Digital Diaries

Recently I experienced going ‘viral’. Not that it was really viral viral. I was attending a wedding and noticed a lady recording on her mobile non-stop. Suddenly the mobile came in front of our faces. We were a couple of relatives sitting together. The lady wanted to know who we were and how we were related to the groom/bride.

Then the video went on Facebook. After that I received a lot of messages from my well wishers informing me about seeing me on Facebook and also sending the link. Alas… I do not exist on Facebook. Some wanted to know whose wedding it was, another questioned me on the colour of my dress and some were tickled seeing me in the lady’s vlog. I then learnt that the lady had a small shop in my locality and she began recording videos of Assamese traditions and customs and later expanded her genre.

I am impressed that a not so educated lady has learnt techniques of recording and editing and uploading home made videos. There are many more ladies in Assam who are doing the same. Some share their personal lives and give us a peek into their homes, kitchens and gardens. I understand all of them are trying to become ‘influencers’,  a new profession apparently.

Why are they doing it? Instead of converting their hobbies (cooking, gardening, video graphing etc.) into an entrepreneurial venture and earning money, why are they vlogging? You may tell me that influencers also earn money. Well…. I have my reservations on that. I also agree that Instagram is the new marketing avenue and it has paid dividends to small entrepreneurs who have promoted their products and services through this medium.

Is it the need to create an instant identity and obtain a ‘celebrity’ status? Or is it the need to see oneself on digital media and feel like a film star? My maid also makes Instagram reels and posts them on her WhatsApp status. I wonder which latent need of her’s is being fulfilled. Then there are YouTube videos where people share interesting and useful information that we seek. For e.g. getting rid of household pests or bathroom cleaning tips or organizing our home space etc.

So, it may be a need to share the knowledge or skill set or a network that we have with the world. It maybe an intention to help people or make someone happy. I too watch “Aiyyo Shradha” because her sense of sophisticated humour appeals to me and leaves me smiling. When we upload stuff on the internet, and we have readers or viewers who connect with us and say that they found it meaningful, we generate Oxytocin in our body and it creates waves of positive energy. What could be a better feeling than that!!