Tuesday, March 16, 2010

There is a reason it is not called "Private Diary"

Recently in Pennsylvania, a university professor was suspended for venting her workplace frustration on her Facebook page. On January 21, she posted a comment that read, "Does anyone know where I can find a very discrete hitman? Yes, it's been that kind of day..." The second comment, posted one month later, read, “Had a good day today, DIDN'T want to kill even one student :-). Now Friday was a different story." This professor only recently started her Facebook account, has 32 "friends" comprised of friends, relatives and colleagues. She has no students among her Facebook friends. She was unsure how her messages wound up at ESU's provost's office. After a 10 minute meeting with the Dean, she was escorted off campus by security.

The Facebook incident also points out how our off-hand musings cannot be considered private in the age of social networking”, said Montana Miller, an assistant professor of popular culture at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, who is also a Facebook Expert. (She is NOT the professor suspended.)

I don't teach so I can't adequately opine whether students are or are not irritating enough to make you drink, pull your hair out, or as this professor wrote, ponder worse ideas. I do think if you are going to write notes on your FB account, perhaps it is unwise to pen a sentence which  includes both of the words students and kill. However, the more interesting statement in this article is she was unsure how her messages wound up at ESU's provost's office because no students are her "friends" on her account.

Hmmm, let me call Colombo. And while I am waiting for him, I guess that one of your 32 "friends" who are also some of your colleages thought it perhaps unwise to pen sentences that include both the word students and kill.

PS: How in the world did Professor Miller become an expert in Facebook? If you are an expert, Professor, please help us all by telling us how to encourage certain people from the constant status updates like “I sure like bologna” and "I left my heart in Farmville."

In the ever-growing word of social media, is the expectation of privacy very valid? Facebook has an important word in the name: BOOK. As in, it is basically an open one and if you write shiznit about your school, your students, your employer, your boyfriend, or your Father’s employer, someone will use their SnagIt program and share it with the world. Otherwise, it might be called Face-SuperSafePlacetoAirAllYourSecrets. Someone should have told Sarah Henderson this news. But, she was sticking up for her Dad, right? 

But airing secrets on Facebook isn't as rare as it should be. I ran into an old neighbor recently. He is a newleywed and a salty one at that. A small tiff with his new bride escalated into an ugly brew-ha-ha when he read this on FB:

(His wife) Mrs. B: Day is bad. My husband is a total jerk.
His response: And, along with our entire families, one of your friends on FB who can read your status updates. 

YIKES. 

And even though you know Facebook is not called “Private Diary” for a reason, here are some other interesting examples from funny to fumbles of people who learned that ex post facto.













125 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ouch! I'm NOT on facebook but all of the above totally made me applaud myself for that :D

Kat said...

I'm sitting here cleaning up the mess I made spitting coffee out of my nose! But so worth it. Most of the people in our clinic have FB accounts, and I think they forget that in their race to have the most "friends" I can see all of their status updates. Let's just say it can make things interesting at review time :). Kathy

Anonymous said...

Being a teacher though, I also think we should have a right to be a little "cheeky" without having EVERY SINGLE WORD taken so freakin' literally. I mean, come on......

♥ Braja said...

And yeah hello can I have that COCKTAIL NOW PLEASE???

:)

♥ Braja said...

FB = Fan-Bloodytastic :))

Anonymous said...

Shouldn't put it on FB unless you don't care who sees it.

Secretia

Not From Lapland said...

oh dear me! the things people do, eh? that one about the woman's boss had me in stitches!

The Absence of Alternatives said...

Yes I am the first one here!!

The Absence of Alternatives said...

Forgot to add my actual comment. LOL. I can't read anything else after "a Facebook Expert"... Like you it piqued my interest. At least he's not a Facebook guru or ninja 'cause I'd totally throw up. Lots of Facebook faux pax to be found on the internet. My favorite was the girl with the status update "Is in the shower" and within an hour she got 43 likes. LOL. I do think the school is overreacting. Next, we are going to hear moms being visited by DCFS for venting about their children on their blogs? Ooops. I'd better watch what I write from now on... ;-)

mommakin said...

I was a college professor for a while. I never wanted to hire a hitman or kill anybody, but the pulling out of my own hair thing happened on a pretty regular basis. The level of entitlement among students today is outlandish.

