Living in the age of the computer, all of us are bound to fill out registration form after registration form to sign up for various on-line memberships. One thing that I have noticed in filling out these forms is the advent of the "password strength evaluator". And I don't like it! There are some parts of the "password strength evaluator" that I can buy into. For example, if you make your password 3 characters long, it will be easier to crack than if it is 8 characters long. None of us need to be math majors to figure this out.
What pisses me off is that most "password strength evaluators" require us to use alpha-numeric passwords. For my passwords I create fake words. Some of my old passwords have been "blerfers" and "protten". Honestly, who is going to figure that out?! Yet I type it into box and the "password strength evaluator" automatically spits out at me: Password Strength is Weak. Don't judge me! Who asked for your opinion? Can someone who designs these things create a new version that checks for random letters that are thrown together? I'm sure it can't be that difficult!
http://www.securitystats.com/tools/password.php
I'd like to say I consider much of this website to be bullshit! Do we really need passwords that meet the following requirements: 1.) Alpha-Numeric 2.) Capitalized Letters 3.) Includes Symbols
We all understand that creating secure passwords is important, but this is paranoia to the Nth degree!
This post should start with just a bit of background information. I have spent this summer trying to "find myself". Having recently graduated college in May, I've been looking for a job. I spent a few weeks attempting a sales job but ultimately gave up on it. Other than the attempted foray into sales, the majority of my time has been spent searching for a job. I've spent countless hours networking (or trying to), applying for positions on-line, etc. It's demoralizing and frustrating to fail so consistently! In addition to job searching, I find that living at home has driven me to the brink of pseudo-insanity! Not that I don't appreciate the fam, but spending so much time around the house is extremely boring/tedious. Every day is exactly the same, and it drives me nuts. I don't want to complain and be ungrateful, but it's fair to say that things haven't been going my way lately.
This leads me to my random thought. Today I was at the convenience store picking up milk, and the clerk asked me, "How are you?" Instinctively and robotically, I replied, "Doing well, how about you?" I purchased the milk and left the store, then began to think to myself, "Why did I say that"?! In fact things are the exact opposite; things aren't going well. So why do we always seem to say that we are doing well? Is this an American cultural phenomenon? Is there some reason we wish to conceal our true feelings? Or do we simply get into "speaking habits"?
Personally, I think it's just a habit that we get sucked into. From now on I plan on telling people what I actually think. Consider this scenario:
Clerk "Hello sir, how are you doing?"
Pennini "Terrible, I can't find a fucking job!"
...awkward pause...
"Clerk "I'm sorry to hear that"
Does anyone else find this scenario amusing?! I certainly do!
Now what's wrong with that? Small talk is idle and empty. It's strategic for successful business, but let's be honest. It is not as if the clerk actually cares how I am doing! We are not integral parts of each other's lives, so why should the clerk care how I respond to the question? And conversely, why should I fall into a pattern of only responding that I'm doing well? Is there some reason why I should want this complete stranger to think that I am in a good mood?
Hell, maybe I'd even get a good laugh out of it! Picture someone trying to explain a complex problem in his/her life to a complete stranger who expected him/her to say "I'm doing well, how about you?"
