How to not sell your soul to the internet: a tutorial

Summary

In this video tutorial, Lauren addresses the metaphorical concept of 'selling your soul' to the internet, particularly in the context of content creation. She outlines the risks associated with oversharing personal information online, drawing on the online disinhibition effect and the desire for self-understanding. Lauren offers practical advice on how to create content without compromising personal boundaries, emphasizing the importance of categorizing one's audience and ensuring that shared information serves a purpose. She concludes by discussing the limitations of her perspective as a new YouTuber and encourages viewers to consider the authenticity of their online presence.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video discusses the concept of 'selling your soul to the internet', which Lauren defines as the regret and discomfort from oversharing personal information online.
• 🔐 Chapter 2 highlights that public figures and content creators are particularly at risk due to the online disinhibition effect, the desire for self-understanding, and the ambiguity of their relationship with their audience.
• 📈 The online disinhibition effect refers to people sharing more about themselves online than they would in person, which can lead to oversharing and subsequent regret.
• 🤔 The desire to understand oneself, as emphasized by philosophers like Kant, can lead content creators to share more个人信息 to gain self-knowledge through audience feedback.
• 🧊 Lauren introduces the 'Iceberg of the Individual' model to illustrate the different levels of social relationships and how they correlate with the depth of personal information shared.
• ❌ Oversharing on the internet can lead to a skewed self-perception, as content creators may come to believe their online persona represents their whole identity.
• 🚫 To avoid selling your soul, Lauren advises categorizing your audience appropriately and treating YouTube as a public speaking platform where the focus should be on the audience's needs.
• 📋 She suggests having a separate video journal to maintain a clear boundary between personal thoughts and content intended for YouTube.
• ❓ Before sharing personal information, Lauren recommends asking oneself if the information is appropriate to share with an acquaintance, if it's fully processed, and if it's off-limits.
• 💡 The video concludes that filtering information to share on YouTube does not compromise authenticity, as it's done in the context of the relationship with the audience and the communication medium.

Q & A

What is the main topic of Lauren's video?

The main topic of Lauren's video is about how to avoid 'selling your soul' to the internet, particularly in the context of content creation and public figures.

What does 'selling your soul' mean in the context of this video?

In this video, 'selling your soul' refers to the feeling of regret and discomfort that one feels after oversharing vulnerable or personal information about themselves on the internet.

Why are content creators and public figures particularly at risk of 'selling their soul' according to the video?

Content creators and public figures are at risk due to the online disinhibition effect, the desire to understand themselves better, and the ambiguity of the social context with their audience.

What is the online disinhibition effect?

The online disinhibition effect is a phenomenon where people tend to self-disclose more information about themselves or act more intensely online than they would in person, due to the lack of face-to-face communication.

What are the implications of the online disinhibition effect mentioned in the video?

The implications include that having strangers as friends and a larger network size on social media platforms like Facebook can lead to more self-disclosure and higher levels of regret from oversharing.

How does Lauren suggest content creators should view their audience in terms of social relationships?

Lauren suggests that content creators should categorize their audience into a social category, such as between acquaintanceship and friendship, to better understand the appropriate level of information to share.

What is the 'Iceberg of the Individual' model mentioned in the video?

The 'Iceberg of the Individual' model is a conceptual framework that categorizes social relationships from acquaintanceship to best friendship, indicating that as relationships deepen, more personal information is disclosed.

Why should content creators avoid sharing ongoing struggles on their platforms according to Lauren?

Lauren believes that sharing ongoing struggles can hinder personal growth, affect the accuracy of self-portrayal, and potentially skew the creator's self-perception due to the audience's feedback.

What are some actionable steps Lauren suggests to prevent 'selling your soul'?

Lauren suggests steps such as keeping a separate video and personal journal, having a questions list to assess the decision to disclose personal information, and maintaining an off-limit list for topics that should not be discussed in videos.

How does Lauren define the authenticity of content in the context of the video?

Lauren defines authenticity as sharing information in the context of who you're talking to and the communication method, rather than being drastically different among all social circles, which does not compromise the authenticity of the content.

What limitations does Lauren acknowledge in her approach to the topic?

Lauren acknowledges that she is a new YouTuber and not a full-time content creator, which might limit her perspective. She also recognizes that there might be situations where sharing ongoing struggles could be beneficial, and that her views are subjective and open for discussion.