  Lately (okay, for about 5 months) I've been thinking a lot about privacy. We all have different places we draw the privacy line, things we consider private that other people don't. So, I've removed all the names from my blog, seeing as I didn't ask anyone permission to post anything about them. Though it is all completely truthful, so at least I couldn't be sued for libel if it came down to it. Anyone who happens to live in Jecheon and winds up on this site will probably have a good idea of who I am. That's okay, it's my choice to spew my personal life out here for public consumption.
Not that much of the public is reading it. But no one else made the choice to have anything about them written on here, so I will make an effort not to infringe too much on their privacy. I won't post names. But back to thoughts on privacy. Where I consitently draw lines, where I say - this thing is private - these are things that I'm kind of embarrassed or ashamed of. It isn't quite that simplistic, but... For example.
I read romance novels. And I hate hate hate hate sharing that little detail about myself. I don't mind having people know I read science fiction, or fantasy, or erotica, or even man action adverture novels a la Clive Cussler. I'll stick those on my bookshelf next to my copies of Jane Eyre and Kafka's collected works. I'll read them on the bus. But the romance novels, those get shunted to the bottom bottom shelf where it is difficult to see there are even books there, much less what kind of books they are.
They embarrass me therefore they are private. I consider my room private, but only when it is dirty. If it's clean, I don't care who sees it. When its dirty, its private. My body is private. And I harbor some serious feelings of loathing about my body.
Sex is private. Dancing is private - not the shitty nightclub dancing that I can't really do, but completely wild unfettered crazy dancing - curtains closed, lights up and music blasting. Clothing optional. Which is another reason why its private. Going to the bathroom is private. My deepest inner feelings, about myself, my past and present, my failures and flaws and mistakes.
These are all things that are private. What things do most people consider private? Sex. Bodily functions. Bodies. All generally kept confined, in rooms, hidden in clothes.
How many people feel comfortable even talking about their last bowel movement, let alone doing it in front of someone? We all do it. And our heads, our inner life and thoughts are intensely private. It's a lot easier to laugh off someone walking in on you while you're sitting on the toilet, than it is when someone reads your diary. People are more and more worried about the invasion of their privacy. Governments and companies keeping track of websites you visit so they can see if you're dangerous, or a good target for their next mass mailing campaign.
Things you buy on your visa. What you used your airmiles card for. Where you went to school. What your grades were. Who you've slept with. I couldn't care less if I wound up on every corporate mailing list on the planet and the government had a file three feet thick on me.
I'm neither that interesting or important. Most of us aren't. Go ahead and invade my privacy all you want. But remember... turnabout is fair play. 
