Just read this commentary about the troubles which can follow an "innocent" posting on one of the social networking sites such as MySpace.com.
Well written, and for those in any professional position (LIKE FUNERAL DIRECTORS), advice best taken to heart. As she puts it, MySpace is like getting a tatoo--ONLY WORSE! You can always cover up a tatoo but text and ideas and photos posted on the internet can get around very fast and become very public in a matter of minutes. Read this article and then think again about how you choose to present yourself on the world wide web.
From MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18706138/
Your last statement is the exact point the whole debate and concern is all about. "...how you choose to represnt yourself on the world wide web."
You hear all the bad things because that is what's always reported. But if you carry and present yourself in a decent matter, it really shouldn't matter being about of the 'myspace community'. Those who do not understand will always talk out of ignorance. Be true to oneself. If you post questionable material, then be prepare to defend yourself from any backlash that may arise from it now or later, period.
Posted by: capitolc | May 17, 2007 at 05:33 PM
Correct--to a point. Just remember that postings on the internet can EASILY get taken out of context and amplified to the point where you have no opportunity to defend yourself.
It is one thing to make a stupid comment at the local bar and get two or three people upset. Write the same words on the internet and you could upset two or three HUNDRED THOUSAND people. No level of defence is sufficient against those odds. When that happens, you're just plain out of a job.
Posted by: BT Hathaway | May 17, 2007 at 07:01 PM
Interesting comments! As many funeral companies make the move to the web, they will start to see more avenues available to them by providing responsible content in forums like yours. For example, our company Buy and Sell Cemetery Plots(http://www.buyandsellcemeteryplots.com/) just started a blog http://buyandsellcemeteryplots.wordpress.com to inform people about the necessity of strategic planning for funerals. Plus, we hope to take some of the sting out of the planning process by eliminating the jetters and cold feet associated with these plans! We welcome input and questions.
Posted by: D. Bourgeois | July 27, 2007 at 01:02 PM