The internet has trapped us all in perpetual adolescence

Terena Scott
December 02, 2014

Can anyone really explain the point of all this online chatter? I know we are here sharing our thoughts and ideas, but to what end? To sell books? Show off? Share wisdom? Or are we all just shouting “look at me, look at me” over and over like a desperate teenager?

Lately, I’ve been questioning the need for social media. There is so much competition for “follows” and “likes” it makes me feel like I’m back in high school. I’m the dweeb in the back of the room (which is what I was at 15) desperately wishing I had what the cool kids had. What was the secret? Clothes? Money? Beauty? Here I am, all grown up and wondering why more people on Twitter don’t think I’m clever.

The internet has trapped us all in perpetual adolescence.

What’s the answer? To sell books, I need social media. How else will anyone discover my authors or my own writing? Without a big marketing budget I rely on word of mouth, especially internet word of mouth. But now we’re back to a popularity contest. The more followers I have, the more people hear about the books I publish through Medusa’s Muse. The more I talk about my classes, the more people sign up for them. I’m back to age 16 hoping someone asks me to the Spring dance.

With so much constant chatter I wonder if anyone pays attention to social media anymore.   Advertisers have discovered people ignore their pop up adds now because we’ve become immune to them. There are too many people trying to sell too much shit all the time.

What’s the answer? Is there any way to win this popularity contest?

I Want to Thank Me – inspired by another Special Needs Mom.

In 2018, Snoop Dog received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He ended his speech by thanking himself for all of his hard work. Recently, I went to a birthday party where another Special Needs mom read a note to thank herself for being an incredible caregiver,...

How Parents Can Nurture a Child’s Natural Curiosity and Raise Self-Motivated Learners

Another guest post from Sharon Wagner. We both hope you find this helpful while engaging with your child. Even kids with disabilities find joy in exploration and learning. Here are some guidelines to help you get started.  Children begin life as natural scientists —...

Cassandra – A Poem for Virginia Roberts Guiffre

Cassandra speaks the truth but all we hear are riddles. She stands in the ruins of the battle she lost. Holds out her arms with bruises like confessions.  We study their pattern, their shape, their color before asking, Where is your proof?   Cassandra speaks to...

When Fatigue Becomes the Framework: A Self-Care Plan for Parents of Special Needs Children

This is a guest post from Sharon Wagner from Senior Friendly, a website for seniors and those who love them. Sharon has a book coming soon! For more information, go to Seniorfriendly.info There’s a kind of tired that slides past simple sleep debt—it builds itself into...

Passing (a poem)

I am not your American, I don't want that name I might look the part, but I'm not playing your game. Middle Class clothes. Working class life Getting through my day without too much strife. I’m not your American. I read too much. But I can hide my books and I can shut...

Crying in my Car Again

Here I am, crying in my car as if my entire body has been shattered and I will never breath again. My face is pressed against the vinyl of the passenger seat, the seat belt cutting into my shoulder. Stop it, I say, over and over... but my body ignores me. I'm...

The Forever Brilliance of Sara

VISIONS: Seeing the Aurora in a New Light by NASA Goddard Photo and Video is licensed under CC-BY 2.0 I lost one of my closest friends last week. Sara Sherman-Levine, nurse, healthcare advocate and powerful force of nature. She was someone who walked into a room and...

Nick Cave on Music, Creativity and Grief

Photo of Nick Cave by by photographer Detlev Schneider My heart carries too much grief. My daughter’s constant struggle with her illness. The loss of dear friends, those who died from AIDS in the 1990’s and those I’ve lost to cancer now. The loss of my husband to...

Book Covers

Photo by Kamran Aydinov A few days ago, I received five sample book covers from my publisher. Being included in the cover design process is one of the reasons I am thrilled that She Writes Press is publishing my book. Most publishers make all of the decisions about a...

Politically Induced Writer’s Block

Photo by Markus Winkler  I sit at my desk with my lap top open and begin to type. Just start, I think. Write anything. Write the first impulse of words! If you start, you'll find the flow. My fingers stop. I stare at my plant that is trying to adapt to the new room...