I'll paraphrase.
Billy looks at his head scout and says, "Ok, what's the problem?"
As the head scout starts to answer what appears to be the obvious answer, Billy, looking deflated, looks up and says, "The problem is, there are rich teams and there are poor teams, then there's fifty feet of crap, and then there is us.
I'm not sure who is in charge of these social platforms anymore, and in case you're wondering, I don't care. In fact, I don't care enough that I'm too lazy to even look them up, but have to imagine two scenarios are playing out in those leadership rooms after this week, one is to keep pushing a viral story of adultery, or two, shut it down, but who are we kidding, there is no room that this is being discussed, or any other topic similar. I don't know, you don't know, and none of us know because this is who we've become, standing directly below the "fifty feet of crap" with our arms stretched out ready to twist everything that drops into content we can use to validate our importance through social proof.
I believe in connection. Always have, and always will. I believe in the power of conversation and relationships. I believe that, in a trillion years, regardless of how advanced technology has become and how lonely it has made us, storytelling will always play a significant role in culture. In all cultures.
But here's my problem...I know that these "so-called social platforms" are the primary outlet for the stories that I want to tell, and for my business. As much as I've dedicated my life to "being the light," it's becoming more and more challenging to associate myself with platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn. Facebook appears to be just a bunch of people sharing "lol," while LinkedIn is from Mars, virtue signaling, and turning every piece of malicious, trending content into clickbait about what executives being exposed publicly for their infidelity have taught about their careers.
It's not crap, it's bullshit, and unfortunately for those of us who still believe in storytelling, we're watching the path to discovering true connection and relationship get shrunk by some "LinkedIn Bro" posting "insufferable" content, and likely using AI to supplement their thoughts.
Do everyone a favor: picture the worst part of your life, your deepest, darkest secret, whatever it is that you're struggling with, and watch it unfold the way it has this week for others, and then ask yourself, "Should I be judging these people the way I am, or should I reconsider?
You're not perfect, and if you really think there's a gap between having an affair and using someone else's sin for your personal benefit and social media engagement, you might be wrong.
I think, and this is just an idea...you should shut the f*** up and live your life.
Derek
