A Simple Way to Protect Your Privacy

Years ago, someone who was not a friend and whom we had no interest in inviting into our home stood outside the gate while our dog -- who apparently knew our feelings -- kept them there. Hearing the ruckus, we went outside, quickly addressed the matter at hand, and sent the person on his way. Everything was done politely, but the point was made: our home is a refuge, and we do not open it to strangers who are not interested in being friends.

Even in today's strange society, this way of thinking makes sense to most. I mean, who wants their boss borrowing their hair brush, or some government official poking through the bookshelves, commenting upon our reading tastes?

And yet, people invite strangers into their homes all the time. If you own a TV and watch the news, or if you scroll through the phone and follow the latest, greatest updates on what experts say about your health, or if you willingly answer all the fun fun quizzes on social media, you're letting strangers into your home. And they dominate the conversation: when you comment to the face on the screen that they're lying, do they stop in surprise and say, "Oh, I'm sorry. Tell me your side of the story"?

Didn't think so.

Our personal choice is to not own a TV and to spend more time reading books than scrolling through our phones. That sounds radical to many. But here's the thing to think about: if, at the end of the day of watching shows and listening to the news and checking up on our Influencer of choice and reading the latest mandate from our various emperors we feel tired, discouraged, helpless, hopeless, overwhelmed, inert, fearful, and anxious, what have we gained by these digital relationships?

When their words and attitudes exert a strong influence on how we think, feel, and believe, then they have invaded our privacy. And we have invited them to do so.

So, one simple way to protect your privacy is to let the dog out, and keep the strangers at the gate. Don't invite them in.