Agreeing with Maureen’s Manifesto
Now and then I run into someone’s thinking and notice that I’m nodding and laughing while I’m reading it. So it goes with Maureen Johnson’s Manifesto: I Am Not a Brand. I find that her message of being yourself, not being there to sell yourself, is what’s uncommon in many “social media” conversations. It’s not about turning the whole connected world into one huge commercial interruption. Read the whole post. It’s much more than this little bit:
I think the divide is pretty basic. I think there are people out there who see the Internet as a way of employing the same old techniques of SHILL, SHILL, SHILL. A hundred years ago, they would have rolled up to you in a wagon, shouting about their tonic. Fifty years ago, they would have rolled their vacuum cleaners up to your door.
The other side, the side I am on, is the one that sees an organic Internet full of people. Sure, when I have a book come out, I will often say, “Please, could you buy a copy? I need to buy food and Post-it notes and hamsters.” But in reality, I wouldn’t suggest it if I didn’t think you would like it. I have a lot of fun writing my books, and hey, if you can buy one, great! I think it’s just as great if you take it out of the library. I write because I actually like doing it, and through some miracle of science, I get paid, so wayhay!
Coaching moment: It’s important to take a minute and think about what great things computers, networks, social media, and other interactions with technology bring to you. Is it about being more of who you are? Well, yes it is. It’s also about who your friends, family, and colleagues are. It’s a shared environment. Not very many people will stand for others who don’t listen or hear, where the conversation is only one way. How long would you put up with it?
Creative commons photo credit: [puamelia] on Flickr. Thanks!
Update: Love Doc Searls post on this too.
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Great article which stimulated me to comment. TFS.
When the factory where I worked for thirty years closed they brought in a job consultant to teach us techniques of interviewing, resumes, etc. One of the things she said was “learn how to sell yourself”. I raised my hand to ask a question. “Excuse me, what do we call someone that sells themselves for money” The room erupted in laughter, yet it is a perspective people need to consider. We need to realize what needing a job does to our character. Is it really necessary to sell out or can we be ourselves without losing the ability to survive and function in our societies? As an Atheist this question is always close to my heart. I’m an Individual, I’m an Atheist and I should be able to be open about my world view, even when seeking a job.
Thanks John,
I agree. Sometimes it’s more than trivial to figure out which parts of us we want to carry into our different business and social relationships. Not everyone is going to be up to this challenge, and not everyone will “sell” themselves in the same way.
As the tools are developed to help with this, a sense of “best practices” will likely emerge. I’m watching the VRM space (see, for example ProjectVRM) and what’s happening in the UK (see, for example, How do we help UK government shift control of personal data to the individual?) for news of emergent tools and activities. These are interesting times!