For my new menial job I needed to sign a disclaimer about how and if anything work related could be mentioned on any type of social media. I've tried very hard to be careful - but when work becomes a big part of your life (and you live a nice sized chunk of your life online) it becomes very difficult. I definitely self censor a little more than I used to.

New world, new rules, old dog.

The examples you posted were hilarious.

Buckeroomama said...

OMG, those were pretty interesting reads those FB posts you shared! :)

Anonymous said...

I think that it is extremely unfair, not to say stupid, of the University to suspend the woman.

For a start, from what I know of those institutions these days, I cannot imagine any day passing when any normal professor doesn't want to kill at least three or four students and half her/his work colleagues - in fact, her feelings sound pretty restrained to me, particularly since she didn't actually do it!

Are they that stupid and unworldly they can't spot a little dark humour when it bites them in the ass.

I rather think that one of the most valuable functions of social networking sites as well as blogs is the facility they provide for people to vent - thus avoiding the desire to kill become something more concrete.

Of course, I still love and adore you, JennyMac and could never wish you harm, but JohnnyMac? Well now... LOL, LOL, LOL (that's a joke by the way - duh! - for the benefit of humourless authorities from Pennsylvania).

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Seriously, every time someone utters or writes "Facebook", I think "WHY?!"

I don't understand the phenomenon. I had plenty of high school the four years I was there; I don't need to relive the experience.

I joined once for less than 15 minutes at the prodding of my siblings. I thought it was creep that I had just joined and was barraged with 'friend requests', as though people were lurking and waiting for new arrivals. EWWW!

Recently, I had my sister tour me around FB for an hour and I still thought "WHY?" and then "WTF?!"

Can you or anyone else explain it's popularity to me? I wish someone would post about it. Really. And I mean someone intelligent. (Hint, hint.)

Slamdunk said...

Hilarious examples JM.

I remember reading a story last year about a young professional who was in the application process for a job with a Fortune 500. She posted several Tweets about how this job was just a fall-back one, that the long communte would make her an unproductive employee, and she hoped to land another position closer to home. She learned that: HR reps read Twitter as well.

Unknown said...

OK roflmbo.. gee ya think?? People still amaze me.. hence why I m alo a fan of failbook lol..

the walking man said...

oddly enough this morning AP had an article how the FBI is posing as "friends" to get access to accounts both foreign and domestic and not just for the purpose of combating terrorism.

I keep telling the kids to say it face to face and leave the idle venting for Kilimanjaro. Better to get in a brawl with fists than one ever schmuk can read about for years to come.

And yes students have a way of getting under the skin of an educator just as they do a parent.

MommaKiss said...

Oh the joy I get out of people being dumb. Seriously. To think that stuff won't be read. And copy/pasted for all to see. I love failbooking.com. Hours of entertainment.

debra@dustjacket said...

I'm always surprised at what is written on social forums, kinda scary they think only their friends will read it......

Dual Mom said...

I have a friend that works in HR. She said it's common practice for potential employers to check out someones fb account before hiring them. Keep that in mind if you're job hunting.

jackie fo said...

hahahaha.... i am laughing right now... it takes a lot to get to me to laugh out loud in the AM. Thanks :)

Kat said...

@Dual Mom - yes it is common practice. Makes weeding a whole lot easier. If they are dumb enough to leave their pages public for everyone to see, I probably don't want them working for me :) Kathy

pook555 said...

Great post - while I do think the school overreacted to the fb posts, it does seem a little dim to write things (even in jest) about killing your students. Especially since her colleagues were her "friends" (aka her competition in academia). It's always a safe bet just to post things that are silly or funny, but won't get you fired (good rule of thumb anywhere). This post was hilarious!!

Brian Miller said...

it is really scary what people put on facebook...i had to "fire" a volunteer once for comments she made about some kids we were working with...

Anonymous said...

Your post reminded me of this story. It's sad for someone to lose a job over this kind of venting. But you're right - people need to be aware of how public these forums are.

Kim Dettmer said...

Oh...so funny! Sometimes people just don't think. LOL!

Unknown said...

Oh.My.Goodness. Some of those Facebook updates made me Gasp Out Loud.....what is WRONG with these people!!!?? Loved the employer's response in the first one...."your P45's in the post"!!

Loved your Farmville comment too....who are all these people spending so much time on Farmville, putting up barn and who knows what else?! A very odd hobby IMHO!

Great post JennyMac!

:)

Kate said...

