Matthew Ferrara, Philosopher

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First, Moderate Yourself

Remember the old phrase, “All things in moderation”?

We normally think that means things like food or drink or some other external thing. Yet the real trick is to realize it also means: You.

Especially in the public space.

Long ago I accepted the challenge isn’t what social media companies decide to do with their software or rules or data: Rather, it’s about what I decide to do with social media companies. It’s how I decide to act when I go to the mall. How I travel on a plane. How I treat the waiter. How I talk to the bellman. How I treat a client. How I encounter a stranger. Whether or not any of that shows up online.

The moderation that matters most is -

Mine.

Make time with you well spent.
Be present always in a pleasant way.
Share words - online or off - that help.
Strive to be a good friend, peer, neighbor.

After that, don’t give things like fans or websites or portals or rankings or going-viral too much consideration. My network is plenty big and I’ve never paid for SEO. I have a beautiful sphere of friends but I don’t even have a logo. People don’t follow me because I’m more right - but because I try to do more good. At least so I hope.

You matter more than your celebrity count.

People are glad to know you without the need to go viral.
The right people are better off with you than without you.
Your presence isn’t something you’re trying to do “to” them like some sort of “ad” but it’s a relationship you do “with them” —

Like some sort friend.

That’s how I choose to show up.
Not just online or off.
But in life.
Figure that out -
Things then make more sense.
And your day less stressful.