Why, Why, Why

(Today's word will be in red and bold.)

Those who know me know I have a natural curiosity about almost everything. No matter what it is, if it captures my attention, I want to know more.

Most of the time this means going on the internet, and searching for what I'm looking for; even if it's for no other reason than settling my curiosity.  This usually results in searching for something that leads to something else, then something else again; until I've strayed from the original thing I was looking for, yet still connecting everything in the long run anyway.  The way I've always described it is, it's like pulling a loose string on a sweater.  You start pulling it, and the sweater starts to unravel; the more you pull, the more it's pulling apart. After awhile it becomes more than curiosity; it's also,"how far can I go before I hit a dead end?"

For the most part I can usually find the information I'm looking for on the internet.  For other things though, I either don't have good luck, or it's something that I wouldn't be able to find on the internet.  Sometimes it's something that needs to be asked of a person specifically.  Depending on the subject, I have several people I turn to to satisfy my curiosity; including Earthquake Jake.

To be honest, I think the bulk of my questions go to Jake; sometimes on a daily basis, and more than one at a time.  I'd list here the types of things I ask, but the list would be way too long, so I won't.  Suffice it to say, I think there are times I'm probably worse than a kid asking questions; and I think Jake would agree.

Like I told him though, in a way I'm just getting him prepared for when Declan gets to that age where everything is, "why"?  If Jake can deal with all my questions, I'm sure by the time his son starts asking questions, he'll be well prepared.  Heck, at this point it's a possibility Jake will be over qualified! What can I say; I'm always happy to help, even if it means asking millions of questions!

Unraveling The Internet

I have a natural curiosity that makes me want to find answers to all the questions I have. Doesn't matter what the question is, if there's an answer, I want to know it.

When I was younger it wasn't as easy to get the answers to everything I wanted to know. With the internet however, finding answers can be as easy as a few clicks. For me, it's like pulling a string; you pull to see how far you'll get before it stops. Will you be able to unravel the whole thing, or will a knot get in your way?

It's amazing what you can find on the internet, with just a tiny bit of information to go on. It's also kind of scary.

For myself, as I said, it's the curiosity getting the better of me. I see it as a challenge, of "can I find what I'm looking for"; and if I can, "how much more can I find out"?

Sometimes what I'm looking for is beneficial. I need information to be able to write a blog, or find something at the store, or an address of someone, things like that. Or I'm looking for the same type of information for my mom or dad, or a friend.

Sometimes though, I go looking for things, just to see if I can. This is where the kind of scary part comes in.

In searching the internet, I discovered, totally on accident, just how easy it is to find someone's social security number.

Granted the people are deceased, however, I can't help thinking this is how social security numbers can be stolen. While *I* wouldn't use the information for anything,(other than satisfying my curiosity), I know there are others out there who would, and probably have. For that reason, I would think the Social Security Death Index would be harder to get to than it is.

While I find these things, and start pulling the string to unravel them, I wonder how many others are doing the same thing, for all the wrong reasons. I also can't help but wonder how much information someone could find on the internet, if they actually pay for it.

Everything I've ever found on the internet, I've found for free; I refuse to actually pay for something that may or may not benefit me. I suppose if there was something I actually had to know, for other than curiosity, I *might* spend money; though I seriously doubt it.

That set my mind in motion though, of just how much someone could find out, by actually paying to find it; and what would they use the information for when they had it? It's a question I'll probably never have answered; though it's still in the back of my mind.

My point to this post is that the internet can be a fun place to explore, and kind of scavenger hunt for information. I just feel that there are some things that should be less accessible to the general public.