Bloody hate Facebook. Think the teacher was moronic to post those comments but can certainly sympathise with the sentiment. It doesn't seem so terrible to me.

Secret Mom Thoughts said...

Wow scary what people write on FB.

NSGIRL said...

lmao...some of those are hilarious!

ellen abbott said...

I guess it just depends on your maturity level. I'm on FB. It allows me to keep up with friends/acquaintances and people in the glass art world that I wouldn't ordinarily correspond with but now have a connection to. I'm selective about who I add as 'friend'. I realize that friends of my friends can read my comments to the mutual friend's post but I don't write anything I wouldn't say out loud. That's where the maturity level comes in.

Unknown said...

Don't know what these people are thinking when they write such things on Facebook!

Mama-Face said...

Ha. I love bologna. LOL

And then there's the announcing of your pending vacation. Hello; no one will be home at my house.......

Nothing we type into a computer (on the internet) is private anymore. Sad, but true. I'm afraid to type anything more controversial than that even now.

EmcogNEATO! said...

I'm with you. And I would like to add that I make good use of the options to include and exclude individuals/groups on specific postings and status updates. The ability to keep your personal thoughts relatively personal is there -- more people would use it.

Erin said...

That is the funniest thing I have read! The exact reason that I have a "personal" FB page that was created in college, and one for bosses, coworkers and family members.

Some things just should be kept to your self no matter who you are friends with on FB or in real life.

JenJen said...

Gosh...I've never cringed more in a post than I have during this one.
Sheesh. Get. A Filter.

Anonymous said...

It is amazing how people forget that there is no privacy in the cyber world.

Yankee Girl said...

I am so glad I was born with a functioning brain. Too bad some of the people you mentioned were not.

Lee said...

This is why I never disclose on facebook or on twitter...you never know who is watching.

Leiah said...

My FB account is set up so no one other than one of my friends can see what I have on there but I also use enough discretion and common sense not to put my every thought and move on there. I LOVE Lamebook. It really makes you ponder the question "How come common sense really isn't?" Great post!

Unknown said...

Ooohhh Facebook...there's so much to say. I enjoy it for reconnecting with people, but some of the things friends post creep me out. Airing out their dirty laundry about their divorce on a status? Really? Telling me how much your cervix is dilated? Disgusting. Not appropriate, not even interesting. And Farmville should be illegal.

Jules AF said...

I got in trouble for saying I was a little depressed on my blog. My advisor compared me to the Columbine murderers. This is a VERY touchy subject.

Bossy Betty said...

I delight on getting on Facebook and seeing some of the stupid things that people who put me down in high school say! (And they usually say it with misspelled words and hideous grammar.) Guess they shouldn't have made fun of the egghead in high school!

Salt said...

Npw that I'm finished laughing...

So this woman. The Facebook Expert who is a Doctor. Does she have her PhD in Facebooking? Clearly she's not a very good expert if she is going to post dumb crap like that and get suspended from work.

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

OMG. Makes me want to shut down my FB account. Oh brother. Scary. So easy to forget how many people can see it.

Summer said...

Hmmm...I believe it may be time for some Facebook "cleaning"...LOL!

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...

People just keep putting it out there! GAH!
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Mrs. Mootz said...

HAHAHAHA! I love how stupid people can be on facebook!

Simply Suthern said...

I don't do FB but my wife opened up an account after her sis said she should check out our kids pages. When the wife approached them about it they got all upset because she was invading their privacy. Whaaa?????? You gotta have FB Brain to think only your friends read it. Worse, my wife left me for Farmville.

Unknown said...

That's why I keep my status updates that are tacky--- very vague.

Debbie said...

People have always been stupid. Now they are just stupid in more public places.
I always love your take on things!

Rubes said...

Love it.

Kristina P. said...

Failbooking.com is my new favorite time waster. People are SO DUMB!!!

The mad woman behind the blog said...

Sadly, FB had become the place for me to post pics of my daughter and my home improvement projects. All due to the diversity of my family. Can't afford to offend one of them. Dammit.
Too bad it makes me look really lame.

Diane Schmidt said...

Very funny post, and so true-what are people thinking when they post things for all to see-that people won't see it?
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog :)

Carol {Everyday Delights} said...

Yikes!! I aqm very very careful about what I post on facebook since I am "friends" with people I work with.

Elle said...

