your blog is not your diary

Accepting the fact that we are building an extension of our society on the World Wide Web, I think it's important to remember that the same social rules should apply. When I meet you on the street, I don't give you a fake name when I shake your hand. If I'm spoken to (and I actually hear what is said) I try to respond. I keep rude thoughts to myself. There aren't any ready-to-share racy photos of me handy in my purse. And? I damn well don't publicize my personal problems for all to read. Here is what I'm getting at: It is HIGHLY inappropriate to blog, tweet, update your FaceBook status or Whatever with statements or woe-is-mes about troubles you are having with your loved ones. When I have a disagreement with Jed, I don't walk out my front door and shout "My husband made me CRY!" for all to hear. Tacky. Not to mention damaging to the relationship. So, dear internet friends, I apologize that you will not get to read any juicy family gossip on this here blog. That's because my parents taught me to respect my loved ones' privacy and to RESPECT MYSELF by keeping Certain matters private. Meaning, between me and that Certain person. I do so in "real life" and thus I do so on the internet. A suggestion: Next time you type something in the box that gives you pause, before clicking "Publish" consider the good old-fashioned paper version. Diaries can be burned. Blogs are archived. If you say it on the internet, you CANNOT TAKE IT BACK. Humiliation and betrayal are very real, whether done over digital or analog channels.