[Publib] Facebook Folly

[Robert Balliot]

Naomi Wolf's book  'The End of America'  articulates ten steps that close an
open society<http://www.endofamericamovie.com/10-steps-that-close-an-open-society>
.

Number 4. surveil ordinary citizens "People who believe they are being
watched are less likely to voice opposition.  To scare a population
into silence, the government need only monitor the activities of a few to
make everyone fear that they
are being surveilled.  Every closed society keeps a “list” of so-called
opponents it tracks."* *

The willingness to share information by 'youngsters' may be an indication
that the fear factor
we are asked to internalize by ALA Councilor James Casey will not scare the
population into silence.
It may be an indication of hope for a more democratic and open society in
the future.

I am not suggesting the ALA Councilor's message is not valuable within the
context of securing
a bureaucratic position. Jim Casey has certainly held on to his position for
quite some time.
However, muzzling free speech is not one of the internalized qualities
that one would hope for in a profession that promotes the collection and
distribution of
diverse opinions and ideas.

R. Balliot
http://oceanstatelibrarian.com




On Thu, Aug 27, 2009 at 9:25 AM, James Casey <jcasey at olpl.org> wrote:

>  Somewhere along the line the quest for privacy and fear of being snooped
> upon by corporate or governmental “big brothers” was jettisoned in favor of
> full disclosure (sometimes ad nauseam) of every waking thought, emotion and
> activity on Facebook.   The practical advice I try to give my grand nieces
> and young colleagues about the potential danger of “telling it all on the
> wall” – about boy friends, daily frustrations, crappy professors/employers,
> etc. – and the extensive use of profanity, are sometimes taken with a grain
> of salt.
>
> Such broadcasts to hundreds of “friends” will end up where and used in what
> way down the road when one of the youngsters applies for a responsible
> professional position 5 years from now or runs for Congress in 2024?
>
>
>
> I suggest that they exercise some discretion and consider (especially as
> they reach adulthood) that the “web presence” of anyone may well be “fair
> game” for those who wish to look into the background of candidates for this
> or that position.  As it is right now, I invariably do a Google search on
> candidates for professional positions to assess their use of the web.  A
> Facebook wall message could be seen by hundreds of “friends” – some of whom
> might be potential supervisors, faculty colleagues, board members, political
> opponents, down the road.
>
>
>
> A little fear or anxiety about incessant broadcast messages might not be
> misplaced.
>
>
>
> Does anyone know of any program presenters who could give instruction and
> advice on the effective uses of Facebook?
>
>
>
> James B. Casey
>
> Director
>
> Oak Lawn Public Library
>
> ALA Council Member
>
>
>
>
>
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>
>
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