Most of us have been fortunate unfortunate enough to experience the terrible tagged photo on Facebook, or that one you’d just rather not have your clients, colleagues and family see. Believe me, I’ve been there, and I’ve untagged a fair amount of photographs in my day. As I mentioned before, I even once deleted my entire Facebook account and started over just so I wouldn’t have to deal with untagging 1,000+ college pictures. And when a less than desirable picture found itself plastered on my profile (thanks to a dear, and loving friend), I found myself mildly irritated.
I thought, “They have to like, KNOW that is NOT cute. Why would they do that!? I wouldn’t do that to them!”
Simmer, Jess, simmer.
I quickly untagged and then started to think about it.
Everyone I spend a fair amount of time with has a camera phone and a purpose. They all want to share information, and connect socially. It’s the space and age that we live in. Knowing that means I have to chillax a bit, and I have to recognize that I’m always “on”. Pictures will be taken, and my location and conversations I have will appear in tweets. It’s just part of the gig, and I have to be open to it.
That doesn’t mean it makes it any easier to digest though. Even when I know I’m “on” or pictures are being taken, or video is being recorded once it’s live on the InterWeb and people have the ability to comment…well, it can suck. People can change or edit content or images to suite their needs, or comment hurtful remarks next to videos you post.
Insert example one.
The comments in this video are semi-too hurtful to actually put into this post…so you can check it out here.
Being “on” is hard. It leaves you open and vulnerable. Part of the gig, part of the gig.
Socialize and convey their reactions.
Post content and comment.
The bad videos and the bad pictures make just means we’re human. We’ve ALL taken the bad pictures.
Enter example two.
Nice, huh?
Being in the industry means those type of photos will be taken; that type of video will be captured, and you have to learn to deal with it. Bad video/photos/comments will happen — It just can’t be habitual. Being “on” means you have to be aware that people are watching, and you have to be more cognizant of what you say. To me, though, that just means being more polite and treating others as you’d like to be treated.
Respecting people.
Being a good person.
Treating others as you’d like to be treated.
If you do that then what do you have to worry about (other than the occasional bad photo/video)?
Hey…!? I took that pic.
I agree with your points, Jessica.
However, I don’t want to see my friends and bloggers turn into media-managed, sanitized bores. Part of the appeal of social media is a feeling that we are seeing the real people behind the public persona. Fortunately there’s plenty of room between the too-good and the regretful to operate effectively.
And, for what it’s worth, I like the pic.
I think an important part of participating in a medium where many comment and give feedback behind the protective interface of their monitor is to have a thick skin. You have to be able to let things bounce off of you to a certain degree. Sure – take constructive criticism where it’s worth taking it, but allow frivolous negativity to fall by the way side. Jess – the comments on that video were not bad at all. That’s easy to say for me because they weren’t about me and I understand that kind of thing can be hurtful but I have seen far worse online. AND – that picture is gorgeous so shut yer face
It can be hard to remain a sensitive caring person while developing a hard outer shell but it’s the balance we all have to walk if we want to fully participate in the internet.
Oh Jess,
I should look so bad in a picture. (Hint the sarcasm in my message….they should have a button for that) I digress. You are a truly beautiful person and no stupid comment on a video or picture on facebook should every make you think otherwise. As we said in the schoolyard, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. That’s my take on it anyway. Be yourself and don’t worry about everyone else, cuz in the end you know the comments that are important.
Anyway, much love.
April
It was me, wasn’t it.
I would never post a picture of someone I thought made them look bad, but I’ve been on the other side of that situation, where the poster didn’t think anything was wrong with the picture (even though I think I looked terrible). And then of course, when I commented about it, I ended up coming off as a self-centered jerk, and worse, I hurt their feelings.
Instead of trying to untag all the terrible pictures of myself, I now resolve that every time someone posts a bad picture of me, I will post five good pictures to counteract the one I don’t like. I will also try to be less self-critical.