President's Perspective: Think before you pose

In today's world, as we move more and more towards computers and other technological advances, people are losing the person-to-person contact that we used to only use. Our world is becoming faster and more convenient, which is great, but at the same time we are learning about our new obsession, which is the ability to be and feel anonymous.

Take MSN. When you are sitting behind a computer screen, with the picture of the palm trees, you basically have no idea who you are really talking to. Who reading this has ever had a prank played on them where the person talking to them wasn't really who they thought they were? When you are online this way, you feel invincible, as if no matter what you say/do, you will never get caught, you will never be judged. Our world is filled with anonymous “suggestion boxes” and “confidential” offices and phone lines, so that you can feel free to come out of your shell and say what you think without being judged. I don't understand how people think that these are less safe than online. If anything, online is even worse!

What you write, post, say or do online is permanent. I think a lot of people get lost in the fact that you don't think about whom else might have access to read something. How many articles have we read about Facebook this year? And yet, I bet we all know (or may have done it this year) written something where you cannot believe a person would attach their name and picture to it. And I am not even going to start on potential employers. What about potential SUITORS? There are lots of guys and girls out there that might think you are pretty great, until they see your secret life of posting ignorant messages on other people's Facebook walls. Or until they see the pictures you have saved of yourself with your hands on your boobs, drunk at a bar.

I guess for me the whole anonymity thing is different because I am not really sure where I stand. For me, I always stand behind my statements. I have no fear backing up things I say, because I don't just blurt things out. (Often, and even then, there is always some truth to it.) But I understand people who are shy, maybe do not want to create confrontation and want to remain anonymous using services that have been provided, such as a confidential phone line. But the big issue with me is with things such as Facebook where I doubt half the people that post things on there, if caught by say, their parents or a boyfriend/girlfriend would stand up and say “Yup, I am proud of that.” It's almost like if someone found what they posted without their “permission” (even though you don't OWN the internet.), it will persist into a big fight and humiliation on both parts. So if you wish to remain anonymous behind your statements, make sure they are constructive criticism, or valid question comments. Not stupid statements that you make because you are afraid to say it to someone's face.

There is an old saying that is “Think before you speak.” In our day and age, it needs an update. To “Think before you speak, post, or pose.”