Our Online Image

As I sit here watching SNL & drinking what used to be Absolut Brooklyn, I can't help but wonder why people always find the worst examples of a persons character on the Internet.  YouTube videos publicize our worst moments to causal passerby's, Facebook ends relationships, the media airs nothing but the worst of the days events, and Craigslist gets people killed... (seriously, that free couch might cost you more than you'd think)  I remember a scene from a documentary by Michael Moore where the local news channel camera crew was asked why don't they show positive moments? The film crew simply countered with something along the lines of we give the people what they want to see. Is it human nature to seek out our worst moments? Or is bad news the best kind of news? One of the reasons why I left Facebook was because of my concerns over public image.  Is the person on that profile really me? Yes I'm tagged in the pictures, alongside my real life friends but what kind of message does my profile send to others about my life? I kicked the habit in efforts to gain control over how other people perceive me.  

I just wish there was way to publicize nothing but good things people do.  A website that posts nothing but our best moments, and at the same time attracting the same billions that flock to Facebook daily.  This of course, will probably never happen because humans are more entertained by our failures rather than our successes.  Far too often society skips over our accomplishments and skip straight to the "good" stuff. I say we challenge ourselves.  Challenge ourselves to resist this intrinsic urge to see the worst moments and seek out the best in people.  I have achieved much in life but all it takes is a simple Google search of my name to find the worst moments of not only myself but also of my family. Does Google write algorithms such that the search results are ordered this way or is it merely coincidence that most of my online personal information is negative? Shit I can't even find records of my degree, my GPA, my High School diploma, or my participation in several non-profits on 'The Google'. I can't help but wonder, if the Internet is so neutral why are its search results so biased? I suppose I share part of the blame. Its my fault that I didn't put my accomplishments out there for all to see. I suppose I am as much to blame for my online image. I could've posted pictures of my shining moments just the same as I posted everything else. Oh wait, I DID!! They got lost when I deactivated my Facebook account, but I digress. I challenge the readers of this blog post to think of ways to alter our online image. So that Google searches show only what we wish to be shown. Yes the Internet is a public place but I should be entitled to some degree of privacy. To some degree of control. After all, its just my reputation that's on the line.


This post was inspired by a little Absolut orient apple and Ginger ale