Plenty has been said about the latest privacy snafus already, with different camps popping up to defend their vested interests, but with mostly (Nick Bilton being the notable exception) conversations complaining on how this is some sort of “mobbing” on the poor, poor entrepreneur folk of the valley.
Bilton makes a valid point about the danger these privacy leaks pose to those using social media outside the confines of Silicon Valley. While I agree it is highly unlikely Egyptian dissidents are affected by the Path incident, I find this argument conveniently dismissive of the greater safety implications at play. Sure, Path may not yet be the latest digital rage down in Tahrir Square, but framing the discussion within the limited geo-political confines of the US is ignorant and incorrect. The Path’s of today could well be the Facebook/Twitter/Message Boards of tomorrow and failing to hold companies accountable for their technical transgressions sets dangerous precedents.
So, as the conversation continues on whether anybody daring to calling out (apparently now this is mobbing) entrepreneurs on their technical snafus might put a damper on “innovation”, let us not forget social media products are exported for foreign use at breakneck speed and carelessness - sometimes just utter disregard - relating to user’s privacy can, and has, resulted in violence towards users abroad.
We pepper spray/beat/hose down people camping out to exercise their first amendment rights, but somehow people camping out to buy superfluous stuff is ok. Mixed up priorities much?
Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you’re not.
Margaret Thatcher
Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.
I’m still at #BlogHer11 reveling in all the crazy activity but I have a quick gripe about something I’ve been thinking about all night. Yesterday, at the Newbie Breakfast, I was approached by one of the BlogHer founders. Upon mentioning I had received a LATISM scholarship to attend, and confirming that indeed - I am Latina, she proceeded to ask: So, are you attending the Immigration session tomorrow?
To say I was a big dumbfounded is putting it mildly. I don’t fault her as this is not the first time I’ve been in this situation (actually, it happened at Netroots Nation as well) but I wonder - why would she/people assume this? When did my ethnic makeup determine my interests? Don’t get me wrong, I am interested in the subject, I follow developments in the matter and try to help out activists as much as possible … BUT, and this is a big but, I’m an environmental activist/blogger first and foremost. Yes, there’s a big intersection at some point, but I resent the fact that people would make that assumption.
When did we become a single issue constituency? When did we become a single constituency, period? Would people make the same sort of assumptions about other attendants here? Would they jump into a conclusion and classify someone as a “Mommy Blogger” vs. a Health, Politics, Relationship, Food or Education blogger based on their provenance? I doubt it.
I’m multidimensional, chingados! Just like the rest of y’all.
Ok, I confess. I’m completely nerding out as a BlogHer newbie this year. I’ve been trying to get ready this week, reading up on tips and lists and whatnot on everything from what to wear (Easy, non-wrinkly dark dress, cute - flat! - sandals and a cashmere wrap) to what to bring (water bottle, skip the protein bars, lots to pick from at the expo) etc. And yet … I was NOT ready for the whole buzz! This place is absolutely, positively crazy… and it’s only 9 am!
I’m excited and opitionated, so expect lots of posts on here through the weekend!
And I can’t say this enough: A million thanks to #Latism (Latinos in Social Media) for making this happen!
