality. Your perception IS your truth.
If you create a status stating you’re happy, then you are, yes? Maybe.
If you only post pictures of you looking your best, then that’s your reality, yes? Maybe.
People think what they want. Yet, we make attempts on social media to shape how they think – how we think.
I actually had a woman come up to me at a seminar, after I wrangled up a rowdy, disrespectful group of students.
She said, “Kathy, are you okay? You seem edgy.”
I replied, “Ah, if you spent some time with me – you’d realize this IS me. I AM edgy.”
She saw me a certain way on social media and was shocked when I didn’t match her perception. And here I was, thinking my social media contribution gave a true representation of self!
It comes down to one simple dichotomy.
We can choose to give people a chance to show themselves. Or, we can judge them on preconceived notions.
We may only know them via social media. So our cyber perception is our only perception.
My partner in this life gave me some research articles on this changing psychology. You can find them below.
I hope you put social media to good use. I’ll admit, I’m still trying to figure out how to use it in the most healthy ways I can.
As always, it’s your call.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley
http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/08/19/213568763/researchers-facebook-makes-us-sadder-and-less-satisfied
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0069841