What you say matters

When we, as common people, go online to vent about our day or complain about a person, that information goes out into the world and then has the ability to influence other people.  But, what we also have to remember is that it matters what is said and how it's put out there.  Because, the possibility that whatever you post, tweet or blog about may become a part of your 'permenant record' on the web could have consequences.

According to this article, with this type of communication you become the publisher.  And, as such, are bound by the same laws as the big media outlets.  In my mind, I am such a small person and have such a small presence on the web.  But, you just never know.

Back in the old days, somebody could rant and rave and complain for days and not have any impact.  They would be sitting in their rocking chair at home, yelling at the television about how that show was awful or that commercial was stupid.  If they were more ambitious, they could write a letter or make a phone call and have their voice heard that way.

Now, if we get upset by something, we go online.  We post mean words to somebody's Facebook page.  We complain to a company website about their product or advertising.  Granted, we still may yell at the television, but maybe now, we're on Skype and that yelling could be posted on YouTube before the rant is even complete.

As a publisher, we do have the option to remove the posts from wherever the rant occurred or apologize.  But, of course, there is always the chance that someone else happened upon what you said and decided to share it with the world.  It is now, potentially, in a permanent place in the world of social media.