Role Model Evolution

This post was inspired by Colin Walker’s post Life By Social Media Rules.

Role model:  “a person whose behavior, example, or success is or can be emulated by others, esp. by younger people.”

In my opinion, one of the most amazing possibilities of social media is the improved or easier ability to interact with authorities and influencers.  Some might call them role models.  As a result, I think we’ve seen an evolution in the characteristics of the role model.

Role Model 1.0

When a person is quite young or has limited contact with the world, the people that inspire or influence them are the ones in close proximity:  friends, family, neighbours, civic leaders, professionals, and so on.  Not only are they physically close, but they are approachable and are willing to enter into dialog with you.  Let’s think of them as Role Model 1.0.

Role Model 2.0

As our knowledge of the world expands, directly or indirectly through the influence of mass-media or mainstream media, we hear about people who seem larger than life.  They say or do amazing things.

They are accomplished.  They are often attractive, witty, and charismatic, although these attributes are often faked through the assistance of other people.  These people are like ideals, or idols and they are untouchable and unreachable.  They are like perfection in a bottle, but you can never open the bottle.  In fact, their handlers prevent you from getting near this “bottle”.

Role Model 2.0 is the realm of the pop musician, actor, professional athlete, national politician, and business leader.  And, occasionally, the writer.

Role Model 3.0

Social media has given rise to a new idol.  The content creator can write and create profound works while engaging their audience in a two way (or multi voice) conversation.  Sometimes the conversation is more important than the content.  Sometimes the creator leads the conversation.  Other times, they are led.  You might argue that they are “firestarters”, to borrow from the work of Duncan Watts, at least where the condictions are ripe for ideas to spread.

Role Model 3.0 maintains authority and respect by being accessible (if only in a virtual sense, but with a physical presence when possible.)  Many bloggers are examples of Role Model 3.0 - the tools and mindset of the blogger facilitate the interaction and accessibility needed to pull off the role.

A Note of Caution For The Famous

If we agree that Role Model 3.0 is the next step in the evolution of the role model (and we further agree that’s a good thing…)

There’s a long term trap or danger in becoming famous, having lots of subcribers, and growing your readership:  the loss of contact, responsiveness, and connection with your readers. 

Part of it is understandable:  famous people, authorities, and so on, tend to have less time to spend on interaction as they become entangled in the business of being themselves (an odd statement, but one with a lot of truth in it.)

But, if social media got you to where you are today (I’m thinking of the “A list” of bloggers), you run the danger of becoming irrelevant and losing your authority if you pull away from your audience or you introduce barriers to interaction.

I believe that the “A list” bloggers pioneered the concept of Role Model 3.0.

However, I also believe that they are gradually falling back to Role Model 2.0 if they ignore their audiences.  However, if they don’t have any appeal outside of social media or the blogosphere…  then they cease to be role models at all, unless they have enough of a personal life to qualify as Role Model 1.0.

So why should anyone care about being a role model?

Because people will listen when you speak.  Because people will care about your opinion.  Because people will talk about you and the things that you have to say.

Think about it.

Edit - Apr. 22/08 - it appears that Darren Rowse (Problogger) is thinking about this as well.

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