What's going through my head right now #22

“Like/Dislike”

Today, I caught myself once again simply pressing the “Like” button on some posts while surfing social media (mostly Facebook and Instagram for me) without reading or looking at the post until the end. Simply because I wanted to show my attention and awareness.

Not that this isn't honest, because if I didn't like something, I would be less likely to express it and simply scroll on. Or if there was a real need or necessity, because someone from my close circle of friends or work environment had posted something that irritated or even disturbed me. In this case, I would address the person directly, seek a direct exchange, and not start an argument via the open channels.

Only when it comes to actually attending the advertised event, such as a presentation or a performance, or purchasing a book, for example, does my interest usually end. Not because of a lack of interest, but mostly due to a lack of time, a currently unabridged stack of books that I want to read and that doesn't seem to be getting any smaller, or simply because of the distance involved. So I shouldn't be surprised when I receive numerous likes, congratulatory posts, and feedback on my own posts, but only a fraction of those people have actually purchased my novel. 1,000 likes and 100 comments don't mean that I'll sell 100 or even 1,000 books.

That would be nice.

What I usually find lacking here is concrete exchange. Simply clicking a check mark or emoji quickly sends a signal, but how sustainable is the whole thing? To what extent does the clicker reveal themselves in this? Everything remains superficial and is like a meaningless comment after a performance when you ask how someone liked it: "... It was nice... I liked it... Not bad... Yeah (and a nod)... Let's talk about it later (which usually never happens)..."

Being in a certain anonymity, or not having to engage in a physical, face-to-face encounter, naturally makes everything a lot easier. Because you avoid conflict. You can ignore it better. The possible “BUT” written on your face or even in your body language remains unseen. Like behind a cloak of invisibility. Whether it's my novel, one of my readings, or dance events, you get the feeling that people are aware of you on social media, but ultimately, they rarely take the step of attending an event or buying the book. A pat on the back and “I think it's great that you're doing that” can be motivating and encourage you to continue with your plans. But to be able to make a living from it, to take the whole thing to an existential level, requires much more. Because you have to be able to reach people. Meeting them in the real world is a real bonus.

Perhaps we should all ask ourselves more often: What is really behind our digital applause? And more importantly, when was the last time we replaced a like with a real encounter? Many people who come to my readings or buy my book are those who have taken the step out of genuine interest or out of their digital comfort zone.

They are the ones who show that real connections are still possible—even in our like-button world. This form of perception and engagement is more sustainable and generates far more honest interest and comprehensible chain reactions. You can feel the resonance immediately. It is not expressed in numbers or digital successes, but in a dialogue of a human nature.

With all the senses.

Jochen, cordially