Filtering

The internet is fairly easy to use. Because our intelligence has caught up with technology, we have the easiest access to information than we ever had before. I remember going to the public library for books, music, and newspapers from different cities. With a touch of an application, I have it all in front of me. At any whim, when I'm the least bit bored, we can be reading in any place, at any time, and speak to people on the other side of the world.

I have set virus controls on to alert me when someone may be tampering with my information. Whether the information is personal or not, the information I claim is mine and defines who I am is being seen. It's impossible to block these people. We are the ones who decide to click or not to click on the man from Nigeria with a heartfelt story asking for money. We are the ones who pull up the reputable charity web sites and help Africa with our donations. Some will show you what you want to hear in order to get closer to your bank account. Others are actually helping the people who need our help. The clicks are our decision on who to believe and who is spam. There is no better filter than us.

Some information we gladly share. Unfortunately, most of the time it's our opinion - our judgments - our ideas of who we think other people are. A person writes something, usually the restricted 140 characters on where they are at any given time geographically, emotionally, spiritually or with work. Most may read them then go about their day; some leave comments that are kind and easy to read but, at times, others are more difficult to ignore. We have to make the decision to continue or click away from the "conversation". Again, there is no better filter than us.

The internet seems an easy to get to know a person. We can click on a Facebook profile, or a tweet, and with our ultra busy lives between appointments, family and traveling, we are able to squeeze time for a quick comment . It has created a false sense of security that we are developing a more personal relationship with these people. I still believe that one on one and in the room interaction is the best way to develop a relationship or make an existing one stronger.

There are the listeners out there too, who only read the content and barely have anything else to say back to you. We can not tell if they are listening after we post because we can not see them. After finding a few old friends on the internet, and living far away from them now, I have been able to reconnect with them. Several times, in person, they have mentioned a few things I have said, but have never commented on anything. However, without the personal interaction, I would have never known this.

I think we should treat it as any other media. On television, when we listen to critics of TV and movies thinking they should or shouldn't say certain things, because it can be heard by young ears, the answer is simple. Turn the television off. Do not take your children to the questionable movies. For living in a country with "freedom of speech", there seems to be very little of it in these two mediums. Put it on the internet, and it is a free for all. Anyone can say what they want, at any time of day, about anything. The only filter is ourselves to watch what we type and click it off if we don't like it.

Because one quotes Gandhi or Mother Teresa or scripture doesn't mean they are them, or raising themselves up to that level. They are merely trying to emulate a certain part of their lives for that moment in time, and passing along help to other people. Because it has a hint of religion, it could be taken wrong. There is no sense in getting mean or critical of one of these posts. Just scroll down, and in REAL LIFE, we would simply walk away, or graciously continue with the conversation. Because we can not see the other person's facial reaction or look into their eyes, some people become more brave and critical on internet postings and comments. They fail to remember if we were in a room with this person, their comments would never be heard.

Filters were basically designed to keep some type of pollutants on one side and keep impurities from tainting the other side. It's not hard to figure out.





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