2015#07- “I would use THIS to go to CTNx” (the animated gif feature) | Resorting to Mime on Youtube plus Thoughts on Political Correctness

The “what am I doing” or “I am a human” face. Actual video is below, I’m afraid. The ceiling light had to be covered up with my dome else it will glare at ye.

I tried a Youtube Intro video before but since changing things to Burps and the Burpcast, I had to do a new one. And this time something that’s not just a video with an image.

I embarrass myself as I talk to the camera again! Okay, I did try several times. I can’t get the camera’s audio working so I compromised by Miming like a silly person. I can’t do too much with this basic tablet camera… I don’t have expensive equipment at hand and this means cameras at self *won’t* be a regular thing – rest assured! At least to me! Phew!

Follow the channel *if you want to* (anonymously too via your settings) though following the blog you’re reading now is enough to keep track of things anyway! Only keep tabs on whichever platform that suits you!

I must note that the HermitBurpcast is still completely fine as a listen only thing! Talking to myself and with peeps is still the main focus.

That said, I *might* add something running for the video side to it for the upcoming Burpcast on the 24th but I’m working that out. This is thanks to a suggestion from March’s Burpcast episode. Don’t want to make it too boring as a Youtube video. (:

Burping Away: Lessons in the choice of a word

Rambling time! Been thinking about it since I changed things to Burp in my last post over here and I realised something.

I was apologising and feeling bad for any potential offense and upset I may have caused. I was pretty much criticising and blaming myself. But in truth I do not feel sorry for making the mistake itself (as I did the best I could with the knowledge/viewpoint I had and wouldn’t have known or done otherwise anyway).

This is because after becoming more self aware, Apologies are not enough.
Actions towards doing better is of more value and meaning. And I am not perfect and I’m always learning.

I do not have the elusive, huge power of controlling other people’s emotions and offended reactions (I haven’t seen any direct reactions to me on this matter though) yet my gut reaction was to put a lot of self blame upon myself already.

Upon further thought, I was not out to get someone out of maliciousness or being hurtful intentionally by using the previous word. I don’t believe I did anything wrong as a person because it was an honest mistake and I’m adapting.
Some political correctness is at play here. I won’t pretend there isn’t at all. I do have the fear of offending in light of the public nature of the internet. I also want to do better as a person.

If I were to look way back, I have been using the previous word Derp for a couple of years just to refer to my socially awkward self. Actually, I don’t even use this word in person or in any other way; it was just an online thing! (I guess goodbye word I don’t actually use in real life!)

No one really called me up on it because ultimately we know that words are only as offensive as the intention behind them as they’re being said or written.

Words are as powerful as the intention behind them and how they are interpreted. Edit: It goes both ways in how it is communicated and how it is received. In my case it was clear that people saw through my intentions and that this is really me looking back, calling myself out in striving to be respectful and more self-aware in my use of words.

Bullying is another thing entirely where your intention is to hurt someone whether it is through actions or words. I don’t believe this was the case here.

Another thing I feel I must say: No one pressured me to change my wording at all but I am sensitive about these things, I’m looking at the long term usage/bigger picture and I’m looking at what kind of message I’m projecting here.

Yes, there is the danger of putting too much political correctness in everything we say to the point that we become too scared to say what we really think (especially the wide range of ways things can be misinterpreted or taken out of context in a public space like the internet).

But I am not afraid to say what I think about all this and I will say it as it is. It’s just my opinion anyway; it doesn’t matter among the billions of opinions out there. (:

We can’t deny that there is always that self constructed “positive public image/reputation” of yourself to uphold; some sort of vague division between how you portray yourself:

1. online (public/global; expectations of us whether we follow/change them),
2. in person with strangers, acquaintances & “sort of friends?” versus
3. how you are with people really close to you.

For me 1) is HermitBurp – I daresay that you’re interpreting that for yourself already
2) is Awkward, Introverted, Quiet Listener who asks questions sometimes
3) Mostly how I am at the Burpcast and “You’d better listen when I actually talk, friend!” haha

Oversimplified categories and examples but you get the idea – we act differently (however slight or vast it may be) in the public eye.

In this case, I stand and believe in my change of wording. Words are potentially powerful, dependent on the meaning we give to them. Ultimately, I wanted what I do online to give fun, boosting vibes and I don’t want a word get in the way of that. I don’t want to allow any room for any unintended messages to be portrayed.

So I changed it.

It was an inconvenience to change email, tagging, titles, links, images and so on but at least I actually do (in a quiet ninja way) ‘Burp‘ in person! Who would have thought!

Yes, this is *a lot of thought* behind one word (gosh I made an essay out of a molehill hoho) but a general, easily ignored lesson about Political Correctness (edit: or rather Respect as a whole) was learned:

Don’t apologise if you don’t actually feel sorry as it loses meaning. Apologies alone don’t make things better anyway; it’s your intentions, your actions, what message you want to get across and how honest you are with yourself and others that matter. How are you making the situation better? What is important in terms of the bigger picture here?

I digress! Thinking of possible Burpcast topics for the future too! Hope you’re getting used to the Burping burpity burps from the Hermit Burp. 😀