Privacy.

We all want some form of it. Whether it is the privacy to let out our feelings without being judged, or the privacy to perform certain bodily functions, or other trivial matters. We all have secrets. We all feel entitled to keep some portion of our lives to ourselves; and when that need for secrecy is invaded, we call on hell and fury claiming that some sort of right has been disregarded.

 

The funny thing about privacy is that it is a man-made concept. An invention, of sorts. We created it, molded it, and somehow convinced each other that we are all entitled to it; and that if anyone were to invade it that it be deemed a crime that is worthy of punishment. Question is, for what is this privacy needed? Safety measures, of course..you wouldn’t want any Tom, Dick or Harry knowing your exact address and your credit card numbers. That would be highly troublesome if they did, now wouldn’t it? We guard our “secrets” with imaginary guns and spears..but what exact secrets are we guarding?

 

What with social media and the internet rising in ten-folds by the day, there is an amazing amount of intel you could gather on any given random person if you wished; and I’m not talking some sort of super-sleuth skills of any kinds. I’m merely stating a capacity to “Google” things. Simple enough: all you need is some sort of web-enabled device and an internet connection, a decent level of intelligence, and the ability to go operate the open search engine. Voila! Instant get-to-know-you at your finger tips.

 

In fact, some of the devices we have deceivingly “safe”ly tucked away in our pockets give away an enormous amount of information about us. Apparently some apps will let you know if another user of the said app is nearby; and that you had the option of saying “Hello” without having to go through the possible physical torture of physically going up to the person and saying “Hello”.

 

Our photos, no matter how little we think we give away in them, tell an awful lot about us. You could tell where the person is, for instance, then follow up a search of people who have frequented the same place. Next thing you know, you have in your possession a list of potential strangers who have gone to a said restaurant within a specified period of time. Freaky isn’t it?

 

Now, who do we blame should our “secrets” be uncovered? Should we blame anyone at all? If, say, a married man was having an affair and his wife were to find out because of some tagged photos that somehow found their way into her newsfeed, should HE deserve any right to be angry about it? Well, assuming that it really did just “end” up on the wife’s newsfeed; but what if she had deliberately gone on some sort of internet-crusade to find evidence of any affair, and succeeded in finding the said evidence..does she deserve blame for invading his “privacy”?

 

One thing for sure, the world is a shocking place. If you set your mind onto something, you’ll be amazed at what you can find without even leaving the warmth of your bed. Without even having any sort of extraordinary IT-lligence. Without having super computers. Without having high speed internet. Now just imagine what those people who do have the abovementioned privileges are capable of finding out about us.

 

All of it makes me feel betrayed, exposed, idiotic, and foolish somehow. And perhaps just a little bit plain stupid.