I think we can safely say that I am quite comfortable with the interweb. For me it really is a utility without which I complain.
So, I don’t think it comes as a terrible surprise that I am often taken aback by people’s concerns about using something like flickr. “I don’t want pictures of my family where the whole world can see them!” One of my friends goes as far as saying that she would never put a picture of any one of her friends on public flickr without their permission. Now I am worried. Does my lack of concern make me an inconsiderate friend?
I do have a tendency to think that my photos are pretty dull and frankly, if someone wants to pick through them they are very welcome. More important to me is the enjoyment I get from being able to see what my friends are up to, stay in touch with their lives despite how busy we all get.
And then there is Twitter. I love it. When I was first invited my first response was – “not more noise!” – but I love Leisa’s Ambient Intimimacy. It is nice to hear what the people I know are up to through such an undemanding medium.
However. The day I realised that my twittering is public I was a little shocked (that’ll teach me to not pay attention when I sign up to these things) anyone can read my little broadcasts! How different is that to speaking a little too loudly in the pub and realising that the people at the next table have started to laugh (or indeed seeth) at whatever you are going on about? When I was much younger my late father and I would make an effort to be loud and silly in shops and see how many people we can make laugh. Ok, so both of my offline examples leave the audience no vote which is not the same for either flickr or twitter but I think the effect might be similar. My father and I did manage to make people laugh and I have ended up with great evenings of chatting with an extended table of people so what is it that makes it so shocking when it is online?
My theory? Permanence. I have mentioned this little theory before but I think that is the change that we are all afraid of. I can get a little tipsy and annoy or amuse the people at the next table they might remember me if they see me again but there is unlikely to be a permanent record for the WHOLE WORLD to see! This particular transition from offline to online is definately something we are less well at ease with.
The reason my twitter is still public? It seems, that despite the fact that the whole world can hear your noise, mostly it is the people you know who actually listen. The strangers don’t even have to leave the pub!
