When does the Internet become Stalking?

[RandomizeMeTV]

is it stalking if i get mad when you don't make new vids? hahahahaha

[nowthenwheresmetabs]

you should check out LarryAdmin on youtube. He also goes by the name of Dixoft Remix, owns a server (the Bruces quake 3), him and his fellow nerds, oops buddies hack and follow you around the internet. Creepy cunts of the highest standard. Never ever play on that server if you don't want a creepy fucker like him following you about. I don't even want to know the fuckers, that's what creeps me out.

[RavishingRedheadd]

i like the lights in your backround

[tattooskin72]

I do have a habit of commenting on a lot of different people's videos. I just view it as interest in what these people are saying in their videos. Most often I'll just say "great video as usual" or something along those lines. I like to be encouraging to people that I think put out good work. Is that stalking if I am doing it on all or most of their videos? Guess it depends on how comfortable those people are.

[johnofjordan]

If you're making something available for the general public, and the general public consumes it... that can't really be considered 'stalking.' Infact it confuses and amuses that some people spend half their time promoting the crap out of their exploits and the other half worrying that people might actually be paying attention.

[snarkdetriomphe]

I think in the non-psycho sense of the word it would be "monitor" - something i have given into temptation and done and certainly is done to me on a regular basis by both friend and enemy. This would include wondering where a friend is who appears offline on an IM so you come to YT to see time of last log in. Among friend this becomes problematic because someone will always feel slighted if you don't feel like chatting but are in another entertainment site. [see next]

[snarkdetriomphe]

[oops YT messed up, thought my first didnt post but it did so i deleted the double]

I have come to dislike the ability people have of "tracking" me, so i have most of my stuff in invisible mode any chance i get. I liken it to having an answering machine - i want the right to screen my calls without hurt feelings and i want the right to socialize or just kick back and surf the net without chitchatting. As far as you "stalking" someone unintentionally - you have to look at it honestly [next]

[snarkdetriomphe]

and decide if you are in fact being a little to voyeury about someone/some people and even if its innocent, curb your temptation. but most importantly, if you are simply ascertaining whereabouts or need to reach someone thats fine, but if you find them and they obviously want to be off doing other things, you need to give them space and not get all butthurt. There's my two cents hehe.

[ObviouslyBenHughes]

That all makes a lot of sense as well...

I've noticed that there's certain people on the web who I like to follow and read their updates/blog posts, and they're the kinds of people that they don't post something unless it's noteworthy. These, naturally, make me want to respond to them, but sometimes I have to hold back and NOT comment so that they don't think I'm monitoring their every movement on the web.

I like the idea of the message machine, and though I don't really care about others...

[ObviouslyBenHughes]

tracking my movements much (because there's honestly not too many peope who do... yet), I have to respect their right to their privacy. I, just yesterday, had to hold back from commenting on someone's Facebook status because they were having an out and out fight with one of their IRL friends there.

So, should we draw the line there? Should we not cross in to their realm of IRL friends until we actually meet them in that manner? Or, would you say that since it's online then it's fair game?

[snarkdetriomphe]

depends on if the fight is personal or an internet/facebook related fight. but my instinct would be to stay out of anyone's fight, internet or real life if at all possible. there is a lot to be said for the argument of gateofsunrise though - if you are on facebook and twitter and all the rest, you have relinquishd your right to squawk when people want to contact you.

[ObviouslyBenHughes]

Yeah, but I don't mind that. If I wanted to I could set all of my things to private, as you have, and keep a safe distance (which, I know for you, is more about being safe so people don't come to your house and such) but it doesn't quite bother me enough... yet.

I guess the conclusion I would draw is that if they're on all ofthese networks, it's OK to add them, just don't go way overboard and comment every little thing they do - no?

[snarkdetriomphe]

again, you bring up an interesting and hard-to-gauge question, because in my now vast experience with the wide variety of people who frequent the interwebs, i have learned that there are narcissists who would welcome your every attention and shy social anxiety folks who can only relate online and then everything in between those two extremes - and it takes getting to know someone to see where they fall.

[snarkdetriomphe]

PS: beware the narcissists.

[ObviouslyBenHughes]

Thanks for all of your input, Snark. It was really helpful in hashing out the answer for me. And welcome back to YT... or what's left of it...