You hear stories like this more and more often--people getting "caught" saying something on Facebook or Twitter and getting in trouble for it. It's amazing to me that people--especially a college professor--aren't catching on that they should watch what they say.

I can totally understand why this professor said the things she did--some of my fellow college students are ignorant, douchey, entitlement whores--but I think she should've known better than to say it on Facebook.

Jane said...

These examples are great!

I'm officially taking a FB break. About a month ago, I just decided that it wasn't fun anymore. The conservatives that I grew up with and the liberals that I am friends with now just weren't playing nice in my Facebook sandbox. And stupidity makes me sad, so I walked away for awhile.

And I really don't miss it at all. Go figure.

Jane Kennedy Sutton said...

I’m not a teacher either or a Mensa member, but I do watch the news. You don’t have to add two and two together to know a few words that should never be used in a school or business environment. By the way, I enjoyed the Facebook samples.

MindyMom said...

Silly, silly people.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Hysterical!! I read but don't post and I think this FB has gone places it should not have gone!! I'm just sayin if you post it they will read it!

Carma Sez said...

she's a professor and that's how she spells "discreet" Now I'm really worried.

Ducky said...

Mercy me! Reason #2 I don't do facebook. I work in education....last thing I need is for one of my students or the dumbass faculty to see my rantings....that's what anon blogging is for, right?

Ed sent me over....glad he did! Plus Erin just raves about you....

MommyLisa said...

You can see LOTS more funny examples on Lamebook.com ;)

Lindsey said...

Loved this post! As I teach 6th through 8th grade computers, this obviously comes up when I teach about cyber bullying and social networking. Nothing better than on a Sunday afternoon creeping through Facebook pictures to find photos of high school kids at college parties that weekend. How do you explain that one to the principal on Monday?

Amanda @ It's Blogworthy said...

I'm VERY careful of what I post on Facebook these days. My blog, too, for that matter. You NEVER know who is watching or reading.

And why would the girl post about her husband when he's on her FB friends list? Geez. AT least talk about him to your coworkers behind his back.

Little Ms Blogger said...

My privacy settings are locked down because I'm job hunting and I'm pretty boring - many farmville status updates. Yup. I wrote that. I'm addicted to FV.

However, my nephew wrote something stupid about his boss and my sister sent him an email. Now he's careful what he posts.

If you want a diary, do want I do, keep a paper journal - nothing electronic - ya know, old school it.

Anonymous said...

See I have two opinions on this.

One, it's FACEBOOK and for 99.9% of the time, filled with inane people saying silly harmless things you'd say to friends in every day life and to fire someone over some OBVIOUSLY silly comment that she is joking about is ridiculous, particularly when they know that person.

Secondly, to be dumb enough to keep your FB page public and say stuff like that in this day in age is equally ludicrous. I'm all for the posting personal comments about your day like that, but for god's sake that's what the private functions are for and if you don't use them and then wonder why people can google your name and find them, you're an idiot.

So really, however you look at it, it's preposterous. Still, people take these things way, way too seriously too.

This is why I don't do any social networking sites at all. Well, unless you count this one. :)

Unknown said...

There are days when I feel terribly old and out of it. And then there are days when I follow those feelings up with, "What? That's a BAD thing??"

I'm nearly 46. That means I came of age back in Bedrock with Fred and Wilma, before cell phones, home computers, texting, the internet, and for a while, microwave ovens.

"Social networking" meant everyone standing in the same room, having the same conversation. You had no delusions as to who heard what you said, and no expectation of deniability when you were called on it. "Social" still meant "knowing how to relate to others of your species".

My kids (and my oldest is 22) live in a world where most of their so-called socializing happens inside their own heads. We have coming into adulthood an entire generation who has grown up honestly believing that what they think and feel at this very moment is all that matters, and that there should never be consequences for putting those thoughts and feelings out there.

And now, they're losing jobs, failing at relationships, and neglecting any responsibility that doesn't allow for their world view, namely "I'm the center of the only universe that counts."

Scared much??

Jenn@ You know... that blog? said...

Hahahaha, love those FB ooopsies. I've posted some stupid things on my profile in the past - I have tried to think thrice about posts ever since... Not always easy when you're in a mood ;)

foxy said...

Uh, WOW on that Sarah Henderson story. I mean, she REALLY thought that was a good idea?? REALLY??

brokenteepee said...

I don't even know what to type...I am just flummoxed.

