Some comments on the #LookAtMeImNaval meme. For those unaware a meme recently arose (or was manufactured) mocking @naval's style of sharing wisdom in Tweets. Naval is a well known (and influential) figure in the "crypto community" (for want of a better descriptor).
So why the controversy (Twitter is full of such mockery)? One side claims it was all in fun and just a parody of an influential figure, or thought leader, and that such leaders should be able to handle such light-hearted mockery. The other claims it was a case of cyber- bullying.
The power behind the meme is it's mockery of core identity; the desire to see oneself as wise and influential. It's what @ScottAdamsSays might call a "linguistic kill shot". The equivalent of Trump calling Jeb Bush "low energy" and having that impression stick.
The damage is if the impression sticks that Naval's words are pompous, circular and vacuous. I don't want to comment on whether that will be the case or which side's argument is correct. I just want to mention that power of the meme comes from defensiveness.
The meme would be sapped of its power if Naval had just played along or even agreed and amplified the meme. It would then have been an ephemeral joke, as its creators claim it was. Instead the blocking and outrage (from e.g. @balajis) are fuel for the meme's power.
So friendly advice to Naval from a nobody: just play along. It's ok to own that you have a penchant to wax philophical. Your credibility will not be hurt to joke about it.
Friendly advice to the meme creators, from Plato:
"Be kind, everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."
(even those who seem powerful or influential)
"Be kind, everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."
(even those who seem powerful or influential)
Ps yes I know that wasn't Plato, but I still like it!
