Privacy and My Private Parts
July 3, 2012 36 Comments
I recently read a post by Kdaddy23 titled “Whoa … Creepy is Okay Now?” inspired by an article on MSNBC titled “How Facebook Makes Creepy Behavior Normal.” The MSNBC article talks about the issue of social surveillance, the behavior of Facebook users to stalk and be stalked and how this has become the norm. The article likens social surveillance to that of a panopticon prison in which the guards are positioned on top of a tower with a 360 degree view of the prisoners. I was first introduced to the term “panopticon” years ago when I read Michel Foucault’s book “Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison.” The book examines the dynamics of the prison system and how this transcends into the power dynamics of institutions wherein the watcher has the power over the watched. (Now this is a general synopsis because I don’t want to get too “heavy” here.)
Technology has become “Big Brother.” Just think of CCTV as an example of surveillance on a massive level. Municipalities have cams on intersections that take pictures of traffic violators. Have you ever gotten a ticket via mail and seen a pic of yourself with a “duh” look after you ran through that red light? We’ve seen news stories about hidden cams in some public toilets. The last thing I want is for some stranger to see my girly part doing its thing. Although that scenario is extreme it “can happen.” We’re being watched when we go shopping, when we’re walking the streets and we can be photographed or videotaped by anyone with a phone. Ever seen an embarrassing pic of yourself uploaded on Facebook by a “friend”? Yahoo and Google are tracking our searches and websites we visit. We’re being watched in the real and virtual world. Think twice before you pick your nose , scratch your butt or walk out of the house looking like you just tumbled out of bed. And if don’t care, then more power to YOU!!!!!
I’m a private crazy chick:
- I don’t share my pic unless it’s been doctored up to look like a cartoon
- I don’t share private info on social networking sites unless I’m “anonymous”
- Only close friends know my “dirty business” and that’s probably because they were there to witness it
What I like about Facebook:
- People who post funny and inspiring pics and vids
What annoys me about Facebook:
- People who post pics of nasty looking food–I mean who would want to eat something that looks like afterbirth?
- People who post pics of their feet … I mean who cares?
- Constant complainers–I mean … get a new perspective will you?
- People who brag about how great they are–if they have to say it then it “they ain’t it”
- People who publicize their check ins–I mean who cares if you’re going to Applebee’s? Just don’t check in to that massage parlor you go to for your happy ending or tragedy just might befall you when you get back home.
One of my friends can actually spend hours on Facebook looking at pics and status updates and she never misses the opportunity to tell me about the latest “fights” or the latest embarrassing pics. And what do I do? I log in and see the spectacle! Yup I’m a creeper too. I’m bi that way …
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© 2011 Lafemmeroar
About Lafemmeroar
■People who brag about how great they are–if they have to say it then it “they ain’t it”
So True, L.
LIke your new profile photo! <3
Thanks Kim … modesty is always the best policy
Oh, amen. Can’t stand the constant check-ins and I especially hate it when guys announce their business trips because they just let their hundreds of friends know their wife and kids are all alone.
Oh I knew I wasn’t alone in this
Thanks for visiting Morningstar …
Hi, Laf..I’ve missed you! This really makes me stop and think…I read the other two articles that you referenced too. I use Facebook mainly to keep in touch with my five brothers and sisters and extended family members that I don’t get to see that often. And your article reminded me of a private school where I once worked that used “spies” to find out what their employees were doing..or not doing…it definitely was creepy. I’m not so sure that there’s much we can do anymore to protect our privacy. Look at the sites like Spokeo that have used gathered public information on people to become a money-making business. I’m happy though, if the authorities can use these social sites to nab criminals.
It feels good to be missed
I’ve heard that some companies are not to keen on their employees using social media. I think this is mainly due to protecting the “privacy” of the company. But social media is here to stay and it’s important than even when poking fun of it, we take the implications seriously.
I do subscribe to some far right political blogs. They suggest Facebook et. al. monitored by Feds as data collection pool source. That aside I can’t believe the very personal psych and emotional problems some put out there for the whole world to see. My college dawgs from 65-74 frat put together network facebook for us. I got off it because the wives and ex girl friends swamped it with hour by hour reports their daily lives – took dog to vet, grandson lost first tooth, Emily getting divorced, hairdresser at 5. Flooded inbox and like who cares ?
lol Carl!!!!!! I wonder how Emily felt about her divorce being shared on the site … My niece once uploaded a pic of me on Facebook … and I went BALLISTIC!!!!!!!!!!! I love her dearly and it was the only time that I was TRULY MAD at her. I like to be in control of my “image” that’s once of my quirks.
