Hiding in Public.

I haven’t written a post here in a minute, because I was temporarily paralyzed by the effects of seeing the documentary We Live in Public.

Nah.  I’m lazy.  I’ve been updating my facebook, but not saying anything of any length or substance anywhere.

But really, if this movie is in a theater near you, go see it.  You will learn about the terrifying trajectory of internet visionary, Josh Harris.  You will learn about his project, “Quiet,” (if you didn’t already know), in which he invited 100 artists to live in an underground bunker with him in New York under 24-hour surveillance, at the turn of the millenium.  Then, you’ll learn about how he lived with his girlfriend on camera in their apartment for 6 months and how everything fell apart.

This brings me to my question/ statement: I’m having trouble finding a way to argue that all of this facebook/ blogging/ twitter business is not, at the root, all about ego.

I know: connection.

But it’s kind of a chicken or the egg thing, right?  Connection to satisfy ego? Recognition to gain community?  Which is it?

I’m usually a sunny optimist, but the way I keep waffling here is like looking at a Magic Eye: one minute it’s definitely clearly ego, and the next it’s undeniably community.

I know: both. But I want some irreversible decision-making.  I want some people to make some bold statements we can either love or hate.  Humor me (ego).  Start the discussion (community).