The Art of Staying Private on the Public Domain

From the standpoint of pure psychology ‘I’, ‘myself, ‘my’ and ‘mine’ are those magic words which one can solely say about himself or herself.   The power of the word ‘mine’, highlighting the possessive nature of the relationship, nowadays can only be felt when tangible things are the objects and that’s lamentable. That digital life you live knows no I, me, myself, neither mine and I urge you not to be too naive to believe that your attitude is unfair since it is Holy Social Media you benefit from. No, this is holy social media which you benefit from and which benefits from you, but in currently existing cases and with current examples, with invisible horns.

This is not one of those “did you know this” or “every user needs to know that” article, since the problem lies within that we know, we do already know but still hate or frown to read or even peep what is going in the e-paper of privacy settings before we press “I agree” button. One needs to emphasize that we do not decide to press that button, but prefer to press it immediately as popped out in the separate window and apparently seen on our screens.  This kind of Ignoring Ignore Button Policy will definitely lead us to dire consequences giving rise to the disappearance of our digital identity, or even worse, resulting in utter display of our personal, so called sensitive information.

The Internet is a public domain and many of us are moving in the cyber space just like bewildered tourist wonders distractedly in the ‘terra incognita’.  What does the latter one need to move not only in the right direction (because as a newcomer he/she does not know yet where to go and for sure, needs to avoid troubles on their way) but to move in any direction at all? At least so much-needed map. Unfortunately, we were not lucky enough to owe such kind of indicative document to help us from the very beginning and as a standard practice we commenced to study on our mistakes and each other’s experiences. Well, that sounds clear-sighted and long-headed route to follow but in the long run it has facilitated to develop and implement so called ‘Ignorance culture’ within ‘global village’ inhabitants when interacting with computers, using the Internet, affiliating social networks.

Social media is genuinely global, covering blogs and micro-blogs, social networking sites, collaborative projects, content communities, virtual game worlds, and virtual social worlds, each of them including Location-based social networks ( Foursquare, Geoloqi, Gowalla, Facebook places, The Hotlist), Events ( Eventful, The Hotlist, Meetup.com, Upcoming), Online Advocacy and Fundraising (Causes, Kickstarte), Blogging (Blogger, Expression Engine, Live Journal, Open Diary, Type Pad, Vox, Word Press), Microblogging( FMyLife, Foursquare, Jaiku, Plurk, Posterous, Tumblr, Twitter, Qaiku, Google Buzz, Identi.ca Nasza-Klasa), Information Aggregators ( Netvibes, Twine), Social networking( ASmallWorld, Bebo, Cyworld, Diaspora, Facebook, Hi5, Hyves, LinkedIn, MySpace, Ning, Orkut, Plaxo, Tagged, XING , IRC, Yammer)and all these services can be integrated via social network aggregation platforms.

Overall, all roads lead to Social Networking. Quite very often people are misled when thinking that when it comes to social networking the only way out in order to maintain your privacy is - Not To Be Social. Privacy is envisioned as the right; to me, personally, privacy is the right, which has become a privilege. If the Social media gives you genuine privacy (guaranteeing static terms and conditions, not as frequently changing rules as the weekly newspaper, charter of principles, precise regulations, terms of service, secure databases and prevent you from third party applications and plug-ins) then consider yourself to be lavishly granted by the overgenerous cyber-friend; because such an opportunity does exist, though can be found at a premium.

For those born after 1991, computers’ and Internet’s usage seems like luxury for ages but still as the technological evolution goes forward public awareness level declines and relevantly, the gaps of ignorance are widening.

As for aftermath proposed, it is nothing more than a fresh-eyed look of one of the curious individual born in the year of 1990 revealing sweat myths told and displaying sour reality encountered.

Myth: Anyways, your privacy is guaranteed on social networking sites.

Reality:  Anyways, your privacy is not guaranteed on the majority of the social networking sites.

The Art is to Tie your ‘Ties’ and do not Nod to all ‘Nodes’.

As a user you are already targeted but be wise! Target the desirable social networking site on your own and for yourself. Privacy is neither entitled, nor granted. Privacy (whether it is online or offline, including ownership and control over the material) is simply given and it needs to be accepted. Though digital privacy has one step to be taken beforehand, as bizarre as it sounds, it needs to be chosen. Choose the right social networking site and enjoy your stand-in position.

Myth: Internet Governance - it is for you, of course, not for us, for Internet stakeholders!

Reality: Internet governance yes, it is a governance of internet stakeholders! No Accountability of ours and No Participation of yours!

The Art is to govern in two-sided manner since there are no governors without governed.  

As a user, you are considered to be involved but you are not. Now I appeal you ‘to be involved’ in the Internet governance with the expectation to make you ‘get involved’ and with hope that you will ‘be involved.’ No genuine social networking site would disapprove your participation; on the contrary, they are designed in a way to protect you and share responsibility, to provide you with the tools to find out your “customary”  desires and needs and finally, to act in a good faith in the very best of your interest. So, in this case also, choose the right social networking site and enjoy your stand-in position.

Myth: You are our precious user and digital friend.

Reality: You are our commercial gain!

The Art is to build the digital relationships as a two-way street.

Nobody argues that lucrative business is made up of profits. However, I do not want to be somebody’s bonus, I do want to be somebody’s bonus and at the same time receive my own from the same source. Although you are voluntarily self-publishing yourself on social networking sites, you must be viewed not only as a commercial gain for the social networking site, but the genuine one should give you the chance to monetize your digital assets, receive your profit.  That’s the clause which contents me as a user, gives me the feeling that I am considered to be a partner, relevantly a member of the ‘family’.  More to the point, social networking site needs to guarantee that you are the digital ‘identity’, not just a hypothetic digital friend. Asking for solution? Choose the right social networking site and enjoy your stand-in position!

P.s.  Dear readers, I modestly dare to point out that here is no ‘like’ button, no ‘share’ option, and with the greatest respect I would like to remind you of your recently lost unique ability to like and share the material provided without acquiring that delightful feeling of pressing a button.

©2011ninojajanidze all rights reserved