In case you didn’t know already, I work in the wonderful world of marketing and in today’s world, that means social media! Even if I’m not logged in my own Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Google+ account, I’m posting and checking posts for several other fan pages I manage for work.
I’m expected to know the latest Facebook algorithms and whether or not my posts will reach my brand’s fan base. I read articles daily on the latest trends of different social networks and I monitor Twitter regularly to tweet, retweet and see what’s trending. I speak the #hashtag language fluently and actually know why it exists.
I suppose I’m telling you all of this so you know I’m not a rookie when it comes to social media. The entire point of this post comes from questions I am constantly asking myself… “How connected do I want to be?” “What is the right balance?”
I have to ask myself those questions to keep myself in check. After all, I’m just like many of you who pull out your phone anytime you take a break from anything or when there is a lull in conversation. Need to fill up my water cup? My phone is coming with me.
Short restroom break? My phone is out on the walk there. Sitting in a waiting room? I’m not going to be the guy who looks at all the other people on their phones, I’m going to be the guy who is on the phone.
Where do you fit in? Do you feel like you have to post every picture you take to Instagram or Facebook? Do you have to live tweet every time your favorite TV show is on?
The reason I give these examples and ask such candid questions is because as a society we are becoming so connected that often times I think we become uncomfortable when we aren’t connected. I know I’ve felt that way, and I consider myself well versed in interpersonal communication. After all, when was the last time you intentionally left home without your phone? Or didn’t get uncomfortable when your phone died and you didn’t have a charger? My point exactly.
I found this video online which I think is brilliant in every sense of the word. It depicts so vividly the need to be connected.
SOCIAL NETWORK from Beomseok Yang on Vimeo.
Interestingly enough, it makes me actually want to be less connected. I don’t want to be that reliant on social media and technology to feel good about myself. What does the video do for you?
Ultimately, it makes me want to put down my phone a bit more and enjoy the details that make up everyday life. It’s like that moment in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty when Walter has a conversation with the photographer who is about to capture a picture of an extremely rare animal… What happens in the scene is amazing.
Context: Sean O’Connell has just spotted the animal and tells Walter Mitty to look through the lens. Walter sees it and the following conversation transpires:
Walter Mitty: When are you going to take it?
Sean O’Connell: Sometimes I don’t. If I like a moment, for me, personally, I don’t like to have the distraction of the camera. I just want to stay in it.
Walter Mitty: Stay in it?
Sean O’Connell: Yeah. Right there. Right here.
Overall, I hope I’ve inspired someone with this post, even if it’s just myself, to take advantage of the moments that make up each day and to live a bit more in actual reality than in our virtual reality… even if it’s more comfortable there.
Bobby Macey 