Why I Want To Invade Your Privacy

Facebook makes me crazy. Every day I am shocked by the ignorant, narcissistic, and just plain bizarre things that people post about themselves there. (I know, that doesn’t mean much coming from someone who has posted all manner of personal tidbits on this blog in the past.)

The internet has created a brave new world of oversharing, privacy invasion, and communication. We are in uncharted waters. No generation before us has had the opportunity to share their innermost secrets with millions of people all over the globe.

I was having a conversation with my publisher about this today. She and I share quite a few personality similarities—mainly, our hermit-like tendencies. We were discussing how much was too much to share online. Where do you draw the line?

Why even bother with sharing things online in the first place? Isn’t it an exhausting waste of time? Why add your one tiny voice to the sea of millions?

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about this and this is what I’ve concluded:

I don’t want to know that you are driving to WalMart right now. I don’t want to know that you are a better seamstress, baker, or Christian than me. I don’t want to know about your personal bodily functions or see pictures of you half-dressed (no matter how much you’ve been working out).

But I do want to invade your privacy. I want to know what information you have that can help me. Maybe you’ve already survived life with young kids and you can tell me how you made it through. (Because some days, I wonder how I will ever make it through the day. . . much less years.)

Maybe you’ve already tackled homeschooling. Or you’ve learned how to choose your battles, how to be content where you are, how to be an encouraging spouse. Maybe, just maybe, you’ve found the magic system to keeping the dishes done or overcoming writer’s block, or how to practice holistic/natural medicine rather than visiting the doctor.

I think that sometimes we (I) tend to demonize the internet and technology in general. Yet the truth is that we have a truly powerful gift. I think if we are sharing of ourselves online to lift up and encourage others, then we are within the bounds of what is morally and socially responsible. When we cross over into the murky waters of indulgent personal sharing and talking just for the sake of hearing ourselves talk, well. . .  then we’ve crossed the line.

But the fact is there are lots isolated and overwhelmed folks out there. When we are in the bright times of life, we often forget what the valley looked like. We forget how one encouraging word or helpful tip made all the difference to getting through that day or week! (I know for me that talking to a woman who has been through divorce, single motherhood, and remarriage is like water for a parched soul. To know that others have survived is a huge blessing!)

I’ve been thinking about what I have to offer in my tiny little space of the internet, and I guess I can (hopefully) at some point encourage single mothers, particularly those who want to homeschool and survive without government assistance. I can also encourage people who are interested in living debt-free, eating naturally, raising free-range kids, gardening, home churches, etc. Even though I often struggle with my self-esteem, the fact is that I do have a lot of things to offer, and I know that you do, too!

It’s my hope that none of us will use privacy as a mask to hide behind. Let’s not keep the gifts and talents God has given us under wraps just because the internet is a scary and strange place. The truth is that the internet is a platform, just like any other tool. Think about how the writers of yore would have jumped at the chance to have their work reproduced by any means at all—but were instead stuck with robed monks hand copying manuscripts by candlelight.

We’ve come a long way and we should take advantage of it!