- I created my first Facebook account when I was 16.
- I created my first email account when I was 18.
- I learned about TikTok when I was 24.
- I downloaded Instagram and Twitter when I was 25.
So it only seems right that I begin blogging at the age of 26.
I’m only around 22 years late from when it was insanely popular – give or take? There’s something cool to know that very few people will probably ever read these blog posts. Since nowadays – we all tend to read 10 words before our brain demands a 5 hour rest period that consists of a mixture of Netflix, YouTube and mindless scrolling on our phones.
I’ve always enjoyed not having much of an online presence. However, we live in a time – in today’s world – in which no online presence is practically equivalent to being a social pariah.
For better or for worse, society has created this idea that our existence can only be true if we’re able to whip out our phones, plug our names into the Google search bar (or whichever browser you use) and see all the amazing things the Internet can find about us.
Are you looking for a new job? Let’s take a look at what LinkedIn says about y-, oh?… No LinkedIn? No worries at all. How about an Indeed account…wait, no job profile at all? Good god – WHAT ARE YOU HIDING?!?
Are you looking for creative opportunities? Let’s look at your reel – I’ll check out Yout-, I’m sorry, what? No YouTube? That’s okay, we’re perfectly okay with TikTok too – if y-,…sorry….no TikTik?! ARE YOU SERIOUSLY CALLING YOURSELF A CREATIVE?!?
Are you looking to date? Hold on – before we go out, let’s take a look at your Instagr-, what?!? No Instagram?? Okay, okay – calm down. Let’s check out your Twitter, you’ve got to ha–…stop. No Twitter?! Facebook? Oh my god, ABORT! ABORT!
Although most people tend to only yell these thoughts internally, there are several others who definitely like to express their opinions on a lack of social media presence.
Especially those within the entertainment industry.
Without a demo reel, you aren’t really an actor. You’re a wannabe.
Without a Twitter that’s full of jokes, you’re not really a comedian. You’re a bystander.
Without a social platform where you have a ton of followers that allows advertisers to see that your posts are pulling in at least 250k views…I mean, are you even legit?
My close friends and family members know where I stand with this whole ideology – that being said, I’ve definitely seen the pros of having social media during 2020. I was able to make new friends, connect with amazing creatives and even get a few followers that aren’t only my brothers and my aunt who’s secretly going under an incognito user account name. Because of social media, I was able to take the leap of faith and move out to Los Angeles.
I still appreciate my privacy. I don’t think I’ll ever be the TikTok star who’s raking in millions of views by doing different dance trends. Nor will I ever be the YouTuber who’s vlogging about my social life and constantly filming & embarrassing my friends.
The irony of it all – as my close ones love to remind me – is that my wish to be an actor is still a form of this idea. I’ve even written out a pilot in which I would want to act as the social media star character – just to have a peek as to what that lifestyle must be like. But I just can’t imagine having my whole persona be defined by random tweets, pictures and videos of me trying to figure out how to apply filters.
As an actor, one has to be vulnerable and acknowledge that there’s no real escape from the spotlight once you achieve a certain level of success. Once you get enough eyes on you, they’ll follow you non-stop until they blink and refocus on someone else.
That being said – there are definitely other ways one can express themselves outside of social media. One can compose music and spill their feelings over a lost connection. Or draw a painting and Pollock the shit out of a canvas. My awesome and extremely talented writer friend, Franky D. Gonzalez (please check out his work) has even urged me to create a one-man show based on my personal stories that I’ve shared with him.
“You’ve got an audience out there papi,” he says, “there are others, just like you, who get excited about actual human interaction. You just have to be willing to let go and share.”
INSIDE by Bo Burnham was one of my most favorite comedy specials (if you can call it comedy, definitely felt like 95% depression). He definitely took it to a different level where he went all out – no holdbacks, no regrets. Just spill out your guts – if they connect, great. If they don’t, then thank you for trying. AND he used social media throughout his bits!
I definitely see myself trying to find some sort of compromise – a healthy balance of social media with art. It really depends on the community you spend your time with on these platforms. There’ll definitely be a day where I hopefully reach a certain level where I can pull a Donald Glover and just disappear from the online world and only exist in the real one. But for now – I’m willing to jump and explore more within the social media life.
Though – I still doubt you’ll ever catch me doing a TikTok dance challenge 😛