Full disclosure: Imperfect person behind the tweets

Posted on 01. Oct, 2009 by Brett in God, Social Media

It’s Twitter Week at TRAPPSTR.com! 5 days of Twitter madness! Whether you love Twitter or think it’s hot garbage, check back each day for a fresh look at the state of the Twitterverse. If you haven’t signed up for Twitter, DO IT NOW! You can find the TRAPPSTR on Twitter right here. If you like something you see, pass this article along by clicking on the SEND THIS POST TO A FRIEND button at bottom.

Also, I’m having a contest for a free, custom-designed Twitter background! You can learn about that here.

My mind has been stuck lately on this question, “What is the distance between the real me and the me I put online?”. Let me be honest, the majority of my online time is split between Facebook, Twitter, and this blog–3 social galaxies that usually revolve around the axis of: Me.

Sure I love watching others, but it usually comes back around to me in some way. My pictures. My opinion. My image. And have you ever noticed how everyone looks great on facebook? Bad pictures of us always have a way of disappearing into cyberspace with a quiet poof.

I’m amazed at the many ways people use Twitter, but they are usually self-centered and self-promoting. Truth be told, I’m the same way. I spend more time managing my online image than managing my spiritual life. I worry more about sanctifying your opinion of me than letting God sanctify my heart. I try to make others think I have it all together, when all I’m really doing is building a prettier mannequin.

Sometimes I think we all need online disclosure statements–something reminding the world that we aren’t perfect people. We are, rather, as the Gospel tells us, desperately wicked at heart, broken, insecure, flawed, self-consumed, dead, and without hope. And only through Jesus–not smiling pictures and happy tweets–are we able to bring anything of value to this world.

There’s nothing wrong with talking about our lives and our thoughts on Twitter. But we marginalize the Gospel when we don’t let others in on our struggles and issues.

“Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.” Prov 22:4

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Phil 2:3

What do you think? Does Twitter/Facebook encourage narcissism?

5 Responses to “Full disclosure: Imperfect person behind the tweets”

  1. lisa slusher

    01. Oct, 2009

    I tend to agree that Facebook encourages us into a “me” society. Sometimes as i am posting i think “does anybody really care what i am watching on tv or what i am doing?” or “should they?” When i first became a facebook junkie i felt rejected or small when my credentials didn’t match up to those of my “friends” but that only leads me to think more about ME. On the other hand, it has become for me an outlet of expression at a time when i am going through the most enormous test i have ever faced in my life. It is a huge blessing for me to be able to share the small steps of my journey and through that give some praise to my God along the way. So i guess it’s like anything else in life…it’s all in what you make of it!

  2. Rachel

    01. Oct, 2009

    “…And only through Jesus–not smiling pictures and happy tweets–are we able to bring anything of value to this world.
    There’s nothing wrong with talking about our lives and our thoughts on Twitter.
    But we marginalize the Gospel when we don’t let others in on our struggles and issues.”

    THIS.

  3. bccoley

    02. Oct, 2009

    It’s not too late. Twitter week has a new exciting announcement: http://blog.twitter.com/2009/09/soon-to-launch-lists.html

    Think of the possibilities…

  4. bccoley

    02. Oct, 2009

    Twitter, Facebook, Blogging, and the like are all expressions of personal branding. Ultimately, all of the above emit a person’s brand. How you mold your brand (or damage it) is up to you. How you use Twitter is up to you. As a tool for positive personal growth and expression, social media is key to the new age of human interaction.

  5. Brett

    05. Oct, 2009

    Bryan & Lisa, you guys are both right. At the end of the day Twitter is just like everything else–a tool that can be used for incredible good or for purely self-serving purposes.

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