Shootin' it Straight - Look at Me

A disease is loose among us, one that has been growing steadily for some time. It spares neither young nor old in its insatiable desire to be fulfilled. The sickness is an almost desperate craving for attention. Social media has set this desire ablaze. Its claws are so deeply embedded in us that it is literally costing human lives. To a lesser degree, this raging inferno of attention-seeking costs us marriages, jobs, friendships, and sanity.

I see it rear its ugly head at every opportunity. Parents overshadow children for fear of being overshadowed themselves. Individuals, thirsty for attention, exploit themselves to others besides their spouse. Those with no real stake in public activities insert themselves for clicks and likes. It seems everyone needs to be seen in some form or fashion.

This goes far beyond normal levels. Most of us appreciate a measure of recognition for a job well done. We like to show off our offspring with a sense of pride. We might even post a new car we’ve worked hard for or a completed home project that leaves us feeling accomplished. This is different. This has become akin to an arms race to see who can tally up the most clout in an online presence.

We feel compelled to deliver outrageous takes in filmed clips to draw an audience. We have given up on authenticity and the passing on of knowledge. Instead, it’s short-form, mindless content for strangers, or anyone willing to click. We insert ourselves into protests with a level of fury not rooted in belief, but in attention and filmed documentation. We stir the pot simply to make sure we are heard. We spend more time on filters and poses than on meaningful content. We claim wild escapades and rely on  ever escalated outrages acts for eyes upon us.

Both sexes are guilty of curating self-worth through scantily clad photos, validated by strangers. This behavior is widespread, from children to grandmothers. It is disturbing and adds new depth to the shallow end of humanity.

There are consequences. It makes couples dissatisfied with the attention of one partner. It causes teenagers to value the opinions of people who have absolutely no role in their lives. It results in people missing key moments because they are trying to capture life on video instead of living it. Experiences feel less valuable when hundreds of strangers don’t click a photo to validate them.

We judge our lives based on the online projections of others. Ultimately, if we aren’t steadfast and rooted, we adjust our way of operating to align more closely with those receiving more attention. The need for attention is not new, but modern society has pushed it into overdrive. What was once a mild annoyance has become a dangerous mindset.