I’ve Never Been Myself Online

Here is a fun fact about me: I’ve never before been myself online.

For privacy, I never wanted to put my face and thoughts out there on the internet in my own name. I have had social media for projects, like thinkPhilosophy and JavaScriptMentor, and anyone can find out who I am if they want, but that extra layer of separation between my personhood and my projects always was very important to me. Substack is my first time using my full name in social media. (LinkedIn doesn’t really count as social media, does it?) I’m finding it fun to be me online, but there is also a sense of vulnerability. I’m also on Bluesky as myself now, come find me!

I’m wondering if I should write a reflection on this, and on the difference, to my mind, between being authentically onself online (is it possible?) versus personal branding. I never ever want to be a brand…. and I am afraid we may be forced to become that to be socially visible in the future…..

Should I bare my soul, will you read me?

Follow me on Substack, if you want.