The Exercise of Digital Citizenship through Paying It Forward in the Metamodern Era and its Impact on Personal Branding

Helluva title, ain’t it . . .

Let’s begin with the notion of Digital Citizenship.  Is this any different from the pedestrian, plain vanilla, good old citizenship, and, if so, how? 

Citizenship grants certain rights to its holders, but with accompanying responsibilities.  The cost of admission to citizenship, and the rights of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” includes, but is not limited to:  respecting others (and oneself), upholding the laws of the land (and changing them through lawful means), helping others, being responsible for one’s own actions and how they affect others, acting with honesty, honour, and integrity, and giving credit where credit is due.

So how does Digital Citizenship differ?  On the surface, not much – though they may be applied differently, the same old cost elements still apply.  The digital world is simply an additional platform upon which to exercise citizenship. 

But it’s become a slippery slope.  Although the truth exists, with all the information that abounds digitally, it’s become in some cases much, much harder to find.  Respect for experience and credential has diminished, and with it citation and attribution.  Scientific method has fallen out of grace, usurped by confirmation bias.

So what’s a citizen to do?  In a word, question.  If no sources are presented in support of an argument or assertion, ask for them.  If none are forthcoming, politely, but firmly discount the assertion.  “They said . . . ” is not a source.  “Everybody knows . . .” is not a source.  “I read in . . .” is a start, but only a start. 

What if you’re the one doing the asserting?  State your sources.  I may not agree with what you tell if you do, but I simply won’t consider it if you don’t.  At best I will consider you misinformed. 

Next word:  Respect.  Respect the fact that I may not agree with you, regardless of your sources.  Respect the fact that as a general rule, credential and experience deliver competence.  Be willing to accept the fact that in many cases you have neither, and at minimum consider what those with both have to say.  I have four children, and am reasonably conversant in the mechanics of from whence they came and how, but I certainly wouldn’t claim to possess the knowledge and wisdom of an experienced obstetrician.

Could be that as you show your respect for someone, whether, you agree with them or not, and acknowledge their work, they may in turn not only respect you back, but they may pay it forward by respecting the next guy, and he the next.  You never know, you might trigger a translational pay it forward avalanche. 

So why not try?  It certainly wouldn’t hurt your personal brand.  Yeah, I know that you’ve put in a lot of effort on social media to solidify your image, with your resume on LinkedIn, pictures on Facebook, and posts on your personal blog site, but none of that says much about your reputation as someone who respects others, welcomes their input, and considers their opinions.  (Okay, testimonials might help, but . . . ever read a review on Amazon or Yelp that sounded too good to be true?)  Remember that your reputation is part of your personal brand, too.  Be the part that you look.