I have some terrible news… No one, allow me to repeat that NO ONE!, looks good naked. You may argue that there are many a models and playmates who could prove otherwise but trust me, they are hiding under layers upon layers of photoshop. I know that thousands of pubescent boys are googling “naked” and being falsely brought to my site but while I am in the spirit of crushing hearts, I might as well take it further: Santa Clause isn’t real either.
Earlier this month Maya Baratz (@Mbaratz), a Bay Area Interactive “It” girl said, “Online privacy is the emperor’s new outfit. Start looking good naked, people.”
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If you search my name you will find my portfolio, blog, facebook, twitter, slideshare, linkedin, 123 People, and google page. Within one click you can have all of my basic information, location and daily happenings. I actively push out my information because I want my internet presence to be strong but I have also learned to censor myself. Information we put online can be repeated and found forever. Nothing is ever truly deleted.
I have been an active participant of the interactive since 5th grade and have learned the hard way how to correctly use it. I am not saying I am an expert but I would argue I am a seasoned professional. Although you may be older I am an Innovator.
And I have four steps on how to look good naked… online.
Think First: Whether you are posting a tweet, status update, blog or email. Take a second to process what you are doing. Once that button is pushed, your information is sent to the world wide web and forever out there roaming. Often I have posted a joke and deleted it immediately only for it show up in a search or cached page. It is like a first impression, once made it can never be forgotten. My latest foray into nakedness is with emails. I often quickly spout off ones on my iphone or late at night on my computer without thinking it through. Next thing I know I have forwarded to the wrong person and completely embarrassed myself. When writing something take a second to breathe then check it over before sending. This is especially helpful when writing while angry or agitated. You may thing you are hiding your emotions but you are actually leaking from every word!
Be Consistent: Whatever you do or whoever you be online, be consistent. We are very forgiving of people online if we can understand the behavior or expect it. If you want to be a jerk, be the best jerk you can be. Later down the road if your persona comes into question you can explain it was just that, a persona… an online character you were testing out for affect.
Not Everyone’s The Same: I have a very good friend, bless his heart, who is absolutely clueless into this. He thinks that his interests and humor are my interests and humor. If I dare to get offended then I am labeled as the girl who cannot take a joke. Thank goodness we are all unique and created to be different but we need to be accepting of our differences and not expect everyone to understand. Express your opinions but don’t assume that they are my opinions. Arguments will surely ensue and friendships or reputations will be sacrificed in the process.
Don’t Take It Personal: This tip closely relates to “not everyone’s the same”… if there are different opinions, do not take it personal. The internet opens up endless channels for discussion but leave the anger for the guy that cuts you off on the highway. By creating an open forum we need to encourage discussion not discourage it by taking it all too personal. This also relates to facebook or twitter users. If you are unfollowed or maybe a picture or comment is untagged or deleted, nine out of ten times it has nothing to do with you. I may think that I look awful in that picture or don’t want a dirty joke on my page. Rule of thumb: It is not about you!
Privacy is a thing of the past and whether we like it or not we must embrace the openness that the internet has brought us. It is time that we are start looking good naked. Do the squats and ab crunches because we are about to see all you got.
