Simply Social- a tribute to Jamie Dordek (@jamield)

What is a social network? Well, Wikipedia defines it as: “an online community of people who share interests and/or activities, or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others.” A good solid concept right? I mean what’s so bad about a community or a group of people coming together due to common interests? Yet anytime I mention social networking to others, I often receive a look of anticipation that alarmingly awaits to see which item I’ll burn first, my bra or the flag. After all, “the frantic global rush to connect everyone to everyone, all the time, is quietly giving rise to a revised version of socialism,” (Kevin Kelly, Wired Magazine) right? Absolutely. However, “We're not talking about your grandfather's socialism. In fact, there is a long list of past movements this new socialism is not. It is not class warfare. It is not anti-American; indeed, digital socialism may be the newest American innovation. While old-school socialism was an arm of the state, digital socialism is socialism without the state. This new brand of socialism currently operates in the realm of culture and economics, rather than government—for now.” (Kevin Kelly, Wired Magazine) Twitter for example, in its own words, is "a free social messaging utility for staying connected in real-time;" A global text-message, if you will, that allows others to follow you and allows all to Cybersocialize Freely. In my opinion, the fact that one can follow another, minute by minute as they sip coffee in Paris, become engaged in Brazil, or run a Marathon in Los Angeles is liberating. The idea that a Photography business in Austria can learn from the tips and secrets shared from another Photography business in New Zealand is stimulating. Up until now, I've always been a little fish in a big pond, today I not only create my own pond but I also decide the size of my fish. It is, to me, the most inspirational source of global networking I have ever seen. And yes . . . it’s socialism.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m new to many of these social networks and in the beginning they did not strike my fancy. At first I found them annoying and ego centric; A popularity contest that was destined to create cyberjunkies out of us all, another obsessive compulsive excuse that reinforced us to never leave the close confines of our own couches, forcing us to become withdrawn, and to "veg" all day. It can be that, indeed . . . It isn’t that for me. Just like anything in this world, you have to find its relevancy for yourself. You can either grow from it, take advantage of it, hide from it or exploit it but the greatest part about “it?” . . . is that the choice is yours.

Take Jamie Dordek (or @Jamield) for example. She was a hard working, Los Angeles, Client Relationship Manager who had placed herself on a wide spectrum of social networks. I happened to find her on Twitter, where her description read, “A glimpse into the travels of a professional girl.” A friend of mine, had turned me on to her posts. I mean with posts like “You're not nearly as cool, special, twee or inspiring as you think you are. Felt good to get that out. Now I'm off to beat some kittens,” to “In Ireland! I fit right in! Everyone is ruddy, round and smiley. I've found my people,” how could you not get hooked. Her personality was charismatic and electric. Her adventures could be as trivial as a brief description of the pair of shoes she was wearing to as weighty as the next destination of her “yellow suitcase.” She was spontaneous and uninhibited. Like a favorite novel that you just can’t put down, we were all intrigued to hear the next witticism, punch-line, phrase word or "video clip" and all of this of coarse led to her blog, ORD to LAX, which I’m sure received many hits, as people grew to know her. It was undeniable, she drew in hundreds. “She embraces joy rather than angst, gratitude rather than envy, hope rather than fear. She is the kind of person I yearn to be.” (Emily, Pleasure Notes)

Well about a week ago I was informed that Jamie had passed away. It seemed a lil surreal, but there it was. Her death had occurred shortly after her tremendous adventure in Ireland. It was reported that she had died from a blood clot that had formed within her body after spraining her ankle from an innocent fall and then flying shortly afterward. Everyone had the same thought- who knew that you could die from a sprained ankle? The online out pour of affection was breathtaking. The sentiment was delivered on nearly every popular social screen. This woman had effected so many and her death had created a common outcry and public display of emotion. She had stopped tweeting, and there were no longer updates on her blog. It was real . . . her adventures had come to a halt and it effected many . . .

“Even though Jamie only got 32 years to cram her life into, she lived her life full out. There wasn't a person in that room whose life hadn't become more vibrant because of The J Woman. I couldn't help falling in love with her myself.” –(Eli Davidson, The Huffington Post)

"I don’t know where I go from here, but I do know that I want to honor Jamie. I want to be of support to the amazing family and other friends she left behind too soon. I want to walk through the world with passion and self-confidence and tenacity. I owe it to Jamie, now, to do more than yearn for a life fully lived. I owe it to her to live it.” –(Emily, Pleasure Notes)

"Social Networking sites connect us to people. . . They are real, whether you’ve spent time with the person in “real life,” just talked to them over the phone, or just online. All these relationships mean something. That fact is never more pronounced than when someone is suddenly gone." (Jeremy Meyers)

This woman was a stranger to me, and yet she wasn’t. She would never recognize me on the street and yet she shared her life with me and I devoured it, line for line. Socialism? Absolutely. I embrace it. For me, Social networking is like the Kindle of people. I consistently hold hope close to my heart that one day we can all communicate openly and appreciate each individual's journey. I truly hope that it's like Kevin Kelly states, that "Digital socialism may be the newest American innovation." (Kevin Kelly, Wired Magazine) And I hope it's here to stay.

In honor of Jamie, I have reflected on my own life. I will try harder to live it, love it, share it and laugh as much as possible. I am truly grateful for all I have been given, the travels that I have embarked upon and the people I have come to know and love. I am truly blessed and celebrate every day by living each and every moment to its fullest . . .

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

- Dr. Seuss







PS: I am having a lot of problems with my comment pages. Don't let that deter you, let your voice be heard- please email me at jencastlephotography@gmail.com and let me know your thoughts cause I definitely look forward to reading them.