6 Responses to “Social Media Balance – Or Lack Thereof”
In thinking about this (and the business of our identifiers not being our identities), I am reminded of the notion that our existence (who we are) arises in the conversations of others. I suppose that goes with something I’ve seen in fiction lately: we don’t really die until there is no one left who remembers or thinks of us.
I’m not clear that there is much to make of that, although now I also recall a Bruce Lee film tagline:
“The key to immortality is living a life worth remembering.”
My addition to that is
“We are the remembrance for those who have touched our lives.”
I suppose that is a social existence. I’m not so sure that social media is a sufficient embrace of that.
A major difference between people with identities and inanimate objects that may also have identifiers, is that living people can think, reason, make decisions and act for themselves. Because of these characteristics, the relationships that emerge between living people are special indeed.
In that vein, I think social media can augment personal interaction, but “real” relationships are often richer and more permanent than purely “virtual” ones. Perhaps that is why we enjoy meeting in conferences – to cement and enrich relationships that may have taken root in a social media setting.
I personally believe that each of us is an eternal “intelligence,” each with a unique identity that existed before this period of mortal life and that will continue beyond mortal death. I also believe relationships, such as marriage to my wife, or personal friendships, can continue beyond the grave.
While I recognize that you might not share that belief, which I accept on faith, perhaps it may shed a bit of light onto why I have such a keen interest in identities and relationships – even beyond the technical aspects we explore professionally.
Thanks for listening. Have a great weekend.
Mark
Comment by Mark Dixon on March 22, 2013 at 9:16 pm
It’s odd, I misquoted myself. My usual addition is “We are the remembrance for the immortality of those who have touched our lives.”
I admire your declaration of faith. It provides a stand for creating a world to live in where everyone being here matters and can make a difference in the course of our mortal existence and beyond. Thanks for speaking your faith.
In thinking about this (and the business of our identifiers not being our identities), I am reminded of the notion that our existence (who we are) arises in the conversations of others. I suppose that goes with something I’ve seen in fiction lately: we don’t really die until there is no one left who remembers or thinks of us.
I’m not clear that there is much to make of that, although now I also recall a Bruce Lee film tagline:
“The key to immortality is living a life worth remembering.”
My addition to that is
“We are the remembrance for those who have touched our lives.”
I suppose that is a social existence. I’m not so sure that social media is a sufficient embrace of that.
I really like the concept that we are the “remembrance for those who have touched our lives.” You may enjoy reading a poem I wrote many years ago that touched on that subject: http://www.discoveringidentity.com/2010/01/30/a-tribute-to-friends/
A major difference between people with identities and inanimate objects that may also have identifiers, is that living people can think, reason, make decisions and act for themselves. Because of these characteristics, the relationships that emerge between living people are special indeed.
In that vein, I think social media can augment personal interaction, but “real” relationships are often richer and more permanent than purely “virtual” ones. Perhaps that is why we enjoy meeting in conferences – to cement and enrich relationships that may have taken root in a social media setting.
I personally believe that each of us is an eternal “intelligence,” each with a unique identity that existed before this period of mortal life and that will continue beyond mortal death. I also believe relationships, such as marriage to my wife, or personal friendships, can continue beyond the grave.
While I recognize that you might not share that belief, which I accept on faith, perhaps it may shed a bit of light onto why I have such a keen interest in identities and relationships – even beyond the technical aspects we explore professionally.
Thanks for listening. Have a great weekend.
Mark
It’s odd, I misquoted myself. My usual addition is “We are the remembrance for the immortality of those who have touched our lives.”
I admire your declaration of faith. It provides a stand for creating a world to live in where everyone being here matters and can make a difference in the course of our mortal existence and beyond. Thanks for speaking your faith.
Thanks for your kind and understanding works.
And thanks for sharing your “corrected” quote. May I add it to my rotating quote database that I use on my blog?
Mark
Permission granted. (I love opportunities to say that.)
Thanks, Dennis!