Don Ladanyi, B.S.E., J.D.
May 12, 2010

Living up to our on-line reputations! Not an easy task when temptation and ego, coupled with on-line freedoms of expression allow us to take ourselves to the max, or beyond?

People the world over increasingly look to social networks as a "trusted" source for information. And what is the very first bit of information that we give them? Why, it's a picture of us! Sort of like the bait in a trap, that "snapshot" first impression that we so carefully planned to present. It's exactly the way we want to be perceived and "the bait" we use to have others take an interest in us as a prospective friend, customer or even a date. The picture that we select can be so overwhelmingly powerful that the viewer will probably remember us by merely conjuring up whatever image we initially provided. Instant reputation. Instant Karma! Right?

Well, sort of, at least in cyberspace… but we don't live in cyberspace. We live in the real world, here and now, with all its ups and downs and imperfections. Life is not a video game, it's reality brother. It's our lives and others' lives based on how we interact with each other; and all with consequences: some big, some small, and some non-existent.

To that end, some social media pundits say we should be "smart" and present ourselves in accordance with the reputation that we are trying to "build" for ourselves in the online world.

I think another word for the pundits' word "build" is "lie." You don't build a "reputation" online. You build it in real life. You merely reflect yourself online. You "build" lies about yourself online, and nothing more. Then you must lie even more to perpetuate that original lie. A losing battle, game over, love lost!

So when we finally meet in real life,thatis the impression that people will remember of you. Will you live up to your online persona or will you be a disappointing dud?

Remember, the next time you upload a picture of yourself, think a little bit more about that online image (profile photo) you post and keep it real! It truly pays in business, friendships and love. So be happy, get it right and keep it in-sync with the "real" you... unless of course, you're nothing more than an unfortunate, lifeless and lonely "self-built" avatar, like some people I'd rather not have known.

Submitted by Don Ladanyi
CEO TruFlavorWare, Inc.
goIROC@AOL.com