Boast About It, and It's Toast

Summary

The author, Roopa, prefers Medium over Facebook as a social media platform because it encourages genuine storytelling and vulnerability without the fear of the "Evil Eye," a superstition about the negative consequences of boasting.

Abstract

Roopa's preference for Medium stems from its authentic and supportive community, which contrasts with her experience on Facebook in 2007. Her mother's warning about the "Evil Eye" led her to leave Facebook, avoiding the potential harm that boasting might bring to her children. On Medium, Roopa finds a space where sharing personal stories, including struggles, is valued more than boasting achievements. The platform's culture and the presence of editors who encourage deeper storytelling make Medium her favorite social media site. The authenticity of stories and the relatability of the writers, even among top earners, contribute to a supportive environment that resonates with Roopa and helps her avoid the complacency associated with the "Evil Eye."

Opinions

The author believes that boasting on social media can lead to complacency or carelessness, as per the "Evil Eye" superstition.
Roopa values Medium's emphasis on sharing true stories and personal struggles over simply showcasing successes.
She appreciates Medium's editors for helping writers reveal the genuine narrative behind their articles.
The author finds Medium's top writers to be relatable and empathetic, unlike some self-improvement gurus who may come across as inauthentic.
Roopa enjoys Medium for its real stories, written in accessible language and presented in an aesthetically pleasing format.

Evil Eye means this

Dated picture of me! Photo by author.

Just once, in 2007, my mother called me and said, “Roopa, get off Facebook right now. Your children will get the evil eye.”

The evil eye ought to be in Dr. Spock’s baby care book. Essentially it means — If you boast about your kids, the kids are toast. The scientific explanation for the Evil Eye effect is that boasting makes us complacent or careless.

That was the last time I posted on Facebook. Much later, when the term FOMO was coined, I realized that if I had continued, I might have needed therapy. I got off Facebook before I got the fear of missing out.

I plodded along in my secure little life, from home to my dental clinic, back home to encourage the kids to eat their vegetables, and then back to the clinic. For twenty years.

Now I’m on Medium, so why am I not afraid of the Evil Eye? Partly it’s because I used dated pictures of my kids, in some stories. So dated, my kids have their baby teeth in them.

Also, Medium, unlike how I used Facebook back in 2007, is not a gloat fest. It is a place to show your vulnerability. Even if you do have a thump-on-your-chest-and-boast article, an editor will reach in there and pull the true story out of you, which won’t all be crowns and trophies.

Even Medium’s elite, who share great earning stats, often have crushing tales behind them, so knowing the person behind the earning makes you feel for the guy. Though they help you improve, Medium Top Writers/Earners aren’t aggravating, like self-improvement gurus sometimes are, with their fake smiles and crisp suits.

So, yeah! True stories, which find you, about real people who share them, in readable language and a great font. My favorite “social media” site – Medium.

WHY MEDIUM IS MY FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA SITE

Boast About it, and it’s Toast

Evil Eye means this