privacy and etiquette in the internet age

The web is a wondrous thing, but the ability for all to have instant access to knowledge of all sorts is not always welcomed. Britt Blaser: "All the technical clues point to a transparent society that collectively knows as much about its participants as did the citizens of a 19th century village..."

It may seem counterintuitive, but being in that village with certain people you know feels more claustrophobic than being in it with strangers. And if you stumble across the writings of someone you know, it does - or can - feel like continuing to read is sneaky & shameful.

so ever the helpful moralist following in the gamboling footsteps of Bill Bennett i now offer you guidelines for when to stop reading, namely if any of the following apply:

1. you find the material boring/offensive/irritating
   
2. you know and frequently interact with the author and you have reason to believe that your readership would not be appreciated
   
3. you know and frequently interact with author and somehow haven't gotten around to mentioning to author that you have become reader. (note: this may indicate subliminal awareness of belonging in category #2)

See, short list, not so bad, you're probably in #1 anyway so it's up to you...