From now on, articles relating to Web Design and Web affairs will appear under this sub-section. The typical web design article tends to be of the problem-solution format, where the problem typically relates to (1) an issue with Internet Explorer, (2) CSS, e.g. vertical centering techniques, or (3) some oddity resulting from the buggy implementation of the wmode=’transparent’ Flash parameter in Windows Firefox…

However, as my first article, I will touch upon a conceptual issue – namely that of the Internet and Narcissism. The interested reader, who would like to pursue these issues in depth is referred to: Narcissism 101, Hypertext Nation, and The Internet Breeds Narcissim & Conceit.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Narcissism can be defined as “Excessive preoccupation with self and lack of empathy for others.” Consider the following example: An individual tweets himself (on Twitter) 20 times a day, and everytime, his blog is updated that he has tweeted himself. On his blog, he also has a plug-in which shows how many times his page has been visited, and another, which depicts in realtime, the stats of every click on his site… All the articles are about himself. You can click a share button, where you can share this guy’s site on one of the many bookmarking services. You can vote for his popularity. You are face-to-face with the largest digital mirror – showing you what a great and suave guy our friend Mr. X is…

Certainly, it is evident that Mr. X is spending countless hours on the Internet, and certainly he appreciates your visit. But are you really the intended target of his affections?

Meta-discourse – not just talking, but talking about that you have just talked – constitutes one of the defining characteristics of our post-modern life-style. Hence, meta-discourse is essentially a reflective tool – a mirror of sorts – and readily lends itself to narcissistic use. And in Web 2.0, with its multitude of social networking sites, blogs, tweets, you tubes and vimeos, we can easily construct ourselves a wondrous chamber of mirrors – far removed from the harsh realities of everyday life – realities filled with the real emotions of happiness and joy, but also with the pain of rejection, and the fear of humiliation.

Internet Narcissism can be seen as an escape. From time to time, we all need a break from reality. Yet when the need to escape becomes obsessional, when the false, some prefer virtual, reality we construct becomes our sole source of escape and drug of choice for numbing ourselves – then we are well on our way into the world of the internet narcissist.

We all have our vulnerabilities. Men may wish to be virile, while women may aim for desirability. Unfortunately, a steady diet of virtual reality – that appears ‘real’ – so much more real than our usual fleeting fantasies – will not assist us in learning how to deal with who we are.

From a practical point of view, as you consider jumping on the Web 2.0 bandwagon – with a blog, or tweeter membership, or you tube videos – think about what you would like to get out of it. Certainly it could be a self-gratifying experience – nothing wrong with that at all. But if you are a business, or a professional, then I strongly urge you to think about what services you will be providing. Your Web 2.0 presence is not just any virtual reality, nor should it be an exercise in narcissistic masturbation…

At its best, your Web 2.0 presence constitutes a digital extension of your values and services – an unconditionally open door, that does not flaunt, caress, cajole, or taunt with popularity – an unconditionally open door that welcomes, and makes your visitor feel comfortable, and lets them know that you are open for business.