SiteOnline is forever
Whenever I get together with my one of my local writing buddies (and friend!), our meeting generates a bazillion ideas for this blog. We should meet up more often, D!
We were chatting about an online board we both belong to and wondering what possesses people to share so much with strangers. I’m not talking about sharing contacts or market tips — we’re talking personal stuff like family issues, marriage problems, and health dilemmas. I mentioned, too, that my mouth has dropped open at some of the things people admit on Twitter. I’m no prude, but oy!
I’m an open book with my friends and family — less so with strangers, although I know I’m more garrulous than my friend. She pointed out that although this board is private — that is, you have to pay to belong — it offers only an illusion of privacy. You’re not just divulging your marriage problems and personal biases to the writers who post frequently and with whom you might feel a certain kinship, but to anyone who has ponied up the membership fee and lurks. That means one of your editors could be reading about your thorny family conflicts or how you really feel about a sticky social policy.
Maybe this isn’t a problem for you. Maybe you’re the kind of writer who makes a living by offering your life up for public examination. Or you don’t give a hoot what anyone thinks about your anarchist leanings, your crab infestation, or your boyfriend’s 3rd stint in rehab. You are who you are, your life is what it is, and so what? I can respect that.
But my friend’s cautions were a good reminder for me, because I have to admit, I do care. Or rather, I’m a bit of a control freak — I’m just not willing to serve slices of my private life to virtual strangers to do what they will with them. What about you? Add your comments below. [db]
