This podcast explores the challenges of living and working as a speculative investment, reflection on self-speculation, the prevalence of the second person on social media, and the influence of online advice-giving on self-worth and authority.
Viewing running as an investment in personal growth can shape one's identity and leadership skills.
Transitioning from expert advice to peer learning in business can foster collective knowledge and community value.
Deep dives
Transition from Disliking to Enjoying Running for Business Growth
Despite initially disliking running, the speaker started in 2017 to emulate successful business owners who were dedicated to exercise. Seeing running as an investment in becoming a better leader for her business, the speaker viewed it as a way to mold herself into a more valuable version. This transformation was part of a broader identity shaping process, reflecting the anticipatory speculative self concept.
Shift in Business Focus and Rejecting Expertise Role for Community Support
Following burnout, the speaker transitioned her business focus to a membership community promoting peer learning over expert advice. Rejecting the role of the 'person with the answer', she embraced the idea of learning from others within the community. This shift reflected a move away from positioning oneself as a guru and highlighted the value of collective knowledge.
Reflection on Online Communication and Pronoun Use for Self-Perception
The speaker observed a trend of using the second person pronoun 'you' in online content and its implications for self-perception and advice-giving. Recognizing the influence of language in projecting wisdom and authority, the speaker adjusted her online language to reduce speculative self-investment. By limiting speculation on self-presentation for optimal returns, she aimed for authenticity and minimized the pressure of constant self-optimization.
Okay, this isn't really an episode about speculative investing. Well, it is. But I'm not talking about crypto or meme stocks. I'm talking about the challenges of living and working as a speculative investment.
Today's episode is a brief reflection on self-speculation, the "anticipatory, speculative self," and why the second person is so ubiquitous on social media.
Footnotes:
"Verified: Self-presentation, identity management, and selfhood in the age of big data" by Alison Hearn in Self-(Re)presentation Now
"The Truth About Influence" by Alison Hearn in Re-thinking Mediations of Post-Truth Politics and Trust
Psychopolitics by Byung-Chul Han
"What 'You' and 'We' Say About Me" by Ariana Orvell
As always, find an essay version of today's episode at whatworks.fyi