I had an opportunity to have lunch the other day with Michael Hyatt, the President and CEO of Thomas Nelsons Publishers. Our conversation was deep as it was wide and was extremely challenging as it was just plain fun.
We naturally gravitated to how we engage online and the strategies that we employ to do so. Here are a few thoughts that came up during our conversation, the first being from Michael and the second from my personal ruminations:
The Desire to Express Ourselves
We touched naturally upon”publishing” at one point and he reminded me about our basic need to simply express ourselves and how the online medium is perfectly suited for this type of desire.
Mike couldn’t be more right about this (and he would know better than I).
There’s something deep within us that has given us the desire to create things, as we are made in the image of a Creator God. We seek outlets for our creative energies and want to tell others about it. Mediums like blogging, for those who are more expressive with words, is perfect: It’s cheap (like “free”) to start, and can be done within a matter of seconds.
Perhaps, if the above is true, there’s some wisdom in making sure we are more aware of this most basic instinct and capitalize on it through our engagement?
The Desire to Defend Ourselves
This has been something that I’ve been turning over in my mind for quite some time. Anthropologically we see man’s natural tendencies to create defensives, create things that protect, and there’s something instinctive within us to create environments that are safe.
Take for example the building of the Tower of Babel, as found in the Genesis account in Chapter 11. If examined strictly through the lens of an anthropological framework, one reason for creating such a tower “that would reach the heavens” could be for defensive purposes. A tower lets you see enemies coming from far away, gives you advantage, and creates walls and security.
I think the same thing occurs online in a number of various manifestations. One particular example that sticks out for me is my consistent desire to know what’s going on in the world. When I’ve really thought about it I think there’s a “defensive posture” here; if I don’t know what’s “going on” I feel “out of it” and feel “ill-prepared.” This may or may not be a stretch, but I think there’s a conversation to be had here.
Much Much More
Although these two have been on the forefront of my digital mind, there are many more instinctive desires that move us to engage online. What are some others that you have encountered and/or thought about?
I would put in the desire to explain ourselves, what we believe and how we want others to believe it as well. More than defending; it is a desire to win others over to our worldview; the validation that comes with having others tell you that you are right.
Hm… that's an interesting point. I definitely enjoy explaining myself… and am often frustrated when I can't.
while I personally agree and subscribe to the value (desire) to express myself, I wonder if that value (desire) is culturally conditioned.. bc in my work and observation among Asians & Asian Americans, it seems to me that in that world, freedom of expression is not valued nor exercised, certainly not in freely speaking one's mind or opinions.. did you notice some semblence of that during your trip to Korea?
That's a good point DJ. Culture can play a role in how one expresses oneself, but I'm not sure if it can stop us from having the basic and intrinsic need. Check this article I found a while back:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/24/arts/music/24hi… />
It may not apply fully, but there is a cultural-clash that is happening as people seek to express themselves. Great video there too.
More and more koreans are trying to express themselves. I saw recently a news article about how Koreans, in the tech world, are some of the most advanced, even from a blogging perspective.
That's what I'm saying.
The opiate of the e-masses.
oh… going all marx on me now…
The Desire to be known!!!
I just want people 'out there' will feel good because they know me. – in the best way you can be know 'remotely'
respect
EGO! just kidding.
no, i hear you on this. there is a desire to be known… God did it… us too!
John: your point about not wanting to be caught off guard was taught to me by a colleague of mine in the news media early in my career … folks typically are in the protect mode with their lives … I think that's why the hardest part of saving someone for Jesus is getting them lost.
(Church planter taught me that one. So true.)
Whoa. Would love to hear a post about that… …
A desire to win the approval of others. A desire to be heard. A desire to compete strategically.
compete. very good. that's in a series coming up.
I'm going to start calling you Mini-Master PhoSent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
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PO! from kungfu panda.