Privacy and FACEBOOK

Yesterday I had a great conversation with some folks about privacy and FACEBOOK. With all of the advantages of social media and connections, privacy has been more and more an issue in the media. My generation has a completely different view of what privacy means. We come from an era when Big Brother and 1984 was the boogeyman of the future.

The younger generation doesn't care about any of this. For them privacy is not an issue. They're not worried about who knows what about them - hence the constant twittering and tweeting about every day events. The upside is constant contact with friends and the general public, the downside, everyone knows everything.

As a mature artist, I see the merits in constant contact, I like the immediate factor of this type of media. But I'm not so sure that everyone needs to know everything. So there's a fine line between enough and too much.

Like I've said before, social media sites are important. Even as a luddite with computers, it is the most conveniant way to connect with people who may take an interest in your music.

I love the ability to write about my thoughts in an online journal and have folks I don't know dialogue with me. It's immediate conversation when you can't be with them.

It's easy to establish boundaries for your online community and it's worth the effort for the ease of communication. Perhaps like anything public, setting the precedent for your contact is essential. No personal information, no daily updates of bathroom habits, clear directions to gigs and events, invitations to comment, filters to prevent spam. It all seems so 'Big Brother', but it is a magnificant way to connect.