Who needs real life when you have the internet? You can do your banking on the internet. You can listen to music and watch your favorite TV show on the internet. You can reunite with old friends on the internet. You can even fall in love on the internet.

"The internet is a place where absolutely nothing happens."
-Strong Bad

I'm a long-time fan of the internet for all of the wonderful information it possesses, but as of late, I'm beginning to think that the internet's dark side is further revealing itself under the guise of *Tun Tun Tunnn* Status Updates!

I've been noticing how the internet, or better said, social networking websites have made it possible for the masses to volunteer their every move via "status updates". At first, I thought it was cute and fun, but now I think people are entering status updates not only too frequently, but also with information that is too personal to post for the public to see. Either way, I think everyone's willingness to post frequent and personal status updates can open doors to things that can later haunt us.

With all of the information available on the internet, we can now say a lot of our own personal information is also available for the world to see. The more time passes by, the more information we can showcase on websites. It has its advantages, but if you're not trying to promote anything, I don't think it is beneficial to be Googleable. Nowadays, your future or potential employer can go on MySpace or Facebook to see what you're REALLY about, and use that as a deciding factor on whether or not to hire you. (Something to consider when you're thinking about putting that big marijuana gif file as your background.) It also allows non-stalkers to become stalkers, and stalkers to become more of a threat. On a bigger view, the governments of the world can now get a good idea about what the masses are thinking or our general mood, if you will. It may even be to test out how much information we're willing to submit to inspire new ideas and ways to further take away our privacy. Something to think about...

Our privacy is quickly becoming non-existent. Isn't it enough that we get our video taken every time we step out? Now these networking websites are cleverly enabling us to submit information about ourselves on an hourly to daily basis. There is even an apparently addictive website dedicated only to status updates (Twitter.com). Might as well have a GPS tracker strapped on. Anyway, I say "cleverly," because everyone craves attention, and you know that when you see that empty space that asks you "What are you doing right now?" you just want to quickly fill it in with your current activity so that all your friends can respond and show you "love" or pity depending on what you've written. May God help us all.

-Jean Goode

P.S.
These Dentyne ads are special and I like them:

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