The Post that got removed

So some of you early risers may have noticed a wee post on the blog yesterday morning that isn’t there any more. It got “censored.” Which prompted me to think, in the ensuing discussion, about censorship and the internet and what sort of lines we draw while living our lives out publicly on the internet. (And by publicly, I mean to the dozen or so of you that visit on a regular basis, and all you other occasional stragglers!)

So I put up a little post the night before last about an incident that happened to Steve at work. The professionally inappropriate actions of one of the members of one of the many shows that he’s working on right now, cause me to raise my eyebrows in shock and wonder, and I posted about it right here, avoiding names of people or places. It was just a little “what’s up with that?” to an audience of like minded people, that I knew would also go “what’s up with that?” Then we’d all have a little head shake, ponder momentarily about the crazy lives we lead, and then go on with our days.

Except Steve didn’t like it.

He didn’t feel comfortable with me posting about stuff that happened to him at work, something that he mentioned to me in a phone conversation, perhaps feeling a little agitated about the situation in the heat of the moment. The situation was not exactly as he explained it to me on the phone, or as I posted about it, and it was dealt with quickly when he got to work. It was really no big deal. Except it was a big deal that I wrote about it. I wasn’t asked to erase it, but I did, understanding somewhat why it bothered him.

Steve said what if so-and-so reads it? And I said if so-and-so is going to be such a goofball, maybe he should read it, so he can realize what a goofball he’s being! Steve said he didn’t want to have to worry about censoring his conversations with me, fearing that something he says may inadvertently wind up on the internet, and hurt someone’s feelings. I thought he was over reacting. This is the second time I’ve erased a work related post – the first one also being about a goofball moment on the part of an unnamed director - he didn’t like that one either.

I mean, I kind of understand where he’s coming from. Work being work, home being home. But anybody who’s ever worked in the theatre industry knows that work often follows you home (sometimes figuratively, sometimes literally!) and work and play more often than not go hand in hand.

I try to keep things light and humorous around here, with the occasional digression into rants on Dumb People, and chemicals in soap. I don’t post about really private stuff, I don’t share gossipy rumors, and I am able to keep my mouth shut for as long as needed when people tell me they’re pregnant!! I post things that I think you, the internet, will find entertaining. And I tell myself that it is my choice to post my thoughts here – you have the choice whether you want to read them, or not.

This blog is about our life, here in the country. Griffin, Steve, Dudley, our friends and family are all part of that life. Some days I wish to god that we could just win the lottery so we can sit on our porch drinking Guinness all day and never work again, but that hasn’t happened yet, and thus, our work is a big part of our lives as well. We all lead crazy lives, every family has their quirks, everybody does stupid things. We just happen to be in the sphere of people that post about them on the internet.

But I’m left wondering if I crossed a line…some line that we maybe need to make clear! Obviously if it makes Steve uncomfortable then I’ll try not to let it happen again, but I honestly didn’t think there was anything wrong with what I posted. Like I said, a little shake of the head, perhaps a chuckle from you Theatre Readers, and on with the day. But I’m interested to know what other people think.

If you live "on line," where do you draw the line at how much of your lives goes on the internet, and what stays off it? Do you edit your thoughts with your readership in mind, or don’t give a horses arse who reads it – these are your thoughts. Would you post something entertaining that may be at someone else’s expense – would you alter it if you either knew they were going to read it, or you were certain they wouldn’t? Any other thoughts??