A Little Vanity Googling Never Hurt Anyone…Except Me
Every so often–usually when I get stymied on a writing or editing project–I take a break and do a little vanity Googling.
With a name like mine, you’ve gotta be concerned about identity management.
I plug “Julie Schwietert” into Google and wait to see what churns up.
There’s that presentation I did at a women’s studies conference back when I was an undergrad… 10 years ago. Like I needed the reminder that I’m getting older.
There’s a handful of references to my past career as a social worker and creative arts therapist. Was I really the chairperson of the New York Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies? Google says I was; it’s more reliable than my own memory. There’s a press release about an art gallery Francisco and I once had. A mention that I’m on my college’s alumni board, though I’ve never made it to a single meeting. And links to lots of my published work on Matador and elsewhere.
But a recent vanity Googling session produced two surprises: (1) A disclosure, courtesy of The Huffington Post, about how much money I’ve donated to presidential campaigns this year (I’ll save you the Googling and tell you that it was $325, and, if you haven’t figured it out already, it was to Obama’s campaign. If you want my address–which The Huffington Post also kindly disclosed–then you’ll have to click the link above yourself.) and (2) a rather heated–and, if I may say so, not so well-informed–response to an article I wrote on July 4 about why travel (and travel to Cuba, specifically) is the most patriotic act an American can make.
I’ll admit that I’m sensitive to criticism, even when it’s delivered by someone who’s obviously as one-sided, ill-informed, and lacking in experience as “Brian,” who wrote that he would invite me to have a conversation with people who don’t share my own opinion, but “I’m afraid her head would explode.” (Huh?) What I love about the Internet is also what disturbs me: the ease of communication, the democracy of expression, and the permanency of the records it creates… all double-edged swords, to be sure.
Hey, Brian, if you happen to read this, feel free to get in touch. Vanity Googling may hurt my feelings, but a good, thoughtful discussion is always welcome. Don’t worry… my head won’t explode.
What have YOU found in your vanity Googling? (C’mon… you know you do it!) Share your findings below!
Photo: LollyKnit (creative commons)
August 20th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
I’m definitely an advocate for googling once in awhile to make sure whats out there under your name isn’t the result of identity theft, etc.
While “vanity googling”, I found a couple honorable mentions for photo contests entered a long time ago as well as links to some NGOs (non profits) using some of my photography on their websites.
August 20th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Lola-
Yes… I vanity Google Francisco once in awhile, too, and once found out that someone had listed him as having a profession he’s never had! (And it was definitely him- same date of birth, address, etc.) It was impossible, though, to track down the webmaster and get the information deleted.
August 20th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Hi Julie, As a foodie,foods of the world is where I do some googling. Plus finding sponsors for my own cooking show.Also looking into my family’s history and everywhere in between!!
But,I could not agree more on how you expressed what you love about the internet.It’s like the words came out of my mouth with your help*
It is wonderful, The potentials are unlimited online.
Just look I found a great site called Collazo Projests!
Thanks So Much, Chuck
August 20th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Chuck-
Glad you could relate (even if you’re not overly sensitive to the dumb criticism that is sometimes revealed my vaniy Googling, as I am!)
I’m glad you found us, too. And please point me to where we can learn more about you… Francisco is a private chef, so you’d probably have a lot in common!
August 20th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Great,I live in the mountains of Arizona.
I also cook on live t.v. segments in phx. here is a little of what I do. I hope you enjoy!
http://www.azcentral.com/phpAPP/multimedia/flash.php?path=rtmp://azcentral.com/midday/0103chefchuck1pm
August 20th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Hi Julie!
I’ve had my share of negative comments, and it’s never more frustrating than when the person misses the point of what you’re saying. I think it was a beautiful piece, that challenged what Americans have had drummed into them: Cuba is the other, and the other is bad. There was a real humanity to your article. Unfortunately, the ability to leave semi-anonymous comments online has given certain people a bravado they wouldn’t normally have.
I’ve searched for my name, and for a few years I had my maiden name listed as a contact for a communist group. I was at college, went to a talk, apparently filled out some sign in sheet, and then for 10 years later I was the contact at my college for their organization. It was weird.
I also share the same name with the current minister of education in the UK. I have get about 1 email a week from principals asking me to come to their event or help some student. I’ve also gotten emails from a think tank in Washington where a certain PhD has sent me full reports, asking me to review before publication. Oops!
August 20th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Christine- Funny! About a year ago I learned that I’m not the only Julie Schwietert– there’s another one! She lives in Chicago and she’s a hotel manager. I’ve never gotten any e-mails for her though.
August 21st, 2008 at 9:09 am
Hello Julie, I am sorry about the miss understading on my behalf. I am sad that some fearless mind have took my comment negative. Another attack from those that feel they are allways right on. I don’t go down that low road and jump people for there mistakes. I see frustrated people don’t understand or have a grip on the real meaning of human nature.
Chuck
August 21st, 2008 at 11:08 am
Julie…A) Love the photo above B) Can’t wait to read your piece on Cuba. I went to Cuba during Clinton’s administration…when artists, students, athletes, and journalists were allowed visas. So I was legal, but everyone from the locals to other Americans were astonished I went. (One guy at a Toastmaster’s meeting voted against me joining the group because I’d been to Cuba…Can you believe it? And I was there…legally!) So glad I found your blog.
T.
August 21st, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Hi, Traca-
Thanks for visiting & thanks for your comment. I CAN, unfortunately, believe that you got the Toastmasters blackball for visiting Cuba. Anti-Cuba sentiment is so powerful that it is perhaps one of the most effective political and social organizing tools in modern times. Sad but true. Keep coming back to visit!
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:52 am
[...] A Little Vanity Googling Never Hurt Anyone…Except Meand (2) a rather heated–and, if I may say so, not so well-informed–response to an article I wrote on July 4 about why travel (and travel to Cuba, specifically) is the most patriotic act an American can make. … [...]
August 23rd, 2008 at 12:31 pm
I don’t think I’m significant enough in the Blogosphere to merit a google search just yet…my hit counter is usually about 5-6 a week, and most of those are me!
On the other hand, I DO find myself googling other people…college friends, former teachers and conductors, authors I like. Not sure if that makes me curious or a stalker. I’ll go with curious.
August 23rd, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Sarah-
I google other people too. Let’s stick with curious. Sounds a lot better! I’m going over to your blog now. How was school? The hurricane didn’t get you, did it?
August 29th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Interesting thoughts! Google is one reason we do not use our names, as a way to protect our daughter as we travel the world. ( Keeping her safe and stalkers are the other reason as is recommended for kids on the web).
If your name is joe smith it is less of a problem, but if you have an unusual name, it seems like something to take into consideration ( at least with a young child).We thought long and hard about this choice. My child has a very unusual first and last name.
My name has hundreds of pages on google, many of them inaccurate or in languages I can not read.They are mainly from a public career that I had retired from long before google was invented!
One can not help but wonder about the big brother aspects of Google and Facebook and such. Who knows where it will lead or what the best tact is.
August 30th, 2008 at 3:35 am
Soultravelers3:
Thanks for your comments. I understand your choices, and I think that when we’re talking about kids…all bets are off. Personally, I’d hate to think of the effects of Google on today’s 5 year olds 20 years from now: “Joe Bob Smith started going to school at the age of 2 and pooped in his pants too often.”
With a name like mine, though, I’ve just kind of given up.
That’s why I’ve got to Google myself every so often.