All You Ever Posted on the Net is Public

You have to love this article. It is about how a new company has been given permission to data mine all the social sites and blogs, identify your true identity and provide that information to employers. Well kids, of course. Now, if my employer employer wanted to read my blog it wouldn't be a big deal as there are people I have worked with that know of this site.

There are people who post on social sites that say some really outlandish things, bigoted and hurtful. It could cost them their jobs and possible future employment. I allow anonymous comments on my blog; but, I also moderate what is posted. The judge in the case that I am sitting on told all of the jurors that they were not to post about the case and I haven't, as you can tell. He warned us not to twitter, my space, facebook or post about the case anywhere. It appears that it had been a problem in the past.

I have posted some personal information on this blog, such as the fact that I have herpes. Heck, if we met in person I would tell you the same. Big deal. I am not sure that everyone feels the same. Where this line of privacy be drawn for the internet? Should posts by minors follow them for the rest of their lives? People do change and learn. We go through trauma on occasion and even as adults may say things that we later regret.

Maybe (and this may be where this is all headed) there should be a start date for holding people accountable for what they posted on the web. Perhaps people should be given a Mulligan (a free ride, a second chance). Still, in the future you will know that everything you post can be traced back to your real life persona.

My ex-wife used to e-mail and text the "other man", I don't want to read it or see it on the net. I doubt she wants to see it on the net either. If nothing is private on the internet then eventually you will cease seeing it used for social media as much. I shall be off the net soon enough; but, this blog will remain for a time, it just won't be updated.