Sunday, April 17, 2011

The facebook "Contract"?!

"Hey, why don't you have a facebook account?" a friend asked me the other day.
"Just the time factor," I replied. "I know I am in a small minority of people who are not on facebook."
"Well, if you do get an account, don't sign that contract," he said.
"Contract? There's no contract when you get an account with facebook." I was pretty sure.
"Some people do sign a contract," he said and sounded sure too.
"What kind of a contract is it?" I asked.
"Where you promise facebook to put up pictures and details of wherever you went, whatever you do," he said.
"Are you sure? I don't think there is anything like that." Or was there? Now I was having doubts.
"But then why would some folks put up pictures of where ever they go? And sometimes while they are still at that party or place!"
I thought for an instant. I had heard of people putting up pictures and details of almost everything they do...but not because they had to, its because they want to.
"That's not because of a contract! That's just because they want to share with friends," I said.
"But their friends are with them at all these places," my friend said.
"I think its for those 'friends' who are not there. I 'm sure there's no contract. They just want to share the fun they had," I replied.
"Hmm. If there is no contract, then its more like showing their 'friends' rather than sharing with them. That's 'targeted sharing'," he said.
"Targeted Sharing!' I almost laughed out loud. "I've heard of 'Targeted Advertising'....but you do have something there. Showmanship is a part of our lives and culture."

He made a great point. I think facebook is a revolutionary innovation of our times. People have found long lost friends and connected to folks all around the globe. But some do take it too far. Posting everything (often with extra spice!) about what we are doing on a daily (sometimes hourly!) basis is a bit of a stretch. The inherent brilliance of a person is a direct reflection of his or her simplicity, without the the extra showmanship and glitter.

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication!" ~ Leonardo Da Vinci  


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Sunday, April 3, 2011

Those whom the Gods love, die young...........

The headline you see above is probably true...... But it's no solace for me. This past weekend I lost a friend and my son lost his first coach and mentor. This one-in-a million individual completed his earthly journey at a very young age and passed on to be among angels. And believe me, he won't be out of place there, because he was an angel in real life too.

My association with him goes back about ten years. He saw my son playing soccer and talked to me to get him on a "Real Team"-- his own! That was Ty Lewis. Passionate about the game of Soccer, his team, his "boys". And no wonder his team players idolized him....and still do......and always will.

There are a few people who have personalities that leave a lasting impression on whomever they meet. And this individual was one of them. He will be missed by everyone who had ever met him.

As the age-old saying goes -- "Every man dies -- not every man really lives."  

Well, Coach Ty lived, and almost to perfection. From now on, every time I look up to the stars in the night sky, I'll know he's up there, looking out for the people he cared about the most, especially his "boys".

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