The positive side of facebook

Social media and facebook in particular has been a part of society for a decade, at least.  Social media is now part of the daily existence for most of us.  The media has become a way for us to share with friends, family and the world parts, if not all of what goes on in our lives and our opinions on everything from politics to what our favorite restaurant is.

Over the years more than a lot has been written about the negatives of social media, with facebook being one of the popular targets.  Everything from people waisting time to airing their "dirty laundry" to the world.  In typical media fashion, little is written about the positive side of social media, including facebook, and yet there is a positive side and in my opinion a big one.

I first joined facebook in 2007, when my daughter was in her first year of university and while I probably spend too much time "browsing", I've also reconnected with childhood friends, classmates and I have made new friends that over time I've had the pleasure of meeting in person.

A former teacher and good friend who "convinced" me to join him on an adventure in Peru.  We reconnected thanks to facebook.

Recently I met someone who I'd been "friends" with since 2010 when we were on the opposite sides of a debate about Harley Davidson Motorcycles shutting down Buel Motorcycles.  For those who spend too much time riding, dreaming and reading motorcycles, you'll understand.  For those who don't, you'll have to imagine it in political terms, only more important.

Anyway, over the years Graham and I have found that we have more than a few things in common besides motorcycles and it was only a matter of time before we'd have the opportunity to meet in person.  The only significant issue was distance as I live in Canada and he's from Australia.  Earlier this year he made a career move to the US and was on holidays in Victoria, a couple of hours from where I live, earlier this week.

It was a pleasure to visit and have some food and drink with someone who I'd only known from cyber space.

Friends finally meet in person.

While the web and cyber space has a dark side and can involve hours of uselessness, it does have a positive side, if you choose to look for it and use it.

Gerald Trees
Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker

Greed, Fear, Curiosity and Scams

My email spam filter picks up at least one "attempt" my email scammers to relieve me of my money each day.  I'm sure most of you find the same thing happening at least once and a while.  These scammers play on three powerful human emotions, Greed, Fear and Curiosity.

In the Greed category the most common attempts either involve winning a bazillion dollars in a lottery that I've never entered or helping a Nigerian businessman set up shop in my country by helping him bring in his gazillion dollars in exchange for a bazillion dollars.  All I need to do to claim my fortune is send money and all my banking information, including password.

In the Fear category, you have the phone call from a Microsoft "technician" telling you that your computer is "infected" and sent them a warning.  Of course they can help you out and fix the problem but they need information to "verify" who you are.  Of course that information involved either banking or credit card information.  There's also a "fee" for their service.  Personally I love to talk to these characters as I own an Apple Mac and they get quite frustrated and occasionally angry when I attempt to convince them that I don't have Windows.  Waisting their time is the best best payback.

Another Fear related one involves a phone call or email from your countries tax agency telling you that either you or your legal representative must call immediately or they will begin some form of legal action.   In this case you own taxes and must pay immediately to avoid legal action.

Both of the above are happening more all the time as they have a good chance of success.  The typical person really doesn't understand how computers and the net work and have a fear of being "hacked".  Most of us also have a fear of the "Tax Man" the legal system and will do almost anything to avoid both.

In the Curiosity category, which is relatively new as scams go, you'll receive an email informing you that FedEx or UPS attempted to deliver a package and that it will be sent back unless you set up a delivery time.  Information on your package can be found in the attachment included in the email.  Well you have a package and it's a mystery because you weren't expecting a package so the urge to click on the attachment to find out what it is strong.  Unfortunately the attachment is usually a malicious program designed to take your computer "hostage", including all you data, and it will be released for a fee.  Simple, subtle and unfortunately effective.

One of my favorite scams actually happened to me this week.  At least the attempt was made.  I recently listed one of my motorcycles for sale on a Canada wide listing website and the next morning I received a text form someone wondering if it was still available.  They wanted to buy it "immediately" if it still was and the included their email.  Red Flag #1.

I noticed the area code of the text was unfamiliar and a quick search indicated that it likely originated from the Boston area, a different country and on the other side of the continent.  Red Flag #2.

I did reply to his email address and told him my motorcycle was still available and that I was aware he wasn't from British Columbia.  He replied with an offer that was $800.00 more then what I was asking and that one of his "agents" would be arranging shipping and payment. Red Flag #3.

In this type of scam, the offer of more money is the "hook" and if you take the hook you'll either lose your item or be asked to pay for shipping up front and what you pay will be added to the sale price of the item.  Either way you'll lose something.  My reply to his offer was "That's an interesting offer.  I'm surprised you've not been able to find a similar motorcycle near you for a similar price."  So far I've not received another email.

I still have it and my money.  By the way it's still for sale...

The "moral" here is to be curious about everything and avoid giving in to Greed, Fear and in the case of Curiosity be aware and avoid being "played".

Gerald Trees
Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker

"Perfect" Kills Adventure - And Other Things

Wanting things to be "Perfect" is really a fear of failing. 

You can either play it safe and do nothing...

or take a chance and find something unexpected.

A few years ago I asked a friend if they could go anywhere they wished for a vacation and do anything they wanted, where would it be and what would they do?

My friend gave me an answer that went something like this.  "I'm unable to answer that because I need to know what the weather would be, how much it would cost and if the activities I want to do are even available when I'm there."

So I added another "parameter" to my question in that "Let's assume that the weather would be to your liking, money isn't an issue and what you want to do is available."

My friends response was "you can't guarantee that things will be perfect so why bother."

I one respect my friend was right, if you're trying to find the "perfect" time to do something or waiting for the "perfect" weather to go somewhere or any other stipulations that must be "perfect", I can guarantee that will never happen.

"Perfect" is a concept that kills dreams, plans and adventures.  Our society has drilled into us that there's no point in doing something if something bad may happen or unless there is a guarantee of success.  This has happened because failure in anything is looked on as a bad thing.  This is one BIG reason why so few people achieve the goals and dreams they had when they were young.

Without getting too caught up in issues of society, the best way to break out of the need for something to be "perfect" is to simply get on with it.  Pick something you want to do, something you want to learn or some place you want to go and do it!

• Start - make a basic plan and get going.
• You will have setbacks - learn from them.
• You may have to "sacrifice" to make it happen - it'll be worth it.
• Your plan may have to be altered along the way - that's were the real fun takes place.
• At the end you'll feel a great sense of accomplishment - the unexpected is better then perfection.

Forget "Perfect" and get on with life!

Plans that take an unexpected change of direction are often the most memorable

Gerald Trees
Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker