What a refreshing dose of honesty. The “don’t meet your heroes” observation is one I’ve felt personally, and it’s worth unpacking.
I was initially demoralized when I discovered the truth about Napoleon Hill. By all accounts, he was a fraud. He never met Andrew Carnegie, and the interviews with successful individuals that formed the foundation of Think and Grow Rich were largely fabricated. And yet, it remains one of the best-selling books in history, with estimated sales between 70 and 100 million copies. He died in the 1970s with roughly 30 million in print, meaning another 40 to 70 million copies sold in the half century since his death. He is widely credited with launching the entire self-help industry.
That realization forced me to confront something I had struggled with my entire life, the inability to separate the messenger from the message. The message, it turns out, still has value. The messenger was deeply flawed.
Your post is a reminder that most of what we consume online is performance, not truth. For those of us committed to integrity, that’s not discouraging, it’s an opening. And at the very least, we can look ourselves in the mirror and know we chose the harder, more honest path.
Days by days.. the cost of being real and something that look real is no longer matter.. it is just how ppl view that that matters.. as long as it seems real enough.. nobody would question.. and even some would question lesser one would be able to confirm... Until everything that looks real are just fake. That is when what is authentic matter.. because it will stand out...
Nah I don't think so.. it is still far from that point. The mass adoption phase of AI still nowhere near the plateau.. it is just the foot of that high hill where we are.
This will be years , maybe decade.. not days not month.
I wrote things about AI and how it think and talk. And I can see the journey is just beginning
Excellent point, Darius. It lands with particular force given the consistency and clarity of your work over the years. In an environment dominated by performance and intellectual posturing, your writing has remained distinctly practical, grounded, and sincere. That is not accidental—it is disciplined. Authenticity, in that sense, is not a style; it is a standard. And it is precisely what sustains trust long after attention fades.
I completely agree with your article. I have 3400+ "friends " on Facebook and I post pictures of my jobs (I'm a handyman) and you know who "Likes" and gives feedback are close friends and family. I'm good with that. I just turned 65 and would love to go back to the 1970s-80s when life was casual and not the fake existence we live in now.
Hey Larry. I think a lot of people can relate to this. So true about the close friends and family. Thanks for reading and taking the time to leave a note.
I work in marketing, and this one poked me in the ribs in a good way. Performing gets quick applause, sincerity builds the weird slow trust compounding curve, the one nobody screenshots on day one. Your reminder felt like a calibration check I needed this week.
Love this entire post. It speaks so much truth that I believe all of us as users of internet must know. Showing up authentically on the internet is not easy task at all. Most of us struggle to find our alignment in the real world itself. But making constant efforts towards being authentic will never go to waste. Even if we don't end up gaining traction, there is a sense of peace in knowing that we were growing by into a better version of ourselves by being authentic all along.
This really made sense to me. Today, most online connections feel fake and only for benefit. I liked your point that being honest is rare and powerful. Simple but very true.
What a refreshing dose of honesty. The “don’t meet your heroes” observation is one I’ve felt personally, and it’s worth unpacking.
I was initially demoralized when I discovered the truth about Napoleon Hill. By all accounts, he was a fraud. He never met Andrew Carnegie, and the interviews with successful individuals that formed the foundation of Think and Grow Rich were largely fabricated. And yet, it remains one of the best-selling books in history, with estimated sales between 70 and 100 million copies. He died in the 1970s with roughly 30 million in print, meaning another 40 to 70 million copies sold in the half century since his death. He is widely credited with launching the entire self-help industry.
That realization forced me to confront something I had struggled with my entire life, the inability to separate the messenger from the message. The message, it turns out, still has value. The messenger was deeply flawed.
Your post is a reminder that most of what we consume online is performance, not truth. For those of us committed to integrity, that’s not discouraging, it’s an opening. And at the very least, we can look ourselves in the mirror and know we chose the harder, more honest path.
That’s very interesting. Thanks for sharing!
Days by days.. the cost of being real and something that look real is no longer matter.. it is just how ppl view that that matters.. as long as it seems real enough.. nobody would question.. and even some would question lesser one would be able to confirm... Until everything that looks real are just fake. That is when what is authentic matter.. because it will stand out...
But when?
That’s it. I think we’re getting closer and closer to that point.
Nah I don't think so.. it is still far from that point. The mass adoption phase of AI still nowhere near the plateau.. it is just the foot of that high hill where we are.
This will be years , maybe decade.. not days not month.
I wrote things about AI and how it think and talk. And I can see the journey is just beginning
Haha you sound very confident. Your view is a bit too pessimistic for me my friend.
Excellent point, Darius. It lands with particular force given the consistency and clarity of your work over the years. In an environment dominated by performance and intellectual posturing, your writing has remained distinctly practical, grounded, and sincere. That is not accidental—it is disciplined. Authenticity, in that sense, is not a style; it is a standard. And it is precisely what sustains trust long after attention fades.
Appreciate the feedback!
Years ago, I came across something from Jeffrey Gitomer, the sales guru that came to mind as I read this.
Just so we are on the same page about truth and lies:
“Omission” is a lie.
“For their own good” is a lie.
“Didn’t want to hurt them” is a lie.
“Small lie” is a lie.
“Hiding facts” is a lie.
Any questions?
It is one of the Ten Commandments, yet men of the cloth lie.
Telling the whole truth takes character, conviction, and courage.
Telling the whole truth takes ethics, morality, honesty, and full disclosure.
No honesty, no trust.
Loss of faith comes from lack of truth.
Loss of trust comes from lack of truth.
Loss of faith and trust are symptoms.
Lack of truth is the problem.
Faith and trust stem from the truth.
Jeffrey Gitomer
I like this.
Goodness, this was a stellar read—from an aspiring writer and a determined videographer. Thanks for sharing!
Glad it’s useful!
I completely agree with your article. I have 3400+ "friends " on Facebook and I post pictures of my jobs (I'm a handyman) and you know who "Likes" and gives feedback are close friends and family. I'm good with that. I just turned 65 and would love to go back to the 1970s-80s when life was casual and not the fake existence we live in now.
Larry Connor
Hey Larry. I think a lot of people can relate to this. So true about the close friends and family. Thanks for reading and taking the time to leave a note.
I work in marketing, and this one poked me in the ribs in a good way. Performing gets quick applause, sincerity builds the weird slow trust compounding curve, the one nobody screenshots on day one. Your reminder felt like a calibration check I needed this week.
Love this entire post. It speaks so much truth that I believe all of us as users of internet must know. Showing up authentically on the internet is not easy task at all. Most of us struggle to find our alignment in the real world itself. But making constant efforts towards being authentic will never go to waste. Even if we don't end up gaining traction, there is a sense of peace in knowing that we were growing by into a better version of ourselves by being authentic all along.
That’s true, Mansi. Thanks for reading!
Thank you, Darius. Sincerity is not dead. It is back. When everything is fake, being sincere is a big advantage. Not transparency. Sincerity.
Well said, Cedric.
Great piece of advice - thank you for reminding us!
Thanks for reading!
Insightful article. Any ideas on what a person of integrity can do to change the world...? Asked sincerely....Don
Thanks. I tend to think, “how can I help solve a problem for someone?” Thinking small.
Thank you for this outstanding article, and point of view. Your sincerity and character really shine through in all of your writing.
This really made sense to me. Today, most online connections feel fake and only for benefit. I liked your point that being honest is rare and powerful. Simple but very true.
That’s fair.