Virtual or Verbal, Which is Truer?

Virtual communication is much different from verbal communication because it creates a tangible record of messages. As I look at my LinkedIn and Facebook pages having listened to Jeff Hancock’s TED video, I feel like I have an honest representation of myself thru my virtual communications. Reflecting on the messages I am sharing with professional and personal communities, and The Future of Lying video, I relate strongly with the communications produced on online dating sites “if you do not match your profile the date is over” (Hancock, 2012). I really want to make sure my profiles are accurate representation of who I am, what I’ve accomplished, and what type of opportunity I bring to an organization. This is by design; I don’t want to create an inaccurate representation of myself because that would result in me not being employed in accordance with my abilities. Talking with some of my friends and people I know and comparing the information they have on their virtual profiles; I have noticed a difference in what they say and what they have published on their profiles. I’ve noticed how the individuals portray themselves in conversation compared to what is published on their profiles is different. How they talk tends to be more inflated versus what they have published, in essence they create the illusion they are more qualified or experienced then what is published on their profile. This is to an extent in alignment with The Future of Lies, Hancock showed people will exaggerate a little in their virtual profiles but not too much. People will exaggerate more in conversation because there is no tangible record (Hancock, 2012).

References

Jeff Hancock, September 2012. TEDxWinnipeg,  The Future of Lying. Retrieved November 3, 2021 from https://www.ted.com/talks/jeff_hancock_the_future_of_lying/up-next?language=en