On the Eiffel tower

When you post pictures with your dog on instagram, it says: “This is what it’s like when I play with my dog”. If people are interested in you or your dog’s well being, they will enjoy them. Same for when you’re in a strange church in a Baltic country: “I’m amazed by this bizarre chandelier. I thought some of you would too”. That’s excellent communication. It’s a good use of electricity.

When you take a picture in front of the Eiffel tower, frame it and give it to your grandmother, that’s beautiful. When you post it on Instagram though, I don’t know what to make of that. What does it mean? My only though is: “Here’s proof that I’ve been to Paris”. I struggle with it. I find it small and embarrassing. It’s like sharing your news. It’s like saying: “Please be advised that I have arrived in Paris”. It’s arrogant and self centered and cowardly. We’ve all seen the Mighty tower in pictures before and your photography is not adding any new perspective (plus it’s illegal to do that at night. FYI)

Let’s think a bit more about what we say. When you post about people’s photos in front of the Eiffel tower, it says: “Check it out, I’m bitter I am about people minding their own business so I’m making up some BS perspective about it ”. Let’s think more about the meaning of the things that we post.

Posting about founding a new company that’s taking on some problem? Excellent. It’s interesting because not many people do that. Posting about getting a new job in a new company is like posting an underexposed picture in front of the Eiffel tower. Everybody does it. It’s self-congratulatory and nobody cares about it. What? You thought people were waiting to see if you’ll take your talents to south beach to join forces with D-wade and Chris Bosh? No one cares…