Technology is the Force!

Above is a photo representing me. After much deliberation, I finally decided that a photo of Luke Skywalker would be apt.

You may wonder, “Why Luke?” Certainly, Charlie Hanlon is not the chosen one and I do not seek to bring balance to the mysterious force that controls everything. Nor do I sport that wonderful haircut reminiscent of the 80's. Instead, I chose an image that could symbolically represent my online persona.

I decided that my online persona is dichotomous (or split into two): the light side and the dark side.

On the light side of the force, I use the internet to represent my professional and educationally minded self. This side of me censors everything I write and post onto the web that has my name, image, or school accounts/email. I carefully evaluate what I say to certify that what I post does not reflect poorly on my employer, school, or personal brand (as meager as it may be!).

Generally this requires me to omit certain details about illegal activities, trivial matters, as well as my personal emotions. My light side is both stoic and heroically positive.

The best “real life” example of my light side would be to compare it to the manner I put on when I am at work. As a bicycle mechanic, I spend a certain amount of my time dealing with customers and trying to make sure that our company and our bike shop meets their needs.

When dealing with customers I am never negative about what the customer does. I always seek to provide the customer with the knowledge to make an informed decision. If I don't know information that a customer needs, I find someone who will be able to provide it. I never trash talk a customer or any of my fellow employees. My light side internet use involves the same.

However, as wonderful and beneficial as my light side is, I also harbor a dark side to my internet personality. Unfortunately, since I like to keep my dark side private I will not be able to elaborate much. Suffice it to say that my dark side encompasses my more personal and anonymous internet use.

Just as Luke Skywalker, I find myself striking a balance to the force. I bring together both the dark and light side of my personality in real life. Some times I lean more towards the light or the dark (i.e. when at work), but together it is the reconciliation of light and dark that makes me who I am.

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