If I had a soap box it would probably be something about transparency. I think it is important for us to be real and genuine with each other. There's a message of respect and sincerity that comes from being true to who you are without the games or gimmicks.
I've been thinking a lot about how transparency relates to privacy. The messages today regarding social media are filtered through a need for safety, but we typically advise users to be cautious regarding information shared. I have a facebook and twitter profile that are both private. People have to request to be my "friend" or to "follow" me. Earlier this week I had 41 facebook friend requests waiting for an answer to go along with 10 potential followers on twitter. A few months ago I went through and denied everyone I had never hung out with and even deleted nearly 100 facebook "friends" who I hadn't spoken to since becoming "friends." I get frustrated when someone asks to connect and I add them only for them to pass me in the hall without speaking. I know people use social networking differently, but I was thinking I would prefer to know the people I share my information with.
This week I felt like as a step towards transparency I would take down a wall and connect with more people rather than less. I accepted nearly every request except for people I really didn't know. I think there's still a measure of safety and I'm not planning on sharing my address or my every moment whereabouts, but I feel like I shouldn't have anything to hide in terms of what I'm posting on facebook and twitter. If I'm not comfortable with random acquaintances reading about it, maybe I shouldn't be doing it. Not to mention I have a public blog where I'm sharing more personal information with people I'm not even connected with through other social networking sites.
I'm still trying to find the balance... how much is too much? In the end... I do believe in social networking in terms of creating community and if I can help facilitate that rather than perpetuating exclusivity and secrets, I want to do it.
I've been thinking a lot about how transparency relates to privacy. The messages today regarding social media are filtered through a need for safety, but we typically advise users to be cautious regarding information shared. I have a facebook and twitter profile that are both private. People have to request to be my "friend" or to "follow" me. Earlier this week I had 41 facebook friend requests waiting for an answer to go along with 10 potential followers on twitter. A few months ago I went through and denied everyone I had never hung out with and even deleted nearly 100 facebook "friends" who I hadn't spoken to since becoming "friends." I get frustrated when someone asks to connect and I add them only for them to pass me in the hall without speaking. I know people use social networking differently, but I was thinking I would prefer to know the people I share my information with.
This week I felt like as a step towards transparency I would take down a wall and connect with more people rather than less. I accepted nearly every request except for people I really didn't know. I think there's still a measure of safety and I'm not planning on sharing my address or my every moment whereabouts, but I feel like I shouldn't have anything to hide in terms of what I'm posting on facebook and twitter. If I'm not comfortable with random acquaintances reading about it, maybe I shouldn't be doing it. Not to mention I have a public blog where I'm sharing more personal information with people I'm not even connected with through other social networking sites.
I'm still trying to find the balance... how much is too much? In the end... I do believe in social networking in terms of creating community and if I can help facilitate that rather than perpetuating exclusivity and secrets, I want to do it.
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