What Is Personal?

The definition of what is personal, and therefore private, has changed with time.

It used to be that your body was personal and private. At various times in history, you dared not show your neck or ankle or bellybutton to anyone and seeing someone else’s in public was scandalous. There was shame in revealing the personal, at least to the wrong person and at the wrong time. To reveal the personal was a reflection on you and your obviously low standards.

Now it is information that is personal and private. Your birth date, your social security number, and your medical records are personal. Your hobbies, interests and recreational activities are personal. Your preferences can be personal. Do you prefer mustard or mayonnaise? That’s personal.

If someone else reveals or accesses your personal information, that’s frowned upon and even dangerous. Otherwise, there seems to be no shame in revealing your personal information these days. People share all kinds of things about themselves, especially on the internet, perhaps in order to “connect” with other people (see Unconnected post, Aug. 28).

People share so much personal information that society has fallen into an informational ennui. You Tweet: Having dinner, but these peppers are giving me terrible gas! No one cares, except maybe your gastroenterologist. No one is even scandalized about the public sharing of such personal information, although someone might yell, “TMI!”

So, if it’s not too personal, please share: What do you consider personal? What is OK to share and what should you keep to yourself?