Online Theatricality

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.

Because if you don’t act like an asshole in real life, you’re not getting an Oscar for doing it online.

0 comments