The question I get asked the most is "what is the #InternetBae concept and where did it come from?" This is such a great question because it's something that means a lot to me and has turned into a lifestyle that I try to live daily. I think both of you two readers will be surprised at how this seemingly random hashtag came to life!
I've always felt like I was the only person in Hawaii who watched Survivor religiously. None of my friends understood why I felt like it is the best show ever. Their slogan of "outwit, outplay, outlast" is one of the truest things ever spoken. The game of Survivor tests you physically, mentally and emotionally. 34 seasons in and I have seen every single episode!
Anyway, it was 2014 and I decided to start live tweeting episodes. I proclaimed myself a Survivor super fan and expert. Something in my mind believed that I would share some incredible insight on the show since I've never had a platform to talk about it. I took a deep breath and started giving my opinion 140 characters at a time with the Survivor hashtag. It didn't take long until I started getting some likes and responses. I felt amazing and a bit relieved too since for some reason it made me feel like I wasn't just delusional about my Survivor love and knowledge.
One of the people who live tweeted with me was Kesha. To my surprise, she was also from Hawaii and it was incredible to have someone who understood my undying enthusiasm for Survivor. We quickly became Twitter buddies and we talked about getting cast for Survivor and being able to dominate with our mindset of being able to catch more flies with honey than vinegar. And just like that, the #InternetBae culture was born.
This simple thought that was tweeted really stuck with me. Everywhere we look on the Internet we see negativity or cyber bullying. It's one of those things that has become accepted. Just like how the sun rises and sets each day. You will be bullied online. There's no way around it. I'm not sure why our society seems so willing to accept this but I for one cannot stand it! Is it that difficult to be positive towards others online?
Apparently the answer is "yes" because I can't go anywhere on the Internet without seeing some sort of bullying. A good friend of mine makes YouTube videos and I've seen people comment on her "fragile frame" as well as question her intelligence. While liking another friend's picture on Instagram, I see someone comment "nice tits ho". It blew my mind because it was a picture of her with her Grandma. Yes, you read that correctly. A picture with her Grandma where someone decided to comment on her body. There are so many other examples but this would take you until next week Tuesday to read if I listed them all.
Everywhere I went online it just got worse and worse. I've personally had someone successfully bully myself and one of my best friends recently. It really didn't bother me at all until they decided to attack someone who I hold in such high regard. They have done some incredible damage with just words and harassment. This entire situation still baffles me. Why can't we focus on being happy and positive towards others instead of tearing others down?
Now, I know I've gone on some tangents here but you knew what you were getting into when equipping me with a blog 😂. Getting back to the lecture at hand, what is the #InternetBae culture? It's going back to the basics. Back to the very first lesson we were taught by our parents. We need to really start treating people the way we want to be treated. Even if it's on the Internet and might be someone you will never meet in real life. Kindness begins with you!
I'd like to leave you with some tips that will help you to embrace the #InternetBae culture as I'm hopeful that it will catch on if we just pay it forward. My goal is to make the Internet a better place than I found it and I can't do it alone!
I've always felt like I was the only person in Hawaii who watched Survivor religiously. None of my friends understood why I felt like it is the best show ever. Their slogan of "outwit, outplay, outlast" is one of the truest things ever spoken. The game of Survivor tests you physically, mentally and emotionally. 34 seasons in and I have seen every single episode!
Anyway, it was 2014 and I decided to start live tweeting episodes. I proclaimed myself a Survivor super fan and expert. Something in my mind believed that I would share some incredible insight on the show since I've never had a platform to talk about it. I took a deep breath and started giving my opinion 140 characters at a time with the Survivor hashtag. It didn't take long until I started getting some likes and responses. I felt amazing and a bit relieved too since for some reason it made me feel like I wasn't just delusional about my Survivor love and knowledge.
One of the people who live tweeted with me was Kesha. To my surprise, she was also from Hawaii and it was incredible to have someone who understood my undying enthusiasm for Survivor. We quickly became Twitter buddies and we talked about getting cast for Survivor and being able to dominate with our mindset of being able to catch more flies with honey than vinegar. And just like that, the #InternetBae culture was born.
This simple thought that was tweeted really stuck with me. Everywhere we look on the Internet we see negativity or cyber bullying. It's one of those things that has become accepted. Just like how the sun rises and sets each day. You will be bullied online. There's no way around it. I'm not sure why our society seems so willing to accept this but I for one cannot stand it! Is it that difficult to be positive towards others online?
Apparently the answer is "yes" because I can't go anywhere on the Internet without seeing some sort of bullying. A good friend of mine makes YouTube videos and I've seen people comment on her "fragile frame" as well as question her intelligence. While liking another friend's picture on Instagram, I see someone comment "nice tits ho". It blew my mind because it was a picture of her with her Grandma. Yes, you read that correctly. A picture with her Grandma where someone decided to comment on her body. There are so many other examples but this would take you until next week Tuesday to read if I listed them all.
Everywhere I went online it just got worse and worse. I've personally had someone successfully bully myself and one of my best friends recently. It really didn't bother me at all until they decided to attack someone who I hold in such high regard. They have done some incredible damage with just words and harassment. This entire situation still baffles me. Why can't we focus on being happy and positive towards others instead of tearing others down?
Now, I know I've gone on some tangents here but you knew what you were getting into when equipping me with a blog 😂. Getting back to the lecture at hand, what is the #InternetBae culture? It's going back to the basics. Back to the very first lesson we were taught by our parents. We need to really start treating people the way we want to be treated. Even if it's on the Internet and might be someone you will never meet in real life. Kindness begins with you!
I'd like to leave you with some tips that will help you to embrace the #InternetBae culture as I'm hopeful that it will catch on if we just pay it forward. My goal is to make the Internet a better place than I found it and I can't do it alone!
- Be kind to unkind people. They often need it the most.
- We rise by lifting up others - Robert Ingersoll
- Kindness is a language the deaf can hear and the blind can see - Mark Twain
- One kind word can change someone's entire day
- Kindness is contagious
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