We all want to be famous, whether we admit it or not.
We all want the glory of recognition for our work; our media; our creations; our results. To say otherwise is to lie. Of course, the thing is, there are different levels of what we want and how we want it.
Thankfully for those that want it, whether it’s deserved or not, social media allows us to live out our narcissistic fantasies and be as famous as we believe we should be.
Fame, though, can come in many forms. There’s the type of fame that Mike talks about; but that’s where we seek fame but don’t really say as much. Then there’s the well-deserved fame of a job well done, despite not really being famous at all.
And then there’s the self-proclaimed fame. But is this fame, or infamy? Can it even be called fame, when it’s a self-imposed title? Perhaps the fame is there because of the irony around the self-proclamation?
Them’s Mighty Big Words You’re Using
Say, for example, you call yourselves “the standard for influence”, like our friends at Klout. That’s a pretty mighty title to give yourself. Can they live up to it?
After all, Klout does have at least 100 million users being profiled, so that’s a hefty number, and one that should stand for the standard of influence, right?
Eh, maybe not.
Considering there are approximately 900 million users just on Facebook, so 800 million short there. Or 200 million on Twitter, so only half the number there. Even LinkedIn, everyone’s favourite-but-not-really network, has 131 million users, so Klout’s missing 31 million people there.
Even if Klout were to say they were just “the standard for ONLINE influence”, there are 2 billion people using the web. TWO BILLION.
So, in the grand scheme of things, 100 million is like a wet kiss on the cheek compared to the back-seat virginity loss and post-coital cigarette it desperately wants to be.
Self-Proclamation and The Wanky Word
There’s nothing wrong with being confident in your abilities. There’s nothing wrong in being proud of your achievements, and sharing them with the world.
That should, actually, be a given, since the world is hard enough to succeed in at the best of times – so true success deserves to be highlighted.
But saying you’re something you’re clearly not isn’t a statement of success. Nor is it a statement of intent or a goal – if it were that, the line would go something like “aiming to be the standard for influence”.
At least that approach is being honest, and people will cut you slack.
But calling yourself the best or standard when there’s a clear difference between the claim and the actuality?
That’s just kinda wanky.
image: natebeaty
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