#Tag for Dummies

It took me a while to understand what a hashtag actually was and how it was being used. I knew that it created a virtual tag but didn't know the implication. And when I did really understand it's use, I was quite impressed. I could see the possibility of gathering information on a particular topic/issue and views of variety of people from around the globe.

But the sad part was I thought I was the only one who understood it. Because all I could see was hashtags littered all around social media like someone had forgotten to gather them all up and put them in their proper place. And since then I've been thinking about writing this piece of "not so necessary" write up. And yes I call it "Hash Tag for DUMMIES" because they really are dumb.

I will talk about how and why to use it, and some tips I discovered myself to make it more effective:

1. Hash tags are meant to give a virtual tag to a word that is associated with some topic/issue that you'd want to be discovered by people. Like if you want the world and people around social media to know about your thought on Donald Trump being the president of USA then you could use a number of hashtags like #Trump #DonaldTrump #PresidentofAmerica #PresidentofUSA etc. But that is again only if you want your view to be discovered and if you're looking for some kind of feedback.

2. Hashtags have to be properly used. Like you can't afford to have spelling mistakes. You can't write #Tump and expect to be discovered by people looking for views on Trump.

3. Hashtags can't have SPACES any where in between. I've seen people doing "# Trump". It's not tagged dear Dummy.

4. Hashtags can't be too long. #DonaldTrumpbecomesthepresidentofunitedstatesofamerica doesn't make any sense because you are the only one who has this hashtag. And anyone clicking on it probably will just see your post and there are very less chances that someone else is using it elsewhere. The probability is less because the probability of someone as DUMB as you existing anywhere else on Earth is very less. Also since there is no space in between, some people can't even read what it means. They'll give up after Donald.

5. Hashtags have to be related to an issue. But DUMB people around the world have been using it for issues like "#Ihadaverybadshitsessiontoday" or #Ihadbreakfasttoday. Well I nor anyone in this world doesn't want to know about how much shit you off loaded in the morning or what you had for breakfast. If someone does find such things interesting about you then understand that that person is STALKING you.

6. One of the most annoying thing for me is when people tag useless words like #the #is #I. I like to say #FuckYou and I'm not giving any explanation for why you shouldn't do it.

7. Now for some tips to make your hashtag better. Since hashtags don't have spaces in between the words, it's always wise to capitalize the first letter of each word. Like #DonaldTrumpJoinsWhiteHouse. Now you can easily identify each word.

8. You can start your own hashtag but again it should be related to a certain issue. Like I use #BeingTheChange for every post I make related to social change. Here you should understand that there has to be a series of posts. Just one post and it won't make any sense.

9. Or you can follow someone elses hashtag. Simply login to twitter and see the trending ones.

10. Not every social media recognizes hashtags. Like I can't use a hashtag in this article. I can use it when I'm sharing it on facebook or twitter.

So I guess after reading these 10 points put very specifically, I have great hope that my friends who're reading it will become slightly less DUMB and come up with some great hashtags.

Seto Daari

One fine day I see myself in the mirror and to my surprise I see a white strand in my beautiful bush of beard. The first thought was to pluck it out. I did try as well but then it was too short to hold.

Then I gave up for a few days. But after that I decided not to  pluck it out. Now it's as long as seen in the picture. People have been pointing at it. And one person even asked me to post something about it. Though I was thinking of doing so, that request actually made me do this small write up.

It's now a reminder to me for quite a few things.
Firstly it's a reminder that I am getting OLD. But on the other hand it's also a reminder for me to remain YOUNG though I am getting old. Remain young at heart at least.

Secondly it's a reminder that it's too late for a lot of things I wanted to do in life. But again it also reminds me that it's better now than never. So it keeps me motivated to try new things now.

Thirdly it's a reminder for me to prepare myself. Prepare myself for the future and old age. Prepare myself to age gracefully and respectfully. And prepare myself to prepare for the responsibility of people who're younger than me. My students, my brothers and sisters and most importantly my SON.

Lastly it makes me wonder about what if there's the second one and the third and then on and on and on? Will I have to dye it or let it be? Shall I shave it or wear them proudly? Well let's see.

I still remember the story "Pehla Safed Baal" which was in our Hindi course in 9th standard. The story typically depicted the woes of a person when he spots the first white hair on his head. And this white strand took me back to it.

But after all this, some people may think that I'm just an over-thinker who's thought a bit too much about an overrated white strand of protein.