Thread by @brosandprose

I wrote a massive essay about @roseybeeme's plane couple thread, leaving strangers alone, and the erosion of the divide between public figures and private citizens, someone stop me

The story of the live-tweeted plane couple (#CatchingFlightsANDFeelings) infuriated me. Here's my analysis of how social media's erosion of the divide between public figures and private citizens is now complete.

WE ARE ALL PUBLIC FIGURES NOW: bit.ly/2MUC0eD

I can't believe "leave strangers alone" is a hot take in 2018, but here we are.

A surprising amount of people think the plane couple thread was didn't violate anyone's privacy because Rosey Blair didn't include their names and scratched out their faces. But it's a compelling question: Are only our faces private? What about our conversations? Our bodies?

I don't know what the answer is, but it's a question we don't want to answer when it means turning a critical eye to some of our favorite memes and Instagram accounts. Is the account of photos of hot men reading books on the NYC subway system a violation of privacy too?

Is something only a violation of privacy if it's negative? Who is to say if a violation of privacy is complimentary or not when it's objectifying, sexualizing or reveals personal information? It's worth thinking through actively.

Most of us would agree that it's immoral to take a photograph up a woman's skirt, even if she's in public. It's immoral to take a photograph of someone working out at the gym and mock their appearance. But beyond clear cut cases, we avoid the conversation altogether.

When BuzzFeed walks back a story they aggressively aggregated 👀

You can now find a shortened version of my essay about how we're all becoming public figures on @voxdotcom!

https://twitter.com/voxdotcom/status/1016731288500428801

The woman who had her privacy violated by #PlaneBae has released a statement. I hope you all enjoyed yourselves. Let this be a lesson in leaving strangers alone on airplanes AND online. You are not entitled to the lives of others. businessinsider.com/planebae-saga-…

As a result of Rosey Blair's thread, this woman has been stalked, both digitally and in person. She's had her personal information published online. She's been shamed for perceived sexual indiscretions.

Consent is vital in every single aspect of our lives.

My heart breaks for this woman and I hope that she is able to regain her privacy. I can only imagine the ordeal she's been through.