I was chatting with a fellow from across the other side of the world over lunch yesterday; Australia, Mexican food, sushi, family, fishing, hive, shit-posting, guns and some other things were on the agenda. It felt pretty normal, but it's also weird right?
We live in a world where connections like this are perfectly acceptable though; People, strangers, conversing remotely with each other sharing experiences, thoughts, opinions, knowledge, common-interests and wisdom. I think it's a great opportunity and hive, my only social media, seems a legit way of doing it.
Yes that's my lunch from yesterday. Chicken tenders, sweet potato chips, slaw and aioli sauce on the side. Coffee also of course, always coffee.
I grew up in a world where this wasn't a thing; There was no internet, smartphones and social media however I don't see too many issues with it if used responsibly, one knows the do not share threshold and when to switch off altogether. I enjoy being connected to so many people but value the separation and control the ability to turn off provides as well.
This, for me, is one of the great things about hive...A group of people spread all over the world that I can tap-into, but hold at arms length if I choose.
Over time we gain an impression of the people we interact with here; We begin to formulate an idea of who they are and what they're about...But is who we think they are who they actually are? A good question, but one we'll probably never know the answer to; Not fully anyway.
I was thinking about this whilst chatting with 
I mention Discord above...Whilst I prefer to keep my comments on the blockchain sometimes I have a chat or two on Discord; I don't go into the chat-rooms or whatever they're called; They're too impersonal and too much like old-school YahooChat, for those who were around in the late 90's...But for asking questions of people and communicating things of a more private nature Discord is good. I also have Threema a chat service like WhatsApp although it doesn't require email or phone number exchange so that works also.
But even chatting on Discord...Who is this person all the way over the other side of the world? The million dollar question huh?
I'm reasonably open on hive although I don't put everything on the chain; Some of my life is not for public consumption although, in the main, what you see is what you get...I know...I look like a bloody fruit-loop at times right? That's because I want you to see that; I have a personality and so it comes through.
That's the thing though right? We can present ourselves in any way we choose when doing so behind a keyboard. Of course, we can also hide who we are.
I am pretty much just me though, sometimes I play down the more radical aspects of my thoughts and nature, but I'm generally just the me you'd meet if you saw me in person. I don't hide or mislead because, in reality, none of us are anonymous and I'd rather just be true to who I am rather than fabricate lies.
I find it amusing that people on hive feel they're anonymous...In reality you're not. If you have Facebook, Snapchat, WhatsApp, a drivers license, went to university or school, a medical centre or doctor, social security or tax-file number, have a passport, walk on the street, live in a country...Nope, you're not anonymous - No one is. Someone knows who you are, lots of people probably. Sure, the people on hive may not, but then again, I'd be more concerned about someone here where I live knowing me than someone on the other side of the world.
Of course, that is not to say caution should be taken when it comes to online security and the amount of presence one has. Certain things are not legit to share.
Anyway, after talking to Dave I was thinking about the community and how connected we are, without truly knowing very much about others...I get it, you want to be anonymous...I get it. But I also think people want to feel like they know others a bit more too, you know, who they are connecting with on a more personal level. I think presenting ourselves in this way shows a certain openness and honesty.
So, I decided that the #weekend-engagement topic is going to revolve around that scenario this week - I floated the exact topic with Dave today and he thought it sounded pretty cool...So, you might want to check it out. I always angle at fun with the #weekend-engagement topic and I hope that element endures but I think also it could be interesting to see the responses that come through...Don't worry, you'll not have to divulge anything about yourself so it's all good for you secret squirrels who want to hang on to the illusion of anonymity.
We're connected these days, like never before...But I also feel we have never been as secretive also...We are all looking for next-level security...But still pushing so much information about ourselves out there, true or fabricated. So, let's see what happens on Friday huh?
Look out for the #weekend-engagement topic on Friday afternoon.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised.
Be well
Discord: galenkp#9209