This is not a post about the nature of public/private in the blogosphere. This is not a post about the nature of public/private in our ever more connected world. This is a post the nature of public/private and, well, me.
When in conversation, I tend to give pieces of myself away. I relate to others by sharing details about my life or my feelings that are relevant. Many (most?) people do - it's one of the ways we cement social bonds and give meaning to people, events, and the world in general.
But here's the thing: I tend to share the most about myself when I'm nervous. My subconscious monologue probably goes something like "I'm very nervous right now, and I'm wondering if you think I'm competent, and so I'm going to tell you things about myself that show that I'm really a likable person and a good person."
Which predictably results in a stream of information about myself being launched into the conversational ether, a stream of information that is either boring or irrelevant, and that may actually give a too personal account of myself.
Do I lose by retaining less of myself for myself? Are there situations in which I shouldn't share the things about me that make me human?
