Googling People

Thursday, November10, 2011. That is the date I published a blog discussing the difference between searching and stalking. Another article has come out since and is perfect for my final blog. “The dos and don’ts of Googling people” is an article that elaborates more on the issue and explains the correct etiquette to follow when Googling. There is a definite difference between Googling your work contacts, your date and yourself. 

Looking up work contacts on Google is completely acceptable according to the article. One should want to know who they are working with and what they are all about. If they can find information about them online, it may be beneficial to their relationship at work. However, people do have to be weary of what they bring up at work. Be careful about bringing up subjects that may be touchy. If it is a borderline topic, do not bring it up unless they bring it up. 

Looking up your date is acceptable to a point. It is okay to look up someone to confirm their identity or to get some points of interest to talk about. Once that information is found, one should exit the browser. Any more digging and that may classify one as a creeper. Let that person convey themselves through the date after the initial information is found. 

Looking up your information on Google is very beneficial. The technological age we live in gives us access to essentially any persons information. One has to be careful of what they put out online. Googling yourself can show you just what kind of dirt the internet has on you. Someday your future employers may search Google and see something that you don’t want them to see. This gives you some time to clean up what Google brings up about you. The article shares that you should set up a Google Alert for your name to make sure you aren’t being confused with anybody else. Click on the Google Alert link to learn more. 

It seems silly to be talking about the acceptable etiquette when Googling people, but it apparently has become a problem. Using the correct etiquette may save you in the future. However, don’t overuse Google and become a stalker. It might also be a good idea to Google yourself. Clean up your image on Google before your future relationships and employers get the wrong impression.

Unwanted Friends

Something everyone has gone through with social media; unwanted friend requests. Anyone and everyone involved with social media have experienced this. Believe it or not, unwanted friend requests can cause stress. Whether it is your boss, relative or parent, deciding not to add them can be a difficult process. “How to handle unwanted friend requests” is an article that explains how one can avoid this situation and/or get through it smoothly. 

The first option is to simply ignore the friend request. Facebook has the option of hitting the “not now” button which leaves the friend request lost in space. This is a very useful tactic and demands little or no stress. The person requesting the friendship may not ever know. Perfect! 

The second option is to accept the friend request and then alter your privacy settings. However, changing your Facebook privacy settings may require some time. It is not a simple solution, but is a definite option.

The third option is to reject and speak up. Reject the friend request and share the reasoning with the person the next time you see them. Anything from “I don’t add co-workers” to “Here is my number instead” will work. 

The fourth option is to clean up. Clean up the site that you may not want certain people to see. This may be a good wakeup call for you. The professional world may require you to have a clean profile anyways. 

Social media is blowing up the digital world and beginning to cause stress? A simple stress like accepting or rejecting a friend doesn’t seem like much, but what if the problem continues to grow. What if this is just the beginning? It seems silly to think about, but people are actually having troubles with the issue. 

Adding or rejecting a friend on Facebook should be the last of our worries. Don’t let social media consume you to the point that it runs your life. It is a useful tool, but make sure to separate yourself from it. There are worse things to stress about. Stressing about unwanted friend requests should be the last of our worries!

It's a Small World After All

"Ultimate proof that our world is getting smaller and smaller," one Facebook user wrote in a comment on the company's post.

This was a comment within Facebook’s data blog of how the social network connects us with people throughout the globe. We share a common connection with people that we may not personally know. Most of us college students admit that we do not know our entire group of friends. However, in a way, we are all essentially connected. The article shares that the average user is only 4.74 degrees away from any other Facebooker. What does this mean? It means that the average user is roughly 5 people away from any other Facebook user. 

"Thus, when considering even the most distant Facebook user in the Siberian tundra or the Peruvian rainforest, a friend of your friend probably knows a friend of their friend," Facebook wrote in a blog post about its findings.

The study is not saying that we actually know nor even have any similar interest with the furthest person down the line. It is suggesting that the connections within the world are getting closer and closer. “What a small world” is a famous cliché that is actually becoming reality. Is this positive for society or negative?