Do people not realize that ANYTHING they type into a social networking site is visible..

erm, get a diary. An old fashioned PAPER diary.

Emily said...

She's probably a self-proclaimed FB expert.
Just as you should never email anything you don't want others to read, you shouldn't post on FB things you don't want others to read as well.

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

A college professor once told me that just because you can write a book does not mean it should be published... with all that is available now, getting published is not as big a deal as it once was... And everyone can do it... Even those that don't deserve to be published

ThatsBaloney said...

Those are hysterical!

Unknown said...

I'm on the fence about FB. I have seen it suck people in to things like Farmville and they are never seen again. I remember one of my blog pals who I loved reading her blog that got on FB and she quit her blog to manage her farm.

I basically stop and really think about what I'm going to say on FB. It's the same with blogging. If I say it, apparently, I want others to read it so I take it into my own hands.

Tara said...

The tranny one made me laugh!

Montana said...

There are some misunderstandings here. First, I did not actually say the quote you attribute to me; the writer of the news story (http://tinyurl.com/yba82tw) did. That reporter referred to me as a Facebook expert; some might consider me an expert because I have been studying the phenomenon since it appeared in 2004, documenting its evolution and speaking on the topic at national and international conferences. My Ph.D. is in folklore and anthropology of education. And I am NOT the professor who was suspended, as "Salt" implies. Also, I'm a woman. The examples you present here are from Lamebook.com; you might want to cite that. Thanks for raising awareness about this issue, anyway. Sincerely, Montana Miller (Department of Popular Culture, Bowling Green State University)

Christopher said...

This is why I avoid social networking. I have enough trouble with drunken texting, I can't imagine what drunken status updates would do.

Those were hilarious by the way.

Matty said...

These are Grade A classics. I have Facebook and Twitter and almost never use them, but if I do, I never mention my job at all. Nor do I advertise my job on my blog or talk about it.

Unknown said...

Obviously I am on FB, but I try to be careful about what I post. That being said, it recently occurred to me that comments I leave on other people's blogs may not be as innocent/anonymous as I once thought. I'm sure you'd have to be akin to Sherlock Holmes to find the stuff, but...still....it's scary. I can't think about it too much or I'll just have to shut the whole blogging thing down.

SmartBear said...

Those FB posts were HILARIOUS...and also the reason why I ignore all friend requests from people I work with.
Meanwhile...I AM still struggling with my feelings about the blogosphere and how I express myself on it.

Unknown said...

Wow. I'm pretty sure that comment by Sarah Henderson was fueled by alcohol. Liquid courage...
I have learned the hard way to be very careful of status updates. I made the mistake of venting my pain on the death of a family member...and not everyone in my family had found out yet. I still have guilt about that, even though my family has forgiven me.
Now, if I want a pure form of uncensored venting, I reach for the old paper journal and pencil.

C'est La Vie said...

hahahaha these crack me up.

seriously?! that is hilarious!

i'm constantly shocked at things people put on there

JennyMac said...

Professor Montana: Thank you so much for visiting and your willingness to share clarification. I knew you were a woman and I think most people realized you were not the professor suspended. The examples I posted are not from Lamebook but rather came from a variety of sources like oddee, top ten, and emails people have shared. I have first heard of Lamebook.com today.

I appreciate your feedback and wanted to email you back but your email is not linked. Best, JennyMac

Unknown said...

I have made it a point to NOT be friends with co-workers! Don't want my status updates out there at review time! lol

Mrs. M said...

Those are some very, um, interesting status updates. I've seen some people "arguing" on there recently. I especially love when someone is ranting about something and uses acronym after acronym and/or has horrible grammar. I hardly ever type a status update, and when I do it's NEVER to complain about anybody other than POSSIBLY my kids. Or the weather.

Ashley Stone said...

haha GREAT post! I have always said that...hello... it's on the internet..people can read it!!!

I used to work for my parent's company and I still have some old co-workers as friends on facebook. One of them decided to bash my parents one day and talk about how stupid they are as employers...hello...I read it all and forwarded it to my parents. Some people are just dumb.

Sniff said...