[gateofsunrise]

I sincerely apologize to you. I apparently did misunderstand you. I still stand by what I said about those who wish to express and disclose their lives to public view using the internet , and then YouTube or other means of communication. No one held a gun to anyone's head and forced them to do these things for public or private notice of themselves or their lives.

[ObviouslyBenHughes]

That's certainly OK - after watching the video back again I realized that I took the wrong approach when i made it and should have just talked about others...

I wholeheartedly agree with you that no one is being forced (hopefully) to make content on the web, especially in social media. I'm certainly not. But Even though they're putting themselves out there, should they be allowed some level of restriction against people who comment/follow everything? Or perhaps are those people just trying to...

[ObviouslyBenHughes]

...(continued) be friendly and reciprocate the feedback that they get on their own things in the form of comments on other people's work?

Sorry if that was a confusing thought process :D

[gateofsunrise]

I myself do not comment on everything I read or listen to. However, I really enjoy YouTube (and twitter somewhat). No, I think restriction is useless when a person goes public about their lives. However, no one should ever stalk anyone physically. The internet connects us all, and it is nice when people look at or hear what we have to say about ourselves or our interests. It is a compliment when someone takes the time to say something to us about us, (good or bad), they took the time to do it.

[spwr140]

im stalking you right now....stalk......stalk...stal­k....lol

[ObviouslyBenHughes]

LOL creepo! :D

[gateofsunrise]

This video makes me laugh. What the heck are you talking about? YOU choose to put your life on the internet,thus inviting people to walk through it with you. Stalking? Get off the internet, your problems are solved. This has to be the worst video I've seen so far on YouTube.

[ObviouslyBenHughes]

wow. you obviously misunderstood. I'm coming from the point of view where I know people online and connect with them on every network they belong to. thus, I see everything they do, and I'm wondering how long I can go on like that before they think I'm a stalker. Which I'm not.

Now what do you say?

[robertpina99]

Those who establish themselves as Internet sensations or try to generate a lot of buzz about themselves often attract an audience. Generally, if you don't like the outcome, don't do it. Stalking is harassing or threatening behavior such as a person appearing at your home or work, phone calls, leaving letters or objects and vandalizing your property and should be reported immediately. Everything else is the outcome of telling folks how great you are and them believing it.

[ObviouslyBenHughes]

Though all of that is true, let's suppose I'm talking about those who are your friends/acquaintances IRL, and they're also active online. If they belong to all of the networks you do, why shouldn't you add them as contacts on there? That's what it's all for, no? And if they're just generating content, whether it's directed to you or not, and you comment on (most of) it, is that stalking?

[robertpina99]

The answer would be no. I have the feeling someone called you a stalker, and your greatest fear is that you are one. You're just having fun just as all the rest of us.

[ObviouslyBenHughes]

No, not yet. I'm just asking arund to make sure I don't overstep any boundaries with a certain bunch of friends (unrelated ones) and don't make them think I'm a craaaaazy!

shh... don't tell them that I really AM a craaaaaazy. That would be bad. :D

[ObviouslyBenHughes]

actually no, not yet. just making i don't overstep any bounds with a certain bunch of people (all unrelated to each other) and don't make them think im a craaaaazy person.

[PlasmaDude47]

Hard question for me to answer Ben since I don't follow anyone on twitter or the other networks, just youtube. But I'd say it's possible to virtual stalk someone, if they constantly respond to your every tweet (or whatever it's called) and/or follow you on every network you're on, I supposed that could be considered stalking, I really dunno.

[ObviouslyBenHughes]

I would have to agree. If you're commening on every little thing, where does the line between friendship and replying to their content blur with stalking and being obsessed with their actions online?

[PlasmaDude47]

I hope by replying I'm not stalking you, lol! But you're right:)

[ObviouslyBenHughes]

HA!

Not at all... you creep :D

[PlasmaDude47]

LMFAO! Of course, you know you'll pay for that, haha!!!!

[ObviouslyBenHughes]

damn... oh well. I know where you slee... uh, broadcast!

[PlasmaDude47]

HAHA, does this mean we are stalking each other?

[ObviouslyBenHughes]

quite possibly... oh no!

[PlasmaDude47]

Lol, you know I think I'll feature this video next on my channel:)

[ObviouslyBenHughes]

GASPSHOCKSURPRISEWHAT!?

That would be very nice :]

[PlasmaDude47]

LMFAO! Ben you are so cool, and you're welcome:)