I had a thought as I was reading a book about the evolution of Facebook.  Privacy Sucks.  That was the thought.  We live in a world that has its values are shaped by publicists, movies and secrecy.  Publicists because we only see the parts of the famous that they want us to (for the most part).  Movies because in the entire 2 hour life of our heroes they never screw up.  Secrecy because we don’t know most people’s mistakes and they don’t know ours.  These factors lead to a morality where our ideal boyfriends don’t ever checkout the ass of another girl.  Our ideal fitness experts don’t ever piece of birthday cake.  Hell, even our ideal interview candidates have never had one too many at a party.

Last year, Ryder Media published a survey that stated that 45% of employers use social media profiles to screen candidates; 35% have rejected a candidate because of something they found there.  I’m of the opinion that 90% of America has done something that, if posted on the web, would lead to us not being able to get a job.  Penalizing the people who have allowed whatever they did to be posted to the internet is ridiculous.  Would you rather have someone who sweeps their mistakes under the rug or someone who owns up to them?

Fortunately the rug is getting smaller and smaller.  Pretty soon, there won’t be enough room for your mistakes under there, you’ll have to put them out in public.  I for one am looking forward to that day.  The day where openness and honesty and being able to justify your actions are more important you’re your ability to avoid cameras.