It is human nature to make an instant assessment of everything and everyone we come into contact with. This is usually based on an initial introduction or by just hearing the name of either a person or product. That is why corporate America spends millions each year coming up with clever names that you and I can easily remember. I know for myself when I meet someone for the first time I have to concentrate on that initial introduction or I will never remember their name. I can’t tell you how many times I have been out on a golf course or at a bar with some random people and started calling them by the wrong name. It is embarrassing yes, but understandable at the same time given the fact that most people like me are extremely A.D.D. However, when I meet a new client for the first time I make it point to remember his or her name, so why can’t I do that in social situations? The answer is slackery, which I define as an act of going through the motions and not giving enough thought to whomever I am meeting or whatever I am doing at the time. We are all guilty of “slackery” some of us more than others. Nonetheless, it is simply a bad habit that with a little bit of effort can be broken. We all must fight off “slackery” as to not look like a complete idiot in front of total strangers.
Then there is the world of Twitter, and that really got me thinking about names this week. I had never thought about all the effort that some people put into their faceless personas, on the interweb. We are a society of people who want to be noticed and at the same time be anonymous as to inflect our often mean spirited opinions and comments on others without any consequences. All you have to do is go on social media the night of a major event like the Super Bowl or Oscars to get a taste of just how nasty some people can be. My most recent observation was that if you look at the nastiest comments that people make they actually fit their Twitter handle. For example @manjugs, @usedtobeabastard or @irratedwoman you pretty much know exactly what you are getting even before you start reading their feeds. That’s ok but for me I am more attracted to people that have something honest [and by honest I mean unfiltered thoughts], positive, funny or inspiring to say. A good confession is always interesting as well. Like the guy who bought a $1,000 telescope to spy on his neighbors after the trampoline didn’t work. I couldn't help wondering what he actually saw and if it was worth the money he spent.
The only people that should use their real names on Twitter are celebrities and super star athletes. How else would we know how to contact and criticize them on the internet, without their real names? As a “nobody” your Twitter name should be how you want others to judge you right from the start. I must admit that my Twitter feed is a place for me to vent and to share the darkest thoughts I have with total strangers. No one I personally know follows me on Twitter as I think they would be appalled at what they read. The beauty of “blind posting” is you never know who is reading your 140 characters of sick and depraved thoughts. Yet they are out there for the world to read or at least your followers. So for me Twitter is a form of therapy allowing me to release the demons that live within my sick and twisted mind. Facebook is fun and for the family but Twitter is the like going to the dark side…..
So what’s in a name? Everything and anything you want it to be. Next time you meet someone for the first time put some effort into remembering their name. Even if it means not thinking about yourself for a few seconds and focusing on whom you are meeting. The interesting thing is that I have never forgotten an attractive women’s name even when they could not remember mine. #fightslackery