I recently read an article about something being called “e-venge.” Basically, we all have the power to say, well, anything about any one person or any entity and then blast it, via the WWW/Internet/online world, to just about every human in the world.
Scary? I think so!
Just as we can use this power for good, it can also be used for not-so-good. Burned by an ex? Mad at your boss? Looking to bury your competition? No problem…just tell the world that they’re jerks, unfair, cheaters, nasty, whatever floats your boat.
While most of us do live life under the rules of the “honor system,” there are those who don’t, won’t and/or can’t. And if you cross or threaten or anger one of them, watch out!
When I was an undergrad at the University of Pennsylvania, I wrote a newspaper column about what was being called the “Wall of Shame.” Basically, in a ladies’ room stall in the library, I once saw a graffiti message that named so-called campus date rapists and asked women to list male students’ names who fit the bill.
One name was listed when I first saw the writing. I happened to know of this guy and he didn’t have the best reputation. Regardless of his reputation, though, it had never been proven or even alleged in any legal way that he was more than just a jerk. I have and had no idea what the truth was, but I was sure the bathroom wall was not the place for the debate or for the legal system to kick in.
Today, we have the Internet (that was back in 1991). The medium has changed but the message hasn’t: words are powerful, yes. A public forum is also powerful. But just because it’s in print or on your computer screen doesn’t make it the truth!
