Comment 30947

By Meredith (registered) - website | Posted May 08, 2009 at 12:54:07

I like Postman quite a bit, and that talk's no exception. I remember his points on the changing nature of political discourse from Amusing Ourselves to Death, and it's interesting to apply them now, years later, when we're at the point where we have YouTube questions on debates.

I'm reminded of an acquaintance of mine that wrote something quite neutral once - a single sentence - about theta brain waves (the ones where you're drowsy/half-asleep/daydreaming, and are conducive to good ideas) - and had it terribly misconstrued by various folks who drew out all the worst possible connotations. He still laughed about it, but it's amazing how no matter what you post, anything can be taken the wrong way.

Personally, I find myself not as worried about past foolish choices coming back to haunt me... as I do about the lack of ability to appropriate one's information for different groups and different contexts. The fact that anyone from my mother to my employer to my worst enemy to a Jr. High student can read my blog, forum posts, online profiles, etc. is a bit disconcerting simply because in normal conversation, one wouldn't be tactless enough to do that "information dump" without considering the pre-existing relationship and how much disclosure is warranted.

On the other hand, I think it forces a level of integrity and consistency, and that's somewhat a good thing.

"This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose... being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy." - G.B. Shaw

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