I'm not on FB myself. I tried it once to look for a long lost pal, but after that I just failed to see the attraction of the whole thing. But these examples are hilarious, though! Might have to look into that lamebook for a few more laughs. Maybe I'll become addicted to that instead? ;)

The professor that was sacked, it seems a very harsh reaction, but then again I can understand her employer's view. What she did was very unprofessional. Being a student, I wouldn't like to read about my professor wanting to kill me, even if just a joke. If I had said or done something stupid, I'd much rather the lecturer spoke to me about it. I'd feel very uncomfortable going to that professor's class and asking questions if I knew I'd risk being made the laughing stock among other students and university employees.

bluzdude said...

First off, I’m an alum of Bowling Green State University (Go Falcons!), where your Facebook Expert comes from. Bowling Green was one of the first schools that featured a Pop Culture Dept. (Pioneered by Dr. Ray Browne, who just recently passed away.) So the study of social media would be right up their alley… if there is to be such a thing as a “Facebook Expert”, it’s no surprise that she came from Bowling Green.

Secondly, that post rebuttal by the boss was freakin’ hilarious!

Kate said...

Perhaprs not very sensible but I think social networking can sometimes feel more private than it is. And those pictures are hilarious!

Kate xx

Miss E said...

Very good post! So true, everyone needs to understand this new social media world we're living in.

PS - those status updates were disturbing and hilarious.

DogsDontPurr said...

I have a relative who is totally into facebook....yet she doesn't think or realize that it is open to the public. It's very entertaining to read as she posts everything about her soap opera life, and often includes people's phone numbers and email addresses. She uses FB to keep in touch with her daughter rather than use the phone, so there are some very personal posts on there. Sadly, it's hilarious! Oy.

secret agent woman said...

I've taught college classes as an adjunct professor, so I can really understand her feeling that way but ill-advised for her to write it n FB. That's what blogs are for!

I especially love the one where the woman got herself fired by dissing her boss. That's instant karma.

Regina said...

I love any media that makes it easier for individuals to make asses of themselves, show their complete ignorance, or just make great foot-in-mouth comments that are in print for the world to review! Long live Facebook!

J.J. in L.A. said...

I'm careful on my FB because a lot of family is on it. But I thought my blog was "safe". That's why I had to change my URL. lol!

yonca said...

Oh My..really? Those are very interesting status updates!

Boulter trouble said...

I have no doubt that, at some point in my life, I too will make a mistake in a similar manner......

leigh hewett said...

You might get a kick out of this Blog

http://stfuparents.tumblr.com/

w said...

is it horrible that i'm cracking up at the screen shots? because i am.

shortmama said...

This just proves the stupidity of some people...hilarious but stupid

Sarah at The Stroller Ballet said...

An acquaintance from high school posted her husband's death, and (an overview of) his autopsy on facebook. My husband was like, "well, I guess you just want people to know, so they don't ask questions." I still found it curious. I mean, just so personal.

wendy said...

Man, I am having problems with my computer tonight.
I left this huge comment...then my computer went nuts-o on me, and I see it didn't go through.....
oh dang
So what did I say....
Oh yeah, something Like, I am not a fan of facebook, even though it was how my hubby and I reconnected.
Kinds silly really
I have seen people have fights on facebook
be catty
silly comments like "I am going to clean up the dog poop now"

and I don't even begin to UNDERSTAND twitter.
guess it all ages me eh

and I have worked as a teachers aide in a middle school....oh wow, stressful indeed. some students are so Disrespectful.
So it is unfortunate that she lost her job by expressing her frustrations.

that's what I said, something like that

Conquer The Monkey said...

unreal. it is called common sense people! in light of the world we live in , including that psycho professor who recently gunned down her colleagues bc she didn't make tenure, it is not an overreaction to have that prof. escorted off campus by security ..... she should not be allowed to teach in my opinion......there are ways to express annoyance or frustration, which no doubt do occur, other than talking about guns, death and so forth.

Herding Cats said...

I'm kind of with Jules on this one. I think (as a teacher) not everything we say is INTENDED as that. I mean, teachers get frustrated and vent. It probably shouldn't use the word "kill" or "hitman" but I think a warning should have been in order for this professor. I don't think she should have been fired.

Montana said...

JennyMac, my pleasure! And Google will help you find my faculty web page at BGSU, if you want to get in touch more directly.
I maintain the Department of Popular Culture's Twitter page, if you're interested in further links...
http://twitter.com/PopCultureBGSU

Montana Miller

Claudya Martinez said...

The one where the boss responded is priceless. I have to say it made me like the boss.

Anonymous said...

LoL. Do I REALLY need to get into how Social Media can ruin one's life?

