cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

“It seems difficult to imagine, but there was once a time when human beings did not feel the need to share their every waking moment with hundreds of millions, even billions, of complete and utter strangers. If one went to a shopping mall to purchase an article of clothing, one did not post minute-by-minute details on a social networking site; and if one made a fool of oneself at a party, one did not leave a photographic record of the sorry episode in digital scrapbook that would survive for all eternity. But now, in the era of lost inhibition, it seemed no detail of life was too mundane or humiliating to share. In the online age, it was more important to live out loud than to live with dignity. Internet followers were more treasured than flesh-and-blood friends, for they held the illusive promise of celebrity, even immortality. Were Descartes alive today, he might have written: I tweet, therefore I am.” Daniel Silva in The Heist

He was talking about the ease with which we can now know practically everything there is to know about someone simply by using social networking. In this case, it was for an intelligence (spy) operation, but applies to many other things. Even on this forum, people seem to enjoy telling the world "We are going to Timbuctoo on the 15th of next month, so our home will be empty and available for looting for a week." If this kind of declaration floats your boat, continue. I for one will discuss the past on any type of social network, but never my own near future intentions.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I plan to stay home tonight and tomorrow.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

The desire "to belong" is a human trait. With isolation caused by so many social pressures, from crime to covid individual interactions are deemed by many to be too risky. There was an old saying, find a need and fill it, which seems what social media seems to have done.

dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia

I never touch ANY social media things. I am a VERY private person.( But of course I am not young.(thank heaven)

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

There once was a time no social media existed, so there was no way for people to share everything with everybody.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

The mundacity of it all. New word.

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

You are absolutely right - you couldn’t have said it better. We now have Candid Camera on steroids.
Incidentally, my son will be stopping by my house occasionally to feed my Black Mamba & make sure my funnel web spiders are o.k. while I’m vacationing in Europe.

Tdearing Loc: Rockport, TX

It's a different world for sure. Can you imagine a time growing up where someone or company would knock on your door and demand to know the names of all your friends and their addresses - and you willingly giving it to them? For that matter, imagine going to dinner and taking photos of pork chops to distribute to both known and unknown neighbors in the 70's, 80's, 90's, etc. People would rightly think you had lost your mind.

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

I'm having coffee and a donut right now.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Black? Blond and sweet? Espresso? Latte?
Cake? Old fashioned? Icing or no?
Don’t tease us!

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

Black and Hot, like I prefer my women. Just joking people, don't get hurt feelings. Glazed cake.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

For everyone’s knowledge, you do not need to know where I am, what I am wearing or what I have eaten for breakfast or what I am preparing for lunch. Please don’t ask me what I shall have for dinner as that is to far in advance.

For the most part I lead a mundane lifestyle, have little desire to share with anyone and prefer to let my dog lay on the couch while I pet him as we both watch Star Trek or old movies. WAIT? I have written too much.
DAMN!!

I promised myself that I won’t join in on any social media!

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

I found social media to be a valuable tool in vetting prospective hires for our business. Far too many times I would find the person sitting before me during the interview was not quite the person they appeared to be. I believe if someone could not make good decisions for themselves, as evident on their social media posts, they most likely would not make good decisions for our company.

dave.speeking Loc: Brooklyn OH

To cahale... I detect a Gabriel Allon fan!

Chiroman8

Dear cahale,


Amen & Pax !