Ben Elton and Privacy

I used to think Ben Elton was great - I loved his anti-Thatcher rants. Time passed and I felt he became a sell-out, and I questioned whether he was just saying that stuff for effect. I found his collaboration with Lloyd-Webber a repulsive idea and the subject in poor taste.

Tonight I heard him on Radio 4 doing a fabulous old-style rant in favour of privacy, and against stuff like Facebook.

Interesting, as I recently received my second invitation to join Facebook. I have joined, but not using my real name. Neil Harding (and a few others) would no doubt call me a paranoid Luddite for this, but the idea of voluntarily entering a load of personal data together with data connecting me with a whole range of people (friends and friends of friends etc) isn't one I relish.

Beyond that, Facebook raises some interesting questions. I contacted the first friend who invited me to join some time ago. I explained that I was now a member, and we could be friends; but there was a problem. She wouldn't be my friend because I hadn't used my real name. It got worse, the friend who introduced me noticed I'd joined a Facebook group called "I want to punch June Sarpong in the f****ing face". He took exception and didn't really want to be associated with anyone who was a member of such a group.

I left that group because I want to continue the Facebook experiment and I don't want to fall out with the one "friend" I have on there; anyone who knows me knows full well I wouldn't punch anyone in the face ever and that I just find June Sarpong annoying (along with a whole list of other celebs including but not limited to Shane Ritchie, Chris Moyles and the late Ned Sherrin).

I haven't decided what I make of this Facebook thing yet - I'm waiting and exploring a bit - but so far, two out of two friends have told me what I have to do to be their friend on it. Doesn't seem a great start so far.