by Paul Kiser
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Paul Kiser
I have had several discussions with people who have a fear of the Internet and Social Media tools. The common issue that arises is regarding privacy, which to me is an interesting concern. Being concerned that you’re giving up your privacy if you use the Internet is, to me, a Homer Simpson moment.
I’m not sure where anyone got the idea that writing something and sending it out over a public system of servers, visible to almost anyone, and recorded for all time would be private, but for those of you who have that impression, let me read you your rights:
Your Right to Privacy on the Internet
- You have a right to stay silent.
- You have a right to not participate in Internet/online activities.
- You have a right to consult an attorney before you participate in any Internet/online activities.
- You have the right to stay in your house, block up the windows and never go out into public.
- If you choose to participate in any Internet/online activities, anything you say can and will:
- be considered a reflection of your public image
- be available for anyone in the world to access
- be recorded for the remainder history of the civilized world
- be used against you now, or in the future
- If you choose to NOT participate that will NOT prevent:
- People from talking about you on the Internet
- People using your image for almost any purpose
The Internet, and Social Media tools like Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and LinkedIn allow people to communicate in a way we’ve never been able to communicate before. It is not intended for private discussions, but it is an open forum. That makes some people uncomfortable, and while I understand that, I also have to wonder why people have a need to say something they are not willing to say publicly?
There is still a time and place for a personal, one-to-one conversation to discuss matters between the two people, but isn’t that better to be done in person? Privacy is not what one should expect when using the Internet, but it is the place for ideas and concepts to be discussed in an open environment that values the input of all. Yes, sometimes the stupid people have louder voices and win the day, but at some point people will look back and learn who was behaving stupidly and who was really correct.
Here are four things I try to keep in mind when participating in online activities:
- Sometimes I’m going to say something stupid. I’m human and I will have to buck up and take responsibility for it.
- Sometimes people are going to ridicule what I have to say. That doesn’t mean they are correct and it may be a reflection of their poor judgement, not mine.
- By participating I will learn more than I could if I did not participate. Sometimes the lesson will be difficult, but that will usually mean I will learn more.
- Social Media is not the alpha and omega of life, but it is one of the most powerful communication tools ever conceived.
Now you have been read your rights… you can take it from here.
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