Negative

This week we have discussed the dark side of social networks in our online Digital Communication classroom. The direct relationship between Facebook and divorce is an example. Is it possible that we may be fueling the dark side by these unintentional connections? If everyone in the globe is unintentionally getting closer, will we see an increase in Cyberbullying and an increase in divorce relating to Facebook?  It is definitely something to think about.

Positive

Connections are valuable to anyone entering the workforce. Often opportunities come from knowing a friend of a friend. In this respect we are increasing our chances to succeed in a business environment. However, not only does it open doors for us in the workforce, it reveals many opportunities for intercultural connectedness. The connections allow us to experience intercultural communication on a wide spectrum. This allows one the chance to become globally sound and interconnected with the world thus making them a well-rounded individual.  

Thoughts anyone? 

Concert etiquette with an emphasis on technology and social media

The social media phenomenon is taking over our lives. It seems that our society can no longer function without updating their Twitter or Facebook accounts. Is this bad? Technology can be useful, but is it becoming too much? “Technology and Concerts: What not to do” is an article that explains proper concert etiquette with an emphasis on technology. Is technology consuming our lives to the point where articles need to be published explaining the proper technological etiquette? Something seems wrong about that. 

Photos

The article explains that one should not be taking photos, talking on the phone or multitasking. Leave the photographing and videoing to those paid to shoot the events. It is annoying to see phones constantly in the air and blocking others views. Some people think it is ok to shoot the entire set or concert, but it isn’t. Be respectful of others at the concert by keeping your camera phone in your pocket. 

Conversations

Don’t talk on the phone at the concert. Enjoy the concert and don’t miss out on the action because of an incoming or outgoing phone call. Constantly shouting into a cellular device can take away from others enjoyment of the music. 

Multitasking

Multitasking is the worst of the three. Constantly checking the Twitter feed, email or playing games is an absolute no. It can distract others from the music being played and can ruin their experience. Others are there to hear the music and bond with people who have similar musical interests. One should stay at home if they plan to be engrossed in their smartphones at any portion of the concert. Concerts are also a time to pay tribute to the bands that create our everyday music. Respect the other concert goers and respect the band. 

Everyone has their own opinion on what is proper event etiquette and what isn’t. However, the point is that technology may be getting out of hand. One can utilize technology, but don’t become consumed by it. It can be beneficial to separate oneself from the social media and technological worlds. Take a break from all the Twitter and Facebook updates. Embrace the moment!

?Social Media Stalking?

"Online, there's a fine line between searching and stalking". Reading and re-reading that title makes me wonder about our use of social media. The amount of information one can find about another is scary. Brenna Ehrlich and Andrea Bartz, producers of the blog and book “Stuff Hipsters Hate”, are very helpful in the world of digital communication. They have talked about how to deal with online stalkers and even answered user submitted questions about using the internet to find someone. Does using the internet to find someone make one a stalker? Ehrlich and Bartz answer the question! 

Ehrlich and Bartz explain that it all depends on the context of how one uses the information. They explain that if one has common occurrences with the person then it is okay to pursue them. However, one has to be careful of how they track someone online. One example included Facebook. Searching for someone online and finding their Facebook is a common incident. They shared that it is okay to send the person a quick inbox message and friend request. From there, one has to wait for a response or acceptance of the request.

They share that the information found online is usually put out there by people who don’t mind being found. Men will probably be flattered by the experience and thrive off it. Everyone on Facebook has the ability to make their profile private. If they didn’t want to be found, their information would be locked up. Ehrlich and Bartz share that the same procedure should be used upon finding an email address. However, if one doesn’t find the email address easily, they should give up. One may be considered a stalker if they find an email address hidden within the pages of Google. 

The article is very interesting. It shows that we need to be careful of what we put online and how we use the internet to interact with people. Using the internet to find somebody is totally acceptable, but obsessive searching may move someone into the stalker category. Mainly, this is just a friendly reminder to be careful of the information one puts out there. Too much may be detrimental, but too little may affect one as well. Tune into Ehrlich and Bartz! They are two funny ladies!