Are You Big Brother?

I began contemplating this a year or so ago.  Over the last 10 years as the Internet began to blossom into such an integral part of our lives, I began to wonder when enough was too much when it came to sharing information on line. I really started to look at it when I was working with one of my clients. An associate had asked a customer for their email address, this was so that they may be reminded of service, and to receive valuable discount offers from the company. The customer replied, “I never give out my email address! That’s too personal!”  The moment after she said that, her daughter who was with her said, “But you share everything else of yours on Facebook!” I smiled, and then realized that we have become a society more comfortable sharing intimate details with the on-line community, then we are with real people at times.

So let’s look at that world. Social Media is exploding and I, for one, have come along for the ride. My wife started using the application “Twitter” last year and I became intrigued. I had started my consulting firm and thought this might be a great tool for sharing ideas and thoughts with others, and prospective clients. So I signed up and joined in on the fun. While I was quickly amassing “followers” as they are called on Twitter, I began to see what was being shared. Intimate thoughts and feelings from millions all over the world. I began to think of the ramifications of all of this because it was in essence, people opening themselves up to this along with myself for all the world to see. Now if you know me, or follow me on Twitter, I tend to be somewhat light hearted in my posts. Sometimes I will offer the occasional rant, but I have to tell you that Twitter has been priceless as it has put me in touch with people whom I would have never had the opportunity to meet and learn from. For that, I am ever grateful. However there are people on Twitter whom I have seen literally pour out things that I know would never be discussed around the water cooler at work, the cocktail party, or the bedroom for that matter. Here I was being given a front row seat into the lives of these many people whom I don’t even know. Fun at times, Yes. But scary at times as well.

Aside from Twitter, we have in my humble opinion the Grand Voyeur Daddy of them all. From the “Just Because You Can, Doesn’t Mean You Should” department comes You Tube. Now don’t get me wrong, I love You Tube. It has given me access to hundreds of old clips from long forgotten TV shows and commericals that I grew up with. For that, I think it’s great. However, seeing videos posted on-line of everything from some lady giving birth for all the world and her neighborhood to see, and personal hygeine habits of people, to teens videotaping their siblings making out. Some are interesting, others down-right creepy.

Finally, there is a new site called “Qik”. This site allows users to stream live video from their cellphones and personal devices live for all the world to view. While this application is incredible to share ideas and information with others, it opens another door that which we may peek through into the lives of people we don’t even know. Plus, think about this. When John F. Kennedy was assinated back in 1963, it was captured by only a handful of cameras. If that were to happen today, you would have virtually over 1,000 points of views from over 5,000 individuals if not more. This because so many people can now capture every moment from their lives every day with cameras, Nintendo DSi’s, Cell Phones and so much more.

So it really, truly, makes me wonder.  In our quest to share so much intimate information with so many. From random thoughts, to camera footage of people relieving themselves. It really ponders the question…

Is Big Brother Already Here, And Are We Him?

Keep Moving Forward!