So, as many of you know I work in social media strategy and training for the most part, with some speaking, writing and business development thrown in the mix (it pays to be well rounded). I really love what I do! The printed word come to life, in a way. However, one of the trends in the social media world is photos and video. Metric tons of photos of all types and reams and reams of video.
I don’t understand where the phrase “generate interesting and compelling content people might want to seek out online” became “take nine million photos and videos no one cares about of you and your friends at events to prove that you were there”. Whenever that happened, whoever started that trend, well… no offense but I’d kind of like to punch you in the neck. Figuratively, of course. *cough*
Let’s put it this way – I have never been a fan of the camera. Ever. I spent 31 years of my life attractive, thin and camera-ready. I still ran from the camera (much to my photographer step-father’s chagrin). I. Hate. Photos. In spite of my aversion to the camera, I used to be able to attend events, to have a little fun, to cut a rug, to learn things, to share my knowledge – all with no pressure.
Oh, not anymore. Now there is no way to just go to an event and learn things, meet new people, share what I know and make connections without the underlying annoyance of the citizen paparazzi. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I love your enamoration with your own visages, your need to prove you attended an event with hundreds of photographs of yourself with people you just met. I just don’t share that obsession, and what’s more, I know I’m not alone.
I am sick of hearing the “make it ok” yet super-selfish reasoning: “you have no reasonable expectation of privacy on the internet”. Of course you do! We all do! I may need to understand that words I type can stick around on Google, or exercise kindergarten levels of precaution by not giving away all of my personal details to strangers, or accept that when I’m presenting for work I’ll be filmed, like that, but there is NOTHING that says I HAVE to allow every person with a flip cam access to my mug or person in photos or videos.
I am making it my mission to untag, take down, remove, delete and otherwise control my own visage online. I highly recommend you don’t be shy, either. Tell those amateur photogs and citizen journo wannabes “no” if you don’t want to be on camera, or have your mug grace their Flickr, FaceBook, or other social site. Just say “take it down”. It’s ok. Your face – it’s one of the few things you really DO own online. Stand firm.
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