The internet has made the world smaller and easier for people to get to know another person. Back in grade school and high school (for people my age), to know some information about our crush or whoever we find interesting we ask questions to our connections related to our crush (the connection may probably be even more complicated: friend of a friend of another friend and so on).
But today, one can already know a lot of things about a certain person because of the internet. Because of Social Networking Sites and blogs, we are able to get a lot of information (from basic to too personal) about anyone. Probably, because of my research-inclinations, whenever I find a person interesting or I just feel the need to get information about someone, it's automatic for me to Google a person's name. It's not being a stalker. But often, it has something to do with work.
Me: Hey, tell your officemate* (who I don't personally know) I saw her at Avenue Q.
Friend: Creepy ka talaga.
I may be creepy but hey, it wasn't me who posted information about you. Making somethings about yourself available in the internet is your responsibility. So don't freak out when you find someone who knows you even if you don't know them.
If you know how I look because you searched my name (since when you view my blogger profile, my real name is posted) in Friendster and saw my primary photo ** (which is accessible by anyone: oops! but I've just deleted my account days after this post. more on that soon), I won't freak out (I should try not to since I was the one who posted my picture). But probably the most important question that will run in my head is, "Why was he/she interested to know me and get information about me?" Which is more interesting to find out.
*That officemate was my source for the job post I forwarded to my friend. My friend and that person are now officemates because of that job post email. Before forwarding the post to my friend, I did a bit of background check of the source (that officemate) using Google and I was directed to her different blogs that contain her pictures. It was just pointless to tell my friend that I saw her officemate at Avenue Q. Wala lang. Trip ko lang.
** Now I'm thinking. What if information gathered about you (e.g. your previous activities, your friends) came from somewhere else (e.g. Friendster account of a friend)? Should there be some sort of SOP in asking your friend's approval that you're going to post some of your pictures with him/her (especially when they don't have a Friendster account or they are too private)?
2 comments:
(1) Yes, there should be a protocol. Unless it's at a public event (where professional photographers could take your photo) photos of someone need to be cleared with that person before being posted online. Once something is online, it's beyond your control. Google Ira Eigenmann :))
(2) Yes, you are creepy. :)
You were staying somewhere in Galleria when you posted your comment. Creepy. Nah, I'm creepy if I post your pictures here (similar to Ira's) which I don't have. :))
With Friendster and Multiply around, a lot seem to care less about asking permission. Parang normal na lang ang magpost ng pictures kung sinuman ang kasama mo. But for me, I still make sure to ask for permission or inform the person at least.
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