Overcoming internet fear

I admit that I am extremely cautious when it comes to things internet.  There are trust issues and rightfully so.  There are a lot of bad characters out there and they don't always come with the best of intentions on your behalf.  It pays to be cautious.  But am I being too cautious.

I have been hesitant to enter the whole social world, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, whatever etc.  Do I really want to open myself up that much?  Will I slip up and release too much intel related info as to who I am?  Will I become the target of governments and criminals?

Who am I kidding?  I have been writing this blog for several years now and I don't have a mass following yet.  I want to become a more prolific writer which means I would need an audience which means I need to have a following and you can't do that if you hold yourself incognito.  I should set free the irrational fear and let myself shine.  What is the possible worst thing that can happen...I might make some new friends?

So I went to LinkedIn to update my profile with a photo since it would be easier for others to identify me if they could match a name with a face.  I struggle with matching faces with names myself and need all the help I can get.  Trouble is, while I was looking for a photo to use I noticed that I am mostly the one behind the camera and have very few current photos or even many older photos that are of LinkedIn pretentious caliber let alone Facebook worthy.  Maybe generic silhouette is good for LinkedIn for starters but not if I am going to break the mold.  That goes for my Facebook page as well (I was thinking of doing a series of shots with just the back of my head but I am sure it has been done).

While trying to find some new photos to share I came across some old ones I have taken that I kind of like and should find a way to share those as well.  I may have to start loading a few on this blog even just for the fun of it.

Either way I am going to put myself out there and break down some barriers of my own design.  I am going to explore new territories and see if there is anything grand to be had.  And most of all I am going to do a better job at taking selfies.  I am not always as ugly as I think I am.  None of us ever are.

If my hair wasn't such a mess right now I would prove it.

This is Ed Nef with a view from the Farrwest.