Wednesday, November 12, 2003
Concealment vs. censorship
The Onion has a story today that's bound to get linked all over blogdom, so I'll go ahead and be one of the first...
Of course it's funny because we can identify with the guy in the story.
How many of you out there hide the fact that you've got a blog from your parents, your kids, your employer, or anyone else? What about the other way around? How many of you self-sensor your blogs because you know those same people are (or might be) reading them?
It's sort of a catch-22. If you feel that you must hold back in what you write, it defeats the purpose of this medium — or, at least, it diminishes your work. On the other hand, it seems odd to keep a personal journal, which would only be of interest to those close to us, and then share it only with strangers instead.
Is there a third option that works?
Mom Finds Out About Blog
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — In a turn of events the 30-year-old characterized as "horrifying," Kevin Widmar announced Tuesday that his mother Lillian has discovered his weblog.
"Apparently, Mom typed [Widmar's employer] Dean Healthcare into Google along with my name and, lo and behold, PlanetKevin popped up," Widmar said. "I'm so fucked."
In an e-mail sent to Widmar Monday, Lillian reported in large purple letters that she was "VERY EXCITED :)!!!" to find his "computer diary," but was perplexed that he hadn't mentioned it to her.
Upon receipt of the e-mail, Widmar mentally raced through the contents of his blog. He immediately thought of several dozen posts in which he mentioned drinking, drug use, casual sex, and other behavior likely to alarm his mother...
Of course it's funny because we can identify with the guy in the story.
How many of you out there hide the fact that you've got a blog from your parents, your kids, your employer, or anyone else? What about the other way around? How many of you self-sensor your blogs because you know those same people are (or might be) reading them?
It's sort of a catch-22. If you feel that you must hold back in what you write, it defeats the purpose of this medium — or, at least, it diminishes your work. On the other hand, it seems odd to keep a personal journal, which would only be of interest to those close to us, and then share it only with strangers instead.
Is there a third option that works?
