11/05/2021
By Kate Stone Lombardi
I am not mocking Sally Field’s Oscar acceptance speech. In fact, I’ve always completely related to it.
What I’m talking about is electronic approval. The other day I was watching an interview with the British entrepreneur Poppy Jamie. She casually threw out this sentence: “Digital affirmation is an illusion.”
Let me repeat that: “Digital affirmation is an illusion.”
Obvious, but profound, and it should be engraved on all our devices. Ironically, I was watching this interview live on Facebook. Over the last two years, I have suspended my Facebook account multiple times for several reasons. One: it’s a stream of self-promotion and political rants. Two: it’s a time-sucker. Three: who wants to support Mark Zuckerberg?
This time, I went back on FB because a publication I write for was hosting this online event on the platform, and they asked their contributing writers to log on and keep the conversation going. And why did I do it? Because I want to be liked by my editors. To get more work. To get more liked.
The online Platform “Medium” is an entirely different situation. “Claps” and time people spend reading your work literally translates into money – the more engagement, the more you make. (Have I begged you to follow me on Medium yet? If not, please do. I would really LIKE it.)
Sometimes, as a writer, I feel like a street beggar.
We have an expression in our family about one of our members: “Not enough mustard in the world for that hot dog.” Well, there’s never going to be enough likes, acceptances and publications for this hot dog either. Digital affirmation is an illusion.
And now, back to the real world, where I get to cuddle a newborn, hug my husband and cook for my daughter and son-in-law. In this sphere, I don’t need electronic approval to know my worth.