Teresa: Wow, I just googled it Teresa: I love that Google became a verb Matt: I know, it's convenient Teresa: I don't know when it happened, but it did Teresa: If "bootylicious" can be in the Oxford English Dictionary, then damnit, so can the verb google! Matt: Speaking of Google: my friends and I have this ongoing debate about whether it's acceptable or creepy to google someone that you are interested in. What do you think? Teresa: Because of the access, it’s acceptable. It’s not like you’re snooping Teresa: Also, I google people independent of interest and I don't want to be creepy Matt: I agree with you but for the sake of arguing, just because you have effortless access to information, is it still right? Teresa: I google professors like its going out of style Matt: I think it’s customary for students to google professors Teresa: It’s also an age issue Matt: What do you mean? Teresa: I know for a fact that if I google myself, nothing comes up Teresa: If I was older maybe something would and maybe I wouldn't like it then Teresa: Ask me after I’m in the big house serving time, maybe it'll change Matt: But you get positive returns if you google me, and we are the same age Teresa: That’s what happens when you have a website Matt: Regardless of that content you find, is there something implied by the act of googling alone? Teresa: I do see what you’re getting at, and I do not personally take issue with the concept of googling a person Matt: As few as five years ago, it would be unthinkable to have incredibly easy access to personal information about individuals. Maybe privacy is being eroded by this phenomena Matt: In a William Shatner song, he says, "Everybody knows everything about all of us. That's too much knowledge!" Teresa: I see the point but it doesn’t strike me as unusual Matt: Is privacy inconsequential to the advancement of telecommunications and information technology? Teresa: That is dependant on your definition of private information Matt: For instance, there are articles about me online. Some of that information I wouldn’t want everyone to see, but I don't have control over it Teresa: Fair enough, however, it’s still there whether people google it or not Matt: The dilemma with technology throughout history is that it advances faster than ethics. It’s after the fact that we have to make judgments about it. Cloning and bioengineering are examples. Heck, we are still fighting out abortion and that’s been around for decades. Matt: With the mass production of cars, people didn't know it would mean the development of suburbs. It happened before they could make a judgment Teresa: How are individuals supposed to form an opinion on something that hasn't happened? Matt: It's inevitable. Once we are up to our neck in controversy then we are forced to make a decision. Maybe that is why we’re having this conversation about googling Matt: There is always a trade-off. On one hand is easy access to information on the other is exposure of personal information Teresa: To google or not: it’s the epic quandary of the day Matt: For some Teresa: If one is going to take an anti-googling stance, why is it okay to google professors but not interested parties? Matt: Most professors are published Teresa: You also have access to personal not just professional information. What professors publish says nothing about whether or not they play tennis, show their dogs or quilt Matt: This issue is comparable to tabloids and celebrities. Because they are in the spot-light, does that mean they are allowed less privacy? Maybe the spotlight is getting bigger Teresa: Maybe Andy Warhol was right. At least, a different kind of fame Teresa: This google issue has certainly made me play with google in the last few minutes Matt: Me too Teresa: I found myself four times, and I have to say I didn't expect it Matt: What did you find? Teresa: I’m listed for a grant I earned last summer, road races I was signed up for, my high school graduation year, and my placement as an RA Teresa: Complete with a photo