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091111/NEWS/911110335

Anonymous said...

My FB and my blog are written as if anyone can see them. If it's something that I think can get me, or anyone else in trouble, it doesn't get posted because stuff like that is not for public consumption. Does that mean I don't write funny stories about my patients? Absolutely not. But I also balance the funny story of the woman whose daughter sprayed bidet water all over her face to my compassion for the guy who had lost his mind due to a stroke. And rarely, if ever bringing up the stories of situations that make me mad...always keeping name, age and sometimes even gender very anonymous, so as not to reveal any privacy.

mCat said...

One of my favorite websites is lamebook.com

People realy are stupid when it comes to some of the stuff they post!

Murr Brewster said...

When I was working as a letter carrier, no one kept us to high standards, and those who might have were properly wary. Now that I'm retired, I can probably get away with writing anything I want. But my private life is just between me and the burros.

Grand Pooba said...

Oh man, facebook and twitter, I still can't believe some of the stuff I read on there!

And Miley Cyrus wonders why everyone shows up at the McDonalds she tweeted about a few minutes earlier. Um, hello? Because you basically just told the whole world where you were going to be and when!

An open invitation.

People, people.


(And marraige problems and family problems do not need to be announced to the world facebook users!)

Vivienne @ the V Spot said...

Facebook may very well be the new Darwinian standard to weed out stupid people from jobs, relationships, etc.

Is there a Fan Page for Common Sense? 'Cuz I might actually join that one.

Anonymous said...

Those FB snafu shots are hilarious! The stupidity of people never ceases to amaze me!

Tasha said...

my friend just gradutated to become a teacher and in their grad they told her class about the dangers of all this social media so now we have to be careful about everything we say. i dont really agree with it but i get where the higher powers are coming from.

those facebook examples are the best hahahahahahaha

Chez Zizi said...

So funny. I have seen some of those before and it still makes me laugh at how stupid people can be at times.
Always think of what you are writing before you hit send - nothing is private on the internet.

Zizette

Intense Guy said...

Whatever happened to the freedom of speech?

Did the 9/11-Bush years mean we now have the FaceBook Gestapo?

I don't see why that professor was suspended either - someone managerial should have pulled her aside as asked, "Things going okay?" before it got to that.

But that would mean someone actually working and doing their job... nahh.. not gonna happen in the USA.

Sultan said...

Sometimes the truth does not set you free after all.

AnnQ said...

LMFAO on those FB posts! Totally hysterical.

The Girl said...

When will people learn not to add people they work with on Facebook. Not a good idea.

I need to work out how to label myself a Facebook expert too. Sounds like something I could achieve.

And Failbooking.com keeps my world afloat, I go on it every day.

Organic Motherhood with Cool Whip said...

I think I'm going back to school to major in Facebook. I think I could be good at that....

Inge' said...

I must confess I am addicted to Face Book. But I realize that with all my friends someone is going to be offended if I post anything that hits too close to home.

I am old enough to realize that face book is a PUBLIC forum. Didn't have to go to college to figure that out either.

Unfortunately, I am addicted to some of the games and do have a plethora of posts on my pg about them.

To have someone view my pg before deciding to hire/fire/promote me, is a little much. What if they don't agree with my religion/political/fashion opinions? Since these factions would most likely not play a role in my work what difference does it make to my employer?

This kind of thing makes the "Snoop Sisters" look like amateurs.

Corrie Howe said...

As I read your post, comments left and other similar items, it just shows us that we are in a whole new world. Everyone is trying to figure out how it works and how to respond to things. On the one hand, there are people at schools who didn't respond and people died. On the other hand it seems that there are people who over respond. And who is to know where the line is. Did any suspect that professor a few months ago to come in and kill colleagues?

Anonymous said...

The last one is hilarious!

I have to agree. Facebook is not a diary.

Pandorah's Box said...

BAHAHAHA!!! Oh my goodness! That is too much. Facebook is awesome.

What wrong with bologna? Officially changing my FB status to "I like bologna". Thanks JennyMac!

;)

Brandi said...

OMG! Dying at those FB entries!

My hubby made the mistake of adding old high school friends as well as current work colleagues. One of his old 'friends' thought it would be funny to post a pic of him when he was 15 mooning a group of his friends. Yep, now his bare arse and part of his left ball are on FB for everyone to see. Nice, right?