About the Poems - JF
About the Poems
by John Findura Since the inception of social networking sites, like MySpace, it seems really difficult to keep yourself hidden. Unless you completely unhook yourself from the electronic world (gasp!) someone can always find you. I think it sometimes is a little voyeuristic, on both ends. I really enjoy the site Post Secret, where people send in anonymous secrets about themselves. It’s become a kind of ritual of mine, seeing what people are willing to reveal about themselves online. Staring in at peoples lives without them ever knowing is undoubtedly creepy, and often obsessive, but definitely wonderful for nights when you’re having trouble sleeping. I first got freaked out when students started sending me friend requests, even though I never used my full name. I started to wonder who else was looking for me, and then I started wondering who else I should be looking for. Then I got nervous, not that people were looking for me, but that I was looking for them. All in all, though, I find the whole business strangely comforting in an uncomfortable way.