I was leading a workshop on blogging and had the opportunity to listen to some fans. They had some strong ideas about me that didn’t have much to do with the guy who uses my desk.
Then I thought about my teachers, John and Suw and Eric and Marc and Will and realized I have a strong idea of who they are, based on what they write, not on any face to face observation.
Well, maybe video, but look at what you see on TV!
Think about it. Your electronic personality is a do-over! You don’t get many of those.
To close the opening thought, I was cheered to learn my electronic personality apparently is a lot nicer than the guy who uses my desk!
Thoughts?
Dick:
ReplyDeleteAn actor can be a sweetheart or a jerk as a person, but we believe what we see on the screen.
We form an image of the writer in the same way. In a blog, the writer is focused on a single topic and a deep seated point of view.
In a way your writer's persona is like a first date - you work hard to have a certain image. However, the actor, writer, and first dater real personality comes through - so if they like you as the writer, they are seeing some of the real you in that image.
So, the strange guy sitting at your desk is not so bad after all.
Thanks, Jack!
ReplyDeleteYou make this electronic personality concept seem normal. *grin*