Do Social Sites Promote Narcissism?

Gary,

I think the any kind of social gathering place has and always will generate this kind of behavior.  I have to go take another gander at myself in the mirror.

Gary...social media may be the best place for this type of person.  If you get bored with them, you just stop reading and go to the next one.  No need to make an excuse face to face!

Gary...

Well of course they do. Everyone wants to be recognized, and everyone wants to be noticed. I think that it's just human nature on steroids!

Gary, you're lucky someone as important as me, sacrificed my valuable time to read your blog. Just Kidding!

I think for some people who aren't comfortable with themselves, the internet allows them to become the person they would rather be.

Gary,

Good question.  One of the things I've noticed, at least among my FaceBook friends, is that individuals who might not have a lot to say "in person" - mainly because they have already been dismissed for their far right or far left views - are thrilled with social media.  Basically they can post and post and post becasue somebody, somewhere will be listening.

Michael

Hi  gary,  O never thought of this before... a very good thought to ask yourself.  I recently joined facebook and found it a very  good way to keep  in touch with my family that is scattered across the country.  I have noticed and scratched my head as to what the trivial conversation going on between each other.  In fact I really laughed when I read from a niece to her sister. " I miss my sissy sissy and I love her soooooooooooooomuch......What? was that...they fight like cats and dogs.  So I am guessing you are very right and hit the nail right on the head.   

Hi Gary,

Social Media can be about self promotion and in a lot of cases it's expected to a degree. If someone is looking to flex their ego, they can easily do it online or in person. I'd rather they do it online so I don't have to see or  hear it.

Gary - you have brought up a very interesting point here.  But it's funny because the more a person does talk about themselves, or what they are doing the more they will push away the magic of social networking. 

In a heartbeat I'll stop following someone on Twitter that is so self promotional, or block them from my FB wall.  Social Networking/Social Marketing is not pushing yourself and/or services on someone, it's engaging them as you would at any social gathering - online or off.

Gary - As it is with any group of people - you will find the me generation. But I do agree with Jon - the Internet allows them to become the person they would rather be.  In person - they will not have any social skills.

Hi Gary,  Yes the attention would feed the narcisist - but from what I read, they really don't care about others at all, and I think the social part of social networking would be their downfall -  just my intial thought - I'll have to think about this some more, very interesting question, Gary!

HI Gary, I really only use Facebook too.  No matter what I use to sign on, that site freezes--which may be a good thing to get me off fast :)

I guess you might be right. I spend time on Facebook... playing... Farmville... between actually selling real estate, writing all the online promotional marketing "stuff" and brochures, then AR.. who the heck has time to tweet about what I am doing? I tweet my posts, and I tweet to my cousin... and that is just about that!

Yes.  I have watched some slowly sink into another universe. They only come up for air when they have to. I do believe that many in the younger generation have lost an ability to communicate well face to face.  Why else would two folks in the same office with desks 10 feet away from one another text or email each other when they can use less energy to just speak.  I also believe it can be so bad their income falls. 

Gar,

I am not sure this is the right term. Our surrounding was limited to where we lived. It was very limited in small villages and towns, and it was much easier in big cities. With Internet (and social media) you are no longer limited to who lives nearby. Now you can really become picky and go for your soul-mates, that yo might not have before.

But it is just that, the opportunity to communicate with soul-mates no matter where they are. And if there are very few of them, and you chances before to meet them were close to 0, now you are connected.

I would also note that Internet is a terrific equalizer. Age is not important (which is not always the case in face to face communication), wealth, social group, gender, religion are not of that much importance. Basically on the Internet who you talk with has not the same meaning than in face to face communication.

Interesting posts. I am on both facebook and twitter. Not as much lately but then again, haven't been blogging as much.

Can it be narcissistic? I suppose it can. But, isn't that just a character flaw in general.

If all you talk about is yourself, then yes. If you give, and engage with others then not so much. Social networks are all about being social, back and forth. Just like in real life.

Yesterday I quit following some folks on Twitter. All they did was promote their business, I got sick of logging on and seeing the same o same ole' tweets. So I unfollowed them.

You have to remember, just like here in the rain, you get out of them what you put in them.

Gary,

It's the nature of the real estate industry that there will be many amongst us who will be constantly promoting themselves and making themselves out to be the best...in fact, I've heard that to be a top agent, you do have to have a fair sized ego. That being said, I haven't seen anyone on FB or here on AR (I'm rarely ever in Twitter) who is so self-centred that they forget about interacting with other people and giving a big part of themselves to help those around them. Everyone I've come across in business networking sites seems to be about give and take and making connections.

That being said, I do believe a lot of people who are not on FB or Twitter for business purposes do seem to be all about themselves and seem to live in their own little universe....whether or not it promotes narcissism, I really don't believe it. Rather, it keeps the naricssists off the streets where they could be inflicting even greater damage on the lives of those around themselves.....

Jo

Gary,

Great topic. On our travels this month we met many wonderful people from other countries. Several commented on how we Americans spend so much time telling the world what we are doing every hour of the day. Their comment was they were busy living their lives not broadcasting every move they made for the world to hear! Many felt our President was on TV more than any personality in the world!!They did reference they liked Facebook to keep up with family and friends but the tittering had them!!

I think this is really interesting. I have a Facebook fan page for both my girls. They are show offs, but I think it's okay as a child. I am my children's biggest fan! I use Facebook and Twitter as a way to connect with other moms and provide inspiration.  Positive Mommies is not my business, it's my passion; therefore, I enjoy connecting with moms and positive parents.  I also moderate a Facebook group called "I love being a Mom/Dad", which is really fun.  What I'm getting at is, our personalities, our passions, our strengths and our flaws are simply magnified and displayed by the social networks. If you're not that type, you won't turn into that type. I think the narcissists and COUs (I learned this accronym from my brother LOL which means obviously "center of the universe") just love the networks because they have a wider audience, just as we do if we are trying to get a message out.  That's my humble opinion.  When you're on FB, don't forget to friend me!  I would definitely sign up to  get your updates!

Gary - I find AR tends to attact the narcissistics more than facebook, or at least i find more of these kind of people here. Twitter is almost all business, and not so personable.