Socially Acceptable Stalker?

[cool_jeff]

So I was reading a tweet from Matthew and it made me think about how social media has allowed people to become 'socially acceptable stalkers. For example:

Following Matthew home from Gatekeeper Hobbies, Huntoon and Gage, Topeka! - Unacceptable!
Following Matthew on Twitter - Acceptable!

Finding the names of Stephen's kids by going through his trash - Unacceptable!
Finding the names of Stephen's kids by going through the MSP - Acceptable!

Finding out Rodrigo has a girlfriend from the pictures the private detective took - Unacceptable!
Finding out Rodrigo has a girlfriend from his Facebook status - Acceptable!

Learning Rob graduated because you enrolled in all the same classes as he did to make it easier to watch him - Unacceptable! (But legal!)
Learning Rob graduated from Stephen's twitter account - Acceptable!

Learning more about D&D Brian's hobbies by spending the day following him around from store to store - Unacceptable!
Learning more about D&D Brian's hobbies by spending the day trying to track him on Twitter, Facebook, and other forms of Social networking - Impossible!

Obviously I used the examples to give a bit of humour, but what does everyone think? Is the 'socially acceptable' stalker any better than the creepy version? Is it 'healthier' if you only stalk celebrities and not your high school crush? Sure, most people put their information out there for people to find, but does that make it alright to stalk them?

(Also, sorry if any of my examples creeped anyone out, they were only meant light-heartedly)

[Beta Ray Bill Cosby]

All of the aforementioned people have made a choice to allow that level of "stalkeriness" the issue is when you stalk someone who has not made that choice.

[The Mighty King Cobra]

I agree.  In the era of social media, we make certain statements public, and we have control of what we do and don't share...

[schleicher12000]

And you will notice that I attempt to keep my children's name out of the spotlight as much as possible.  There are a few times here and there that I will let it slip (this past weekend, and the episode about names) but other than that, people really need to dig deep to find their names.  So... it all depends on how much you release to the public.  It wasn't until Nerdtacular 2011 that I publicly announced where I work and what I do...

[The Mighty King Cobra]

And there's a clear benefit to people knowing where Gatekeeper Hobbies is located: I.E. additional foot traffic and sales opportunities, whereas my other gigs are pretty much under wraps...

[cool_jeff]

I do completely agree with what you guys have said, but to be fair the Major Spoilers crew are pretty intelligent when it comes to the internet, privacy, and being smart about what you say and do. Some people aren't, and end up saying and doing things online that they shouldn't without even being aware of what they are really doing. Maybe, in those cases, the issue is one of education, that people, usually younger individuals I think, need to be taught about being aware and careful about what they put out there. Saying things to a friend is different than tweeting something, and although that is pretty clear when you think about it, I don't think everyone realizes it unless it is brought up.

I just think a lot about things, this was one of those things, and even though I get nervous about posting on message boards I figured I would give it a try as it was Major Spoilers that got me thinking about it. And I don't feel too silly about posting, so thanks

[Slappy]

Dear Spoilerites,
Please do not follow, kidnap, and force the crew to create a show in your basement in front of an audience of cardboard cut-outs to fulfill your own psychotic dream of greatness.
Thank You,
Slappy 

[Navarre]

The lesson to be learned is one of personal accountability. I am not responsible for what another person chooses to do with the information he or she may know about me. I am responsible for my actions and how much information I choose to provide as well as the venue in which I provide it.

Dear Spoilerites,
Please do not follow, kidnap, and force the crew to create a show in your basement in front of an audience of cardboard cut-outs to fulfill your own psychotic dream of greatness.
Thank You,
Slappy 

Aw, man. This totally ruins the reenactments of In Living Color I had planned. Matthew was going to play Fire Marshall Bill.

[GeorgeDubya]

Dear Spoilerites,
Please do not follow, kidnap, and force the crew to create a show in your basement in front of an audience of cardboard cut-outs to fulfill your own psychotic dream of greatness.
Thank You,
Slappy 

I... you... How did you know?

Now I have to scrap all my plans. Jeez.

[cool_jeff]

Dear Spoilerites,
Please do not follow, kidnap, and force the crew to create a show in your basement in front of an audience of cardboard cut-outs to fulfill your own psychotic dream of greatness.
Thank You,
Slappy 

I... you... How did you know?

Now I have to scrap all my plans. Jeez.

Let's just get a bunch of us together before we do it, call it a "Fan event".. Yeah, that'll work