Before the internet, people had limited space and possibility to show off or brag about anything. They mostly tortured those who they were in contact with, with whatever nonsense they thought the other has to know by all means. There were braggers back then as that's human nature, but I think people were a bit more modest, or limited in showing off.
After the internet has become available for everyone, the functionally illiterate included, things got really worse. My brothers is always saying, "before the internet, only your family knew you're stupid, now the whole world knows" and that's true.
Every smartphone comes with certain social media platforms already installed and most of the mobile subscriptions have internet, so access to these platforms has never been easier. This is good news as it connects people, but comes at a price as there are many who don't know how to handle it.
The situation becomes even worse, when people who made money are bragging on X and flexing with watches, cars and luxury trips, as if they could not live without bragging about it, or the need validation, or they think other people are jealous. This has become the norm and if you don't do it, they look down on you. It's like an elite club they have created for themselves and who flexes more, wins the race.
There are no written rules against flexing, just moral rules, if you have any, but obviously they have a not so hidden agenda in doing so. Most are hoping to get more subscribers for their useless paid group and most are also paid shill. New users unfortunately tend to measure their success and value by the level of luxury they are seeing and are falling for these traps. Good thing we have a "block" function that works well and helps in making them disappear for good. I don't know about you, but I'm ok without wasting my time with such content and better focus on what's really important in life.
Last week I think it was when I saw a post on X, that surprised me in the best way possible. This is what the post was about.
My biggest flex isn't a house, car or watch.
It's allowing my partner to be a full time mum.
Our son is 16 months old and we will never get these years back.
The fact that I've made work optional for her is a blessed situation to be in.
She'll likely choose to work again once our children are in school but it will be on her terms.
That's my biggest flex 馃
I've known this guy for several years, he has always come across as an hones, down to earth person and trust me, it takes courage to write something like he did as the flex type doesn't want to see it. In a world where a statement like "Imagine taking advice from a woman" gets celebrated and laughed at like a very good joke, such attitude is not welcomed. Fortunately he didn't get any nasty comments, not that he would care as what he's doing is the right thing.
On the opposite end there's the guy I met once in a trading group, who was asking for a small donation of $5000, to be able to trade, as he lost his rent money. He said his wife is working 2 jobs already, so he can't as her to take a third job so they can pay rent. I preferred to sit this one out as what I'd have said he would not put in the window (Hungarian saying), but there were plenty of my trader partners who told him to get his head out of his ass, get a job and act like a man.
A few days ago I saw another post from a user I follow for the knowledge they share, saying this:
Homeless guy was walking through the outdoor seating area of a restaurant we ate at last night, asking people for help buying a piece of pizza. Management went to kick him out so I said get him dinner on me.
He picked flowers and came to the end of our table, got on one knee, bowed his head and gave them to my daughter.
There is no finisher to this story, just a reminder to do good, and remember we are all kind of the same person with different circumstances.
This is a guy who made it trading and has not forgotten where he's coming from, like so many have.
Unfortunately these examples are rare on social media. There are some who are donating in critical situations, like earth cake, or humanitarian crises like the Palestinian situation, but they make sure their name is plastered on every pack or corner, for people to know. Nice gesture as those care packs cost money, but they care about their image as well. Why not profit when they are sacrificing their funds, right?
In a virtual space you never know what's true and what's not, but these behaviors can give you an indication of what kind of people you're dealing with. I don't know about you, but I'm not the cheerleader type, to worship these people and just make them disappear from my timeline and prefer to keep those who know what real value is.
Money changes people and not always in a good way.
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