The Internet is Magic. Time to bibbidi-bobbidi-boo all over it.
IT’S A WHOLE NEW WORLD.
Bold introverts have never had more ability to step into leadership—in their own lives, organizations, and communities—than they do right now. Because right now we are more interconnected than we’ve ever been. People who didn’t know what Zoom was a year ago are now regularly using Zooming as a verb. People are seeing that the old way isn’t the only way. Commerce, education, communication, style, design, and health have all seen metamorphosis in just half a year. Hell, even dating has changed.
Rather than riding in with the thunderous footsteps, though, this change is quiet—unless you’re somehow still using a dial-up modem.
WHAT WE’RE SEEING IS ANOTHER INTERNET REVOLUTION, ONE TAILOR-MADE FOR BOLD INTROVERTS.
If we can force back the din of screaming tyrants, the ever-demanding bellows of a virus, and the reverberating death knells of cultural institutions steeped in hate be torn apart brick by brick, if we can step above all that for a minute—there’s hope. That’s a feeling that’s been hard to hold for a long time.
I don’t want to downplay the seriousness of our global situation. People are dying. Where I live, selfish asshats are refusing to wear masks that will prevent more people from dying—a six-inch piece of fabric is apparently too much for their “liberties” (*cough cough* “privilege” *cough*) to withstand. Businesses—new and generations-old—are closing. People are hurting. I take no joy in any of this. None.
But I’ve always been the shiny-silver-lining-seeking type. And the lining I’m seeing is shinier than Billy Porter’s closet (god love ‘im).
WATCHING THE WAYS PEOPLE, MY PEOPLE, THE BOLD INTROVERTS ARE NAVIGATING THIS TIME AND USING IT TO BUILD HAS FORTIFIED MY CYNICAL ASS.
The internet is not new, but it seems like many people are now realizing how powerful it actually is.
People are realizing that they can start a business teaching people how to knit. Or manage their personal finances. Or use animal telepathy. Or coach people on being quiet badasses.
The internet is the reason I’m able to do what I do. For someone as verbose as I am, I still don’t have the words to express my gratitude for that.
Sure, there are what appear to be ever-expanding cesspools of hate, racism, and all-around vileness on the internet. Some people write things that have me convinced that when they speak in real life all that comes out are farts.
But there is also the ability to pull movements together faster than any time in history. To express ideas and galvanize visions to an audience of… everyone. To meet people who we never would have had the opportunity to meet without three little letters: www.
You know this.
THE INTERNET PERMEATES OUR LIVES.
I mean, at this point, your bowel movements can be stored in the cloud (I’d say “I shit you not!” but that fruit is hanging a little too low for my very high-brow sense of humor). But when was the last time you really stopped to think about it? To marvel at it (the internet, not the bowel movements)?
I’ve been thinking about it a lot—especially lately. Because while there are things happening in the world that make me want to hurl the entire planet directly into the sun, there’s something else. There’s opportunity. Especially for bold introverts.
In an upcoming post, I’ll outline some of the specific reasons why the internet is the best place to be a quiet badass. For the moment, enjoy the marvel.