Erik our guest speaker.

     Erik, was our guest speaker on Oct. 8, 2014. He was very interesting and informative about the web and the virtues of self publishing. I found a lot of what he said, to be true and somewhat scary about the internet. For instance, "if it's not on the internet it does not exist or it didn't happen," I find this challenging for those people interested in maintaining a low profile and not wanting undue attention. Or the scarier version of having "swatters",  calling you out and really dismantling your life and career as well. To think that there are people out there that take it upon themselves, perhaps because of a perceived slight, or that they just flat out don't like you and what you represent, that they could ruin your life by calling the police and turning a lie into unwanted attention.

     This is where I find the web unwelcome. If someone wants to try and control and maintain their web identity or image, yet, they don't have outright control of what others post about them, whether true or not. Your privacy, your home life can be spread all over the place! I do not welcome that possibility! Maybe, because I'm not from the internet generation, I'm not a fan of unwanted attention and the potential for having my privacy and image ruined in a matter of seconds. I recognize these are the worst case scenarios and the thousands who use the web to great success is admirable.

     The fact that Erik, was able to publish several books and continues to do so. As well as, create several online businesses is very exciting. I've known many writers that have achieved some success due to the opportunities the web provides. I guess with anything there is give and take, good and bad. I hope to get over my fear and concerns and be one of those people that takes advantage of the online tools and world wide web. Hopefully, our class, Virtual World, will continue to enlighten and alleviate my concerns?