Having had some time to refelect, as one does when the elements have you sitting in the dark after pulling every electrical item of value out of the wall, I have come to the conclusion that terms and conditions of use are a bit of a wank. Yes, that is a technical term, much like thing, whatsit, and doohicky.
I had no great interest in starting a blog, and had successfully resisted the pressure of my friends, who were very vocal in their support of starting my own cooking blog, (at last check there were some 45,800,000 cooking blogs according to google). Don't even get me started on twitter. Yes, I am aware that we will have to do it as part of the course work, but nowhere does it have to say that I have to like it.
Anyway, I did look at a few sites, but went with blogger as the most simple. I even made a point of reading the terms and conditions, twice. It is as if we have become programmed to not absorb anything that is preceded by the heading "Terms and Conditions." Even after reading it twice I still have no idea what it said. With that said I don't think this is something that we can blame on the internet.
For years people have been signing paperwork with only the vaguest idea of what they are agreeing to. How many people have signed for a loan and not understood how interest works, or all the fees and possible extra charges? What does your car insurance really cover? Does removing that tag off your matress void your warranty? How much information does you phone or internet provider really collect on you? My point, I guess, is that even if we are given all the information there is no guarentee that we will understand/retain it, or that it will have any impact on our decision.
So that was my epiphany. Well, that and trying to dry a wet cat with sharp claws is not for the faint hearted.
I would suggest using a towel instead.
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