The last few weeks have raised some concerns for skeptics of Facebook's security settings. Most of the concerns have been raised by nervous competitors, fighting for the same market space (Yahoo, Google...etc.). However, users of Facebook haven't skipped a beat as the statuses continue to post to the public feed.
Perhaps humanity is ready for authenticity and transparency as we connect with eachother. Imagine that, interacting with others as "our selves". Some live this way already, while others continue to hide behind different social masks. What is your default? Do you limit what you share with others in fear of rejection, deceit, or embarassment or do proudly speak your truth no matter the audience?
From a wellness perspective, evidence would suggest that authenticity and truthfullness is better for your health. Fear and secrecy have been connected with increased levels of cortisol (the stress hormone), the heart races, paranoia sets in, and the mind is on alert. Think back to a time when you have lied to someone. Think about the effort involved in maintaining the lie or feeling the worry about whether someone would find out the truth. Perhaps you felt like a fraud over several small lies. What ever the case may have been, the mascarade cost you some level of wellbeing.
Now, remember a time when you came clean about a secret or a lie. Remember the relief you experienced. Likely, your entire body relaxed, your breathing slowed, and you felt noticeably better. You may have thought you came clean to honor the other person or people involved; however, you were actually honoring yourself and your own wellbeing.
Wouldn't it be nice if we could read the internal emails or "statuses" of executives in the banking, oil, or big pharma companies? Wouldn't the truth be welcomed for a change? I guess I can dream.
Perhaps spending time in a community like Facebook, where transparency is the "default" will help us as individuals to be more transparent IRL (in real life). Something to think about...
**Of course, you may think twice about sharing personal information that may put you at risk, like telephone numbers and personal locations. There is a difference between authenticity and vulnerability...you can be yourself without exposing yourself.
Interesting perspective. What about if your honesty will cause harm or emotional pain to another? Hmmm....I'll have to think on it. Thank you Joyce for an interesting perspective.
ReplyDeleteHello Sandra,
ReplyDeleteOne way of looking at your question would be to take the stance that each of us is responsible for our reactions and we have no way of controlling whether or not someone else responds positively or negatively to a comment. Each of us is only responsible for ourselves. From my perspective, each of us is responsible for our own truth and our own responses.
The power lies in our ability to look at situations and comments without personalizing. The comment does not have to be true for me, just because someone else thinks it is so.
What do you think?
Cheers,
Joy
Honesty is the best policy! Clear conscious = clear mind!
ReplyDeleteThanks Joy for the words of wisdom!
Having been an intended victim of some people who hacked a "friend's" id, I do have some concerns with FB's security. There should be a medium ground. But I have not firm answers on that score. Some interesting points, though. Sandra
ReplyDeletehttp://woccoaching.blogspot.com/