LOL! As a veteran food-snapper and poster, I have to hold my hands up to grossing people out (probably) with my grainy phone cam shots
I like FB because I am super lazy otherwise about staying in touch with people I don’t live near and it’s handy for that. And I don’t care so much about privacy just because i don’t think anybody’s necessarily paying any attention to me 
What DOES bug me are people who show loads of pics of their kids and have ten million friends, you have to protect your kids from potential pervs! My friend has two gorgeous blonde little girls and I had to say something when I saw their latest bikini shoot – I was like, they are five and seven!!
I do love food porn … I love food in general. There are a few crazy chicks who do food blogs and I love their pics and recipes
I do agree that most people don’t pay attention to me either … but it does only take one 
I know a few Facebookers who have like 5k( but now FB is limiting this) friends. It’s insane!
Great post as always… I’ve missed your sense of humor!
On an unrelated note I was gonna comment your sharp reference to Foucault’s book but sadly I’ve forgotten pretty much everything about it!
I’m glad you took note of the Foucault reference. I like to keep things light here, but it’s good to sprinkle the humor with something “noodle heavy.”
Glad you are back, it’s good not to be crazy alone anymore, lol
I don’t like my stuff shared either but I do share a lot and don’t care… NOT sharing nearly killed me… blogging saved my life… true story. It’s the only reason I am still here when I could find no other. Still, I don’t agree with people sharing business of others, just their own, if they wish to. But I really don’t need to know how many times a day someone eats or the resulting bodily activities of same, either 
Loving all your quirks and the new pic 
Thanks Janice
Ah yes, I wrote a whole piece on this. I likened this spectacle to the old time freak shows, only now all we have to do is turn on the tv or sign onto to the computer to watch the freak shows. We can buy into it, feed it, or we can maintain a level of dignity. To each his own.I choose to use social media to share my family with other family and connect with old friends, period.It should be a tool to use,not a lifestyle. Just MHO.
Yes Swirling. FB can be a freak show sometimes … as with anything else online. I love a crazy freak, but in moderation
Hey Lady! Love the new cartoon you
I have missed you too… glad to see you and loved this post.. I am 2 seconds away from getting on FB blacklist.. I mean if they paid attention and did that sort if thing. I forget about it til I am on it then..yes.. 
I too can spend quite a bit of time stal..uh looking. Hope you are back more often.. 
I’ll try to be Lizzie
This is so true. I got turned off to Facebook because of all of the silly updates. I hated seeing my grandkids post stuff that I didn’t need to know. UGH … that was bad. They were supposed to keep in touch with me on FB. Too busy posting how horrible life is, I guess. They should only know how horrible it will be if they post too much. It’s a diffeent kind of socializing. I suppose it will all ome togeter in time.
HEY – so glad you’re back. It has been solong I almost forgot to read this one.
Toodles,
Izzy ~~~~~ : – )
I’m glad that you haven’t forgotten me Isadora.
Great to be back in the land of LFR’s acerbic wit and observation!
As for FB, I’m such a lazy sod with only so much energy and any subterfuge surveillance methods on my use of FB would confirm this . . . . not cool, never have been and couldn’t give a monkey’s!
Awww thank you Patti. Am I that acerbic?
Well I’m with you on this. I love the internet but I don’t think my surfing habits are anyone’s business unless I’m doing something pretty odd. There really is too much survellience these days but what can you. I just try and ignore it
I agree counting … big brother is watching us right now
http://breakitdownpete.wordpress.com/2012/07/27/horrific-abuse/ ***Please repost, facebook, Tweet, email, talk about it, comment, whatever! it just needs to be exposed!!!!
You got it!
Great work my friend
Thanks Jake
Love the new cartoon <3
Thanks Rooha … it’s definitely me
Congrats, you’ve been nominated for the lovely blog award.
http://dark2light.wordpress.com/2012/08/23/lovely-blog-award/
aw … thanks katm even though my response is waaaay tardy. Ah, better late than never and thank you for thinking of me. You’re the best
Sorry I haven’t been around much lately, but my book, The Bellman Chronicles, will be FREE to download on Sept. 10 – 11! Check it out on my Amazon Kindle page.. You won’t be disappointed. And if you can slip me a review, I’d be forever grateful…
I will definitely check it out!
hello, Lafemmeroar ! It’s been a while ! Cheers !
Hi Ren. It’s been a while for me as well. I’ll have to pop by your site and see what you’ve been up to