My Net Worth
My Net Worth…
If you’ve never tried it, you should type your own name into the search bar.
Inspired by a friend to check it out, here are my reflections through three lenses - technologist, meditation practitioner, and as a creative.
As a Technologist
Okay, so… how old am I, and how much money do I have? That is what Google thinks people want to know about me.
Is it really what people are searching for? I had a friend who is a Google Analytics wiz check it out, and turns out -
#1 search is indeed my Net Worth!
This got me thinking, because I too have typed in someone’s name and been prompted to complete my search phrase with “net worth.”
Which came first, the search, or the search prompt? 🐓 🥚 Or common searches for others with digitally similar characteristics?
Searches work best on precise matches with a lot of sources, so knowable, structured information. It is a lot simpler to figure out my birthday than what my laugh sounds like, for example.
As a Meditation practitioner
Regardless, why? What is my net worth? If we want to know something about a person, are their financials the most interesting thing? We all know the dangers of the social media skewed versions of ourselves, falsely positive highlights only. But, overall, if you live a fairly technology-involved life, your digital footprint should reflect a more whole view of who you really are.
What is the net worth of a human? All of their assets, reduced by all of their debts, and what remains?
My net worth is plenty. Plenty of hard laughs & hard work. Plenty of love. Plenty of family & friends. I have debts in times of sadness, mistakes, disappointments, but my assets fair outweigh those.
I aim to touch people’s lives positively, in both small and large ways. I’ve created some stuff I’m proud of: software, renovated historic buildings, written and spoken words, art, ideas, and a whole amazing human.
But here is the real shame of the way our brains have been shaped to define what we are most curious to know - our lives, just like economics, are constantly evolving. Our worth shifts, even after we are no longer walking (hopefully barefoot) on this Earth. And, worth isn’t defined by a single measure of authority, regardless to what you’re attempting to assign value - money, love, creativity, wrong choices.
There is no net. There only is.
As a Creative
If you don’t care about the tech, or the philosophical musings, at least agree with me that searching for someone’s net worth is - at a minimum - uninspired.
Let’s give those algorithms something to think about! Start searching for truly fascinating stuff.
… gardening tips
… favorite cereal
… most read book
… smiles per day
… sheets thread count
… pinch the basil off right above where you see small leaves starting and never let it flower
… Kashi blueberry clusters
… The Fountainhead tied with The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
… As many as possible, both on my face and those around me
… Shrug. Kind of think thread count is fake news
Apologies if after reading this post, you still haven’t found what you’re looking for; but, I do wish you the best of luck on all your future searches!
