I have a sort of long-running experiment with the internet. It plays out in real time. It is not clear to me, nor was it ever taught to me, what to publish on the net and why. And when I do post something on there (on here?), how much of it is really a part of my life? My work? My community? My identity? What exactly is the impact?
The calculation baffles me to be honest (I am an over-thinker!) but I can see people who have it under control. They harness the power of the net to their advantage. They are comfortable with the online self versus the offline self.
When I first created a Facebook account it was all a bit of a joke – in my eyes it wasn’t really me. But now i’m not so sure. The internet is a powerful sandbox, where we must draw our own lines. Limitations are our friends. Intention is our friend.
Some lines and decisions to consider for the internet:
- Are you on Apple devices, or Android?
- Do you read or write? Consume or create?
- Is it free or are you paying?
- Are you using a pseudonym or your real name?
That last point is topical for me. I tried to create something with the chimpwithcans.com domain but it never really took. I love and identify with the image of the chimp (ha!) but I couldn’t figure out what to do with the domain name. I felt pressurised to build something other than my own thoughts and identity. A business or a following perhaps – but I didn’t have anything clear in my head. That lack of authenticity and pandering to others is for the birds.
All of this is to say I have changed the name and address of this blog. No more hiding behind a chimpanzee.
http://www.randrews.blog is the new site and it is just me and my musings. My practice of writing as often as i can.
Happy Saturday, chimps/people.
Chimpwithcans 