Virtual Affirmations

There have recently been numerous printed articles and news stories that discuss the pros and cons of the proliferation of personalized WEB pages, such as Facebook and MySpace. The gigantic downside of sites such as these is the indiscriminate publication of "personal information" replete with photographs and video clips that reveal in-depth information about the individual owner of the site that at best should remain private. Many such "pages" proudly revel in risque behaviors that once published on the WEB are "out there forever." The consequences of such revelations are that anyone with access to a computer can view these pages and make less than flattering judgements that could jeopardize the individual's opportunity for future employment or be justification for a present employer to terminate a current employee post haste. An even more sinister consequence is the realization that there are untold numbers of sexual predators who ply these sites, lurking in the shadows of obscurity to formulate plans to realize their sexual fantasies either in privacy or, God forbid, via real life encounters.

A number of observers of this phenomena are now suggesting that the utilization of these sites, now populated by individuals principally under the age of 30 and primarily by teenagers, will diminish and fade away: calling it a "fad." What the young owners of these sites are seeking is a measure of fame, acceptance, inclusion, and popularity among their real and virtual peers. It is anticipated that with growing maturity the juvenile pursuit of these quests will evolve into more conventional and conservative methods to maintain contact with only those select persons that add meaning and of value to their lives.

Which brings this discussion to another Internet phenomena; the "Blog," an instrument of self-expression and communication that has, at last calculation, over 600,000 participants and growing exponentially every month. The content of these on-line exposes are as varied as the seashells in the world's oceans, but all share a common goal of wishing to be embraced by the largest possible audience. "If a tree falls in the forest, does it make a sound?" Thus, I would suggest, a similar mantra should be in vogue for every blogger: "Why produce a personal blog if no one reads it?"

My Dad had a favorite saying, "Some people talk just to hear their heads roar!" As much as I would like to convince myself that my personal observations and opinions are as illuminating and erudite as those of Gandhi, Estine and Ralph Waldo Emerson (to name but a few), I still seek collaboration and general agreement that what I have to say is appreciated, enjoyed and doesn't just literally "suck out loud!" I don't think that's too much to ask.

So, for those fellow blogers who have stopped by my fledgling attempts at entertaining discourse and have expressed appreciation for my efforts, "Thank you." For the thousand who have yet to do so... You don't know what your missing...if I do say so myself.