Hey, guess what! While you’re reading this, I’m probably at work, which means I’m not home.
The most likely criminal to break into my place probably sold his computer for drug money long ago.
Where are you? Do you feel safe? Does anyone know where you are?
Did you update your location on Foursquare?
I’m not gonna lie: Foursquare annoys the living shit out of me. But that’s a side note.
What does give me a reason to write about Foursquare here is the fact that my Facebook news feed and Twitter stream are flooded with people telling me where they are. If you’re somewhere interesting, I appreciate the tip. I actually like it when I read about somewhere new.
HOWEVER, if you’re tweeting/Facebooking every five minutes, telling me you’re in the fucking bathroom of a McDonald’s, please ask yourself why you need to do this.
Or why you feel safe.
Or if you should be concerned.
As much as you are annoying me, I can’t tell you to stop. It’s your life and your social networking account; you can do whatever the fuck you want, and I don’t have to listen.
Just don’t be surprised when things like Please Rob Me are created. Before I continue, here are some gems from Twitter*:
obxdesignworks: @petelbury And I’m robbing your house now thanks to @pleaserobme
vicequeenmaria: You know, @pleaserobme might be the solution for those chronic hoarders who can’t get rid of shit.
almitra: Hi @pleaserobme did you know I pack heat and I’ve got vicious guards? And I live with multiple ex-Marines? Didn’t think so.
MaryESkinner: RT @Gboruk: @KseniaCoffman I’d rather the people behind @pleaserobme went after farmville instead of @foursquare… it’s WAY more annoying
carlosmayorga: Plus, why does @pleaserobme have to use a person of color as their logo? Come correct next time!
Writes Jennifer VanGrove for Mashable, “It’s no secret that when you share your location via Google Buzz and Foursquare you’re exposing information that could put you at risk. Many of us location-sharers get so caught up in the novelty and bonuses associated with our behavior that we forget the implications of our actions. PleaseRobMe.com seeks to make us more aware.”
Sometimes I wonder if we’re all just waiting for the powers-that-be to make rules about things like Twitter and Foursquare, so we can relinquish ourselves of the responsibility that comes with using these tools.
“I actually don’t like that someone is explaining to people that there are bad things out there in the social media world. I think it should be survival of the fittest,” said my friend Dan. “If you are an idiot who broadcasts that information, you should have to learn the hard way. I apologize in advance if i just called you an idiot.”
Agreed.
Most funny to me is the fact that the only people who know about Please Rob Me are the very people using services like Foursquare and Twitter. These people, so trustworthy of their friends and even of strangers, probably wouldn’t ever consider using volunteered information to violate another person.
Hey, if you were a criminal, would you share your location with the world? Then again, I don’t know – I don’t rob people’s houses for a living.
Basically, the very people who are victims of this prank website are the only people perpetuating word of its existence. Yesterday, so many people were tweeting about it that I wanted to throw something at my computer screen. How stupid can you possibly be? If you’re really worried about security, then stop telling everyone about the very tool that might compromise your security!
But no.
We still don’t seem to take it seriously.
The whole thing is so meta that it hurts my head.
I have been known to say that, if someone really wants to find me, then nothing will stop them. My having a social networking account won’t matter to a person determined to find me.
I’m pretty sure that criminals are either A) too savvy and smart to bother with Foursquare updates or B) too desperate to care about Foursquare and are instead robbing the easiest/closest target.
But, all that speculation aside, even in the safest, most perfect world, mystery can be a pleasurable thing.
Yesterday, I wrote about how the Internet can be boring and predictable.
Do you want to become boring and predictable too?
*Yesterday evening, the pleaserobme Twitter account was suspended.
(Photo by rendallren)
Good post! It’s ironic that with all the information we volunteer to Twitter and Foursquare, we’re totally sweating the privacy features on Facebook and Google Buzz.