Random Thoughts on Internet Privacy
I've never really considered myself a paranoid type person. A worrier? Yes. Paranoid? Not really. So I wasn't so paranoid about joining Myspace. But if you are one of my myspace friends you will notice that I deleted my profile. It's actually kind of a funny phenomenon - this whole myspace thing. At first I liked going on there and finding out what happened to my best friend from 6th grade, the metal head that lived on my street, seeing that bloggers were on there, etc. And then one day something funny happened.
I found a client on there.
That kind of freaked me out. What if my clients at work were finding my myspace page? What if my boss sees it? Do I need them to see the modern day equivalent of my senior yearbook picture?
Oh and you know those people that you knew once, the ones who you didn't really dislike, but also have no reason to keep in touch with? Oh they're on myspace too! And they'll find you! And I've seen numerous people play mind games with other people on there, continue to keep track of people they should let go of, etc. All around, I was beginning to think that Myspace is the spawn of Satan.
Then in the car the other day I heard this NPR story on a similar website, Facebook, and overall internet privacy.
So I deleted my profile.
But the whole thing made me think about privacy and how funny it is to be a blogger. What you all may not know about me is that, despite the fact that I have a blog, I'm actually kind of a private person. I am completely fine with you knitters whom I've met and haven't met and other bloggers reading this, but somewhat uncomfortable with the fact that people I know in real life - friends, family, acquaintances - also read this. I sometimes say things on here, that I wouldn't be comfortable discussing in person, or just wouldn't think to mention to people when I am talking to them.
Do all of you deal with this same weird dilemma?
I can't give it up though, I've met so many cool people through it. I'm facing new issues thinking about whether or not to blog about the baby when he comes. I think I'm honestly going to keep the blogging about the baby to a minimum and just do a photosite instead. Who am I to give someone so tiny an internet life before he can make that choice for himself?
On a less serious note, turkey bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado, mayonaise and wheat bread make the best sandwich ever.
Posted by jen at January 6, 2007 05:23 PM
Comments
I'm pretty open on my blog - but I'm mostly open about my thoughts and feelings - nothing that I wouldn't tell a complete stranger because I'm nutty like that.
What I always find funny is that my family all know about my blog - but aside from my sister (who I talk to 18 times a day) reading it occasionally - no one does. They all ignore it.
My business is out there on the web so I'm not really worried about the privacy thing because owning my own company if you want me you can find me, you know? I think you just have to find the balance that you need.
That DOES sound like the best sandwich ever.
Posted by: Cara at January 6, 2007 09:57 PM
I absolutely know what you mean. As a matter of fact, most of the 'real people' in my life don't even know about my blog. Funny the way the psyche works.
Posted by: dlj at January 6, 2007 10:16 PM
Imagine what it was like for me after being known as Scout online for 10 years to have Vickie Howell announce my name on TV....it's scary people will soon know my real name.
When I was pregnant I loved peanut butter, banana and honey!
Posted by: scout at January 6, 2007 10:50 PM
I completely know how you feel. I do have a facebook page, but keep it pretty general...and you can't see my profile unless you're my "friend" which I have to approve. As for the kiddo, I did a password protected family blog, mainly for posting tons of pictures and things that noone cares about by my mom who lives away from us. It's hard to draw the line to not post about someone that is such a major part of your life...that's the tough part, I think.
Posted by: sarah b. at January 7, 2007 12:17 AM
I hear ya. I am about to delete my MySpace page any day now. I'm just over it. I wasn't on there much anyway, and most of the people who have found me on there are the people who I dont' really care to get back in touch with anyway. Oh,a nd some people from work. Eek! Bloggers are different because I can still get in touch with you HERE :)
Posted by: Stacey at January 7, 2007 01:26 PM
Yeahhh.... I think I stall out on blogging because I am also a private person and I'm not so thrilled to have even my mom read certain things (and, oh yes, she is all over reading it). That's why I try to keep it mostly about knitting. ;-)
I'm probably going to delete my myspace page too. It was fun for about 2 seconds, but now I'm over it.
Posted by: Maya at January 7, 2007 03:53 PM
At this stage of my life, myspace and facebook are just fine and dandy for me. It's great to keep track of friends/ find old friends etc...but that's as far as I take it. Myspace dating?...weeeird. But in less that 10 years if I'm a professor I'm sure I won't want students finding me. But I'm sure in that time, facebook and other online communities will be history (haha, or will they?)
And blogging....yeah...I really have a problem with people I know from "real life" reading it...family/ friends/ etc. But why? who knows...but I totally understand your dilemma :)
Posted by: may at January 7, 2007 11:27 PM
Does this mean I have to stop reading now?
Pout, pout.
Posted by: Rachel at January 11, 2007 09:58 AM
