Theatricality.
Webster’s defines this as:
1.
Of, relating to, or suitable for dramatic performance or the theater.
2.
Marked by exaggerated self-display and unnatural behavior; affectedly dramatic.
Hang
on, I have a point here.
I
want to talk to you today about theatricality, and whether or not you develop a
different persona online than who you are in real life.
Why
do I want to talk to you about this?
1. Because I don’t. What you
see is what you get.
2. Because far too many people
(I think) do.
This
week, as I was going through my newsfeed, I saw argument after argument, debate
after “debate” (yes, I am mocking you) and people who were (generally) behaving
badly.
Want
an example?
I
subscribe to a plethora of nutritionists, dieticians and professional trainers
as part of my quest to get healthier and earn the body I want to have. And many
of these folks post pictures of people they have been working with as they shed
the poundage. The other day, I saw something on one of these feeds that made me
so mad that I wanted to kick puppies (and I like puppies… a lot). Sadly, it
wasn’t the first time.
A
trainer has posted photos of her client, someone she had been working with for over
a year who started out 200 lbs overweight. So far, said client has lost 100
lbs, and is working hard to lose the rest. When the trainer posted the photo,
however, instead of an overwhelming virtual outpouring of positivity, inundating
the young lady with things like “way to go” and “well done”, this poor woman
was criticized with virulent fervor. Commenters said things like, “She is still
fat,” and “She has a long way to go,” and “Good job fatty.” (And yes, there were
more. And yes, they were worse.)
Online
personal attacks take a unique brand of cowardice. Primarily because I know
that the agitator wouldn’t say the same thing if they were sitting across the
table from someone. For far too many people, the online world has become a
place where they feel they can say whatever they please to (and about) whomever
they please, without repercussion. And, in my not so humble opinion, this type
of behavior needs to cease. Immediately.
I
live my online life by one simple rule: “If I wouldn’t say it when you are
sitting in front of me, I sure as hell am not going to say it to
you online.”
Can
you say the same? If not, you have some work to do.
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