Sometimes, we drown in the Internet. Between Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, the list goes on and on, we suffocate ourselves in it. We have no idea that it's happening. We begin caring about if Kylie Jenner has lip injections or if Taylor Swift is dating someone new. We become engulfed and we convince ourselves that this is what we truly care about. I was scrolling through my Facebook feed one morning as any other morning and I came to a realization -- what are we putting into our minds on social media? Is there such a thing as indulging in the Internet and still being able to get something constructive from it?
I decided to do some research. I wanted to find videos that I could share on social media that would make someone's day slightly better. I wanted to find internet personalities who gave purpose to social media, who may not have written novels, but who have the wisdom and the following to make a difference to someone; to awaken them, even if it's only for three minutes of their day. In this research, I have found four of the best internet personalities who will awaken your mind and soul, even for a few minutes.
Jason Silva
Described as an internet personality, filmmaker, and public speaker, "The Atlantic" named Silva, "The Timothy Leary of the Viral Video Age." Silva has produced and starred in the experimental film "Textures of Selfhood," was a presenter and producer on Al Gore's "Current TV," and is the host for National Geographic's "Brain Games." Silva has also spoken at Google, The Sydney Opera House, Microsoft, TEDGlobal, and the Festival of Dangerous Ideas. In his videos, he focuses on the idea of life, love, and soul, simplifying the complexities.
Over 300,000 people subscribe to Silva's "Shots of Awe" series and his videos have been viewed more than 15 million times. You can also follow Silva on his Twitter and Facebook to stay enlightened all day long.
Kyle Cease
Kyle Cease is a comedian and actor, notably from "10 Things I Hate About You," and "Not Another Teen Movie", however more recently, Cease has indulged in motivational speaking. Cease's videos are more of a personal monologue, using his unique style of "winging" his videos. Cease uses emotional magic to transform your thoughts, in the podcast-like style. You can watch more of Cease on his YouTube and can follow him on his Facebook for daily videos of insight.
Brene Brown
As an author, researcher, and public speaker, Brown digs deep into our darkest moments and exposes them in a mathematical way. Famous for studying shame and vulnerability, Brown gives us insight into why we possess these traits and how to indulge in them -- yes, indulge in them. Brown is also a researcher at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, has appeared on TED Talks and many segments of Super Soul Sunday on OWN, and has written eightbooks. She uses humor and humanity to show you us that life is OK, even within our fears and flaws. To view more from the self-proclaimed "Researcher + Storyteller," she has a website, Facebook, and TED profile.
Emilie Wapnick
Famous for her TED Talk, "Why Some of us Don't Have One True Calling," Wapnick, artist and writer, will illuminate your soul with accepting your uncertainties. After spending years not being able to find her "calling," Wapnick studied the idea of multipotentialities, leaving her to be featured on The Huffington Post and The Financial Times, and owns her own website -- Puttylike -- labelled "The Home for Multipotentialites!"
Drew Dudley
Dudley has built his platform on the idea that "leadership cannot be taught. It can only be learned." He is responsible for coordinating one of the largest university leadership development programs in Canada and is the Founder of Nuance Leadership. Dudley uses his "lollipop moments theory" to describe that we are all leaders, even if we don't define ourselves as a leader. He is quoted that the secret to leadership is to "plan to matter every day."
