Why a Public Blog is Good

So I’ve been having some interesting conversations with people about public vs private conversations and blogging. I haven’t publicized this blog much at all but when I mention it, many people’s reactions are fairly negative.

“Why in God’s name would you put your personal business out there?”

“Don’t you know that people will find it and read it?”

Well, yes, that’s kinda the point. I think that there’s a definite generational shift between those who try and keep their lives off the internet and those who seem to post every insignificant thing that happens to them on twitter or facebook. My intention is for this blog to exist in that gray space between paranoia and oversharing.

I set it up in anticipation of an extended period of traveling, to make it easier to keep up with friends and family. But I also hope to use it to meet other adventurous types and as documentation of my 365 Conversations project.

For better or worst, the internet is here and anything that gets posted online is there forever. Just ask Kevin Colvin. The generational shift happens between those who work feverishly to keep any real-world mention of themselves off the online radar. They exist under assumed handles, conceal their facebook and flickr profiles, and google themselves relentlessly to make sure no unauthorized information is released.

This is akin to the old celebrity method - making sure information was tightly guarded and interviews granted only to favorite group of journalists. Anyone who’s cruised Perez Hilton or TMZ lately can tell you that those days are long gone. A similar shift is taking place among the teeming masses as well. The ubiquity of cell cams and social media means that it is becoming increasingly difficult to police our own reputations online.

Add to this the power of a simple Google search and every photo tag, blog mention, or documented drinking episode is just a few clicks away.

As more interaction moves online, it’ll become increasingly important to dominate your reputation with positive information. A blog is an easy first step.  Quick - google my name. Top 3 results? My blog. The rest are entries from random things I’ve done. All positive and above board, but it wouldn’t be too hard to piss someone off and have them post something negative that would appear in the top results. As this blog grows bigger, it’ll dominate the first page.

So that’s my super-secret plan. Keep this blog as the destination for anyone that ever wants to know anything about me (like future employers or sponsors). I control the information and it’ll hopefully keep anything negative (like a bad breakup or stupid escapade) from being easily found.