This morning, at work, I was tasked with shooting a video of a conference meeting. It was a lot of fun, actually. What I mean is that, it’s fun to be behind the camera and see every detail of what’s going on anywhere I wish to point the lens towards. And anywhere usually means, any person that I feel requires attention at a given moment.

Now, I’m not talking about acting here. There’s no rehearsal, no makeup, no costumes. This is a company meeting, for crying out loud! Nobody even expects a cameraman to show up, unannounced. And when someone sees one of those big black things pointing at them, like they’re being held at gunpoint, you can pretty much expect a look of self-consciousness, pretty much all of the time. Especially, when their un-Photoshopped faces are magnified, to their horror, on a humongous wall screen.

I’m not making fun of anybody here, by the way. I would feel the same, if I saw me blown up on a screen, twenty times my real size. Sheesh! I can’t imagine anyone feeling comfortable either. Unless of course, you’re Paris Hilton. Or, God forbid, Gene Simmons!

It made me think, though, of how self-consciousness is such a deep-seated characteristic of the human nature. Our choices and decisions are affected, in a big way, by how we think others will react to them. There are positive aspects to this. As well as negative ones. I mean, I would think that it only makes sense for one to shower and dress appropriately, when going to be around other people. But then, who is it really for, when one decides to get a little nip and tuck, just to get rid of those eye bugs that naturally come with age, anyway? Another example is, that it’s only right to lose weight and be healthy. But, to whom are you killing yourself for that million-dollar six-pack, or a weight count that rivals that of your dog?

It makes me think that, we sometimes tend to find our confidence in the approval of others. I wonder if it’s still necessary to drive an outrageously priced sports car when you’re the only person left on the planet? Even when there’s no one around to be envious of you? I wonder if image would still be an issue?

So yeah, self-consciousness. I’m not sure what to make of it, though. Some of it, I think is good. And some, I just think is ridiculous. Sometimes, it’s modesty. Other times, it’s vanity. Sometimes, freedom. Other times, slavery.

There’s so much more I want expound on, regarding this topic, but I’m afraid I’m now getting a little self-conscious myself. About spewing out personal philosophy, that is. I don’t like it. So I’ll stop.

But I’ll, at least, ask… What do you think?