I caught a few minutes of Mark Zuckerberg’s testimony on Capitol Hill. I found curious that this titan of commerce is somewhat unimpressive to me. Maybe it’s his boyish face and voice, and the veiled petulant stance he took with his questioners. I never used Facebook. I tried for about two minutes – it was too busy and noisy. Not to say that Twitter isn’t a frenetic sphere, but I was able to “get” it.
What amuses me, and worries me, is the data collected on everyone who uses Facebook, and how that information is used. Certainly, it is of great concern, but I am vexed because I found myself tangled in a competitive streak. I wondered: with all this watching, why aren’t they (who are they?) looking at my blog?! According to my analytics, I’m lucky to have a dozen people a day visiting. I know I should return to the “I-don’t-care-that’s-not-why-I-am-writing-it” attitude with which I began. That would be the wiser course of action.
I was helping a 20-year-old with a college transfer essay which prompted her to write about her academic and career goals. She was stumped – blocked. So typically, I related it to my experience and said, “Well, when I was 20 my goal was world domination.” 
I was half-joking and she laughed. Then she looked at me and said, “I can see that.” She just met me! I decided to take it as a compliment, but her comment made me think: what the hell kind of vibe do I give off? To consider that people see you differently than you see yourself was a valuable reality check. Duh!
As I have mentioned, I attended a rigorous rarefied prep school*, which I, for the most part, loved. An acquaintance once said to me that the only thing my school was good for was “breeding competitive little bitches.” 
He was just jealous that he’d never look as cute in the uniform.
I ran into this young lady the next day and thanked her for the insight. She was great and said, “You could definitely beat those old white guys’ asses.” How’s that for a morale boost?
Data collection, big brother, old white guys, whatever…come on people! Read this competitive little bitch’s blog! 
Clare Irwin
*See January 2018 post: “Be True To Your School.”
Hey, you used to write magnificent, but the last few posts have been kinda boring… I miss your super writings. Past few posts are just a bit out of track! come on!
You may be right. Message received and under consideration. Thank you!
Just wanted to say your articles are gratifying. The clearness on your writing is just excellent. Thank you millions and please carry on with the rewarding work.
This guy has something very important to say!
🙂 🙂 🙂 Clare
You are f’ing great girl! I just read a bunch of your posts – from Twitter what you recently promo’ed – the writing is first class baby girl & you just keep on keeping on. And thank you for being original and different and not a victim or an “identifier.” Tho you know, I identify you as brilliant, funny, original, the smartest person in a long while, sleek and legs for days, and one of the last of the red hot intellectuals. Love ya
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