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| Novin Farid Setyo Wibowo, S.Sos., M.Si, the Communication Science Lecturer at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM). (Photo: Istimewa) |
Everyone, mainly social media users, is flocking to build a self-image in the digital age; whether they want to show their real or fake selves. In communication, the term avatar building creates a perfect self that does not exist in the real world.
Novin Farid Setyo Wibowo, S.Sos., M.Si, a Communication Science Lecturer at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM), said that whether or not building a self-image is essential depends on the needs and goals of each individual. Some people create a self-image to expand their network, multiply relationships, and increase public trust in themselves.
"So, a person wants themselves to be known by many people that he has abilities or is at a certain level of success. In addition, they also try to gain public trust," he said.
This is because people can know more or less about other people's personalities just by looking at their social media. But like a double-edged sword, this is often a place for showing off or flexing. It is possible that the self-image presented is not the real but the expected or fake one.
"Therefore, the term 'plastic human' emerged: people who act something fake," said Novin.
According to Novin, imaging and self-image are two different things. Self-imaging is a deliberate effort to project oneself to be known by the public as desired, whether it is the actual or fake self. Meanwhile, self-image is an image that arises from each person without being designed or intentional.
"For example, you are originally very chatty, but people judge you as a quiet child because that is the self-image that appears on you," she explained.
Novin also shared several tips for those just starting out or trying to build a self-image. The first is to be honest because honesty is fun. In dramaturgy theory, humans basically have a front stage and a backstage. The front step is what is presented to the public, while the backstage is the real thing.
"But we should show our true selves on the front stage. Don't lie in front of the public," he added.
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Second, make friends with the right people because we and our future depend on the scope of friendship in the real world and on social media, including people who are followed and considered capable of helping the value of our lives.
Third, turn off useless social media. Because currently, humans have information overload, which causes distraction. Humans now live in many realms. There is the real world, the sleeping world, and the social media world. In this social media realm, humans enter many dimensions of time and space. This causes problems in humans, such as multiple personalities due to the many social media users. In some developed countries, they dare to limit the social media that can be entered and accessed in their country.
Fourth, please don't overdo it. Personal branding is the identity attached to a person. The first keyword of branding is to have a precise positioning. One must be able to position oneself and not be the same as the existing ones. The second is differentiation. We will finally find a Unique Selling Point (USP) if we have a clear positioning and differentiation. USP is something unique that becomes one's selling point.
"A little different is much better than a little better. Different is definitely good and will be remembered by people. But if you try to be better than others, you won't be remembered," he said. (imh/dev/wil)
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