by Ben Johnson
With millions of people walking the streets every day, strangers that you have never met doing what they like and with no concern for you, it’s an easy thing to feel like your small actions don’t make a difference. Well, let me tell you something: what you do as an individual (low/middle class citizen) doesn’t mean squat to this country. Sorry to break it to you like that, but there is little you can do to be heard or be noticed and taken seriously at the same time. But what if you had a bunch a people on your side?
Recent news shed some light on Facebook and how they tried to “quietly” change their “terms of agreement policy.” For those of you who are in the dark on this one, Facebook tried to change their policy hoping no one would really notice or care. The “terms of agreement policy” is the one you see when you first sign up (it’s a link to a long page with small print of their rules and regulations, and by signing up you must agree it). Once you agree, you’re hooked as long as you stay on Facebook.
This may not seem like a big deal, except for the new line they added that stated something along the lines of “Facebook has the right to keep and do anything with your photos, comments, notes, and everything else you have posted on our network FOREVER” (emphasize mine). If you do not think that this statement merits some action or discussion, then don’t waste your time with the rest of this article.
That is a serious change in policy which allows Facebook to do anything with our profile content without having to consent us. Sure we put ourselves out there in the world where we are at risk, but do we really want our privacy invaded?
The fact also remains that Facebook tried to do this with little or no publicity to avoid criticism and retaliation. I myself did not hear the news for several days, and when I did I wanted to do something about it. But before I could give it a second thought, thousands of people had already protested against this new change. The news spread like wildfire and it wasn’t long before Facebook removed the new terms and went back to their original policy.
So why do I bring this up? Yes, we as individuals have little power against the “machines” of this modern day. But in masses, “we the people” still have the power; a voice to be heard, a strength to be reckoned with. If we can remember this, then “we the people” should never feel like we cannot make a difference. If we can turn around a global social network, and cause them to think twice before trying to pull a stunt like that again, think of the other possibilities.
An old Chinese proverb states, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” And Edmund Burke once said, “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” My point is small changes have to occur in order for big ones to happen, and people are a big part of change. I’m not telling you to go out and take on the world. Instead, keep an open heart, an open mind, and be willing to except a higher calling to do good things when you hear the call.