Today a Facebook “friend” lamented on FB no less, that she had broken her rule of not expressing political views on FB. Like many others, she is increasingly concerned about how she will be digitally memorized and how any misstep might affect her fortunes going forward or for that matter, posthumously affect the fortunes of her loved ones.
Because her words and images — momentary digital artifacts — will live in perpetuity and be subject to the interpretation of others who see them in some other time and place, she self-censors her digital footprints, stripping them of any substance that might be misconstrued or intentionally abused by those with their own agendas.
Our immortality does not reside in coursing electrons — digital snapshots of moments in our lives. Our immortality flows from the ways in which we share our lives with others, each of whose becoming is forever altered by our unique participation in their lives. Each of our stories becomes indelibly writ, part and parcel of our mates, children, co-workers, friends and neighbors.
As the author of others who may or may not remember our name, the way in which each of us lives our life among others is of very real consequence going forward, generation after generation. We are immortal.
Very well stated.