Let's face it – everything we do is out there, somewhere. Our search histories are in corporate hands. Our Facebook profiles are at the very least scanned daily by our friends (likely some that we haven't seen since grade school!). Emails and blog posts are forever. We can't escape the reality that soon all of our behavior, good and bad, is out there for good.

There's an entire generation growing up now where access to these technologies is as unremarkable as having a conversation. Suddenly what used to be whispered is now posted.

As a result, MySpace, YouTube, and Facebook busts for offline behavior (ranging from drug stings to expulsions for underage drinking at prominent Universities) are obviously here to stay. It seems every MySpace page has a picture of a teen drinking. Every LiveJournal has someone talking about suicide. Companies exist purely to erase these online admissions to save future face. My response: why?

Lately, I've had conversations (or arguments) with people questioning the wisdom of hanging your dirty laundry out to air. Should we use the web as an anonymous shield, never placing our names next to our thoughts or actions? The fear is of future careers, affiliations, and relationships being wiped out by one thoughtless post.

If we want (and respect) corporations that admit to mistakes when they make them, how can we ask for anything else from each other? Honesty is powerful. I'm particularly proud of some things that I have done in my life, ashamed of others. Personally I can do without any group that would reject me for either. I'd rather they knew up front and saved us both the hassle.

Don't get me wrong. I use Facebook, MySpace, and Google to look into new hires. I use it for finding out more about pretty much everyone I meet. I think it's a great way to see into who someone is – and I want that view to be as authentic and honest as possible.

Every person has youthful indiscretions. And adult indiscretions. I have daily ones. As a society, I wish we'd have the maturity to accept these "mistakes" - and realize that we've all made them. How better than making them ubiquitous and permanent. Viva the tech revolution!

At the end of the day, we're all responsible for how much or little we share with each other. My hope is that sharing more, en masse, we'll create something amazing. I think it's an unfortunate scenario that young people could possibly be rejected or channeled in a certain direction based on the fact that they did things previous generations have done since time incarnate (albeit sans camera).

Take the case of political ambition. Should a teen who posted a picture to MySpace of doing jello shots at an underage party in 2007 be eliminated from running for office in 2037? I'd rather have a running tally of who this person really is. Inhale away – if you regret it later, just come out and say it – I'm sure there's a ton of people in 30 years who'll wholeheartedly understand. After all, every politician did the same things, only they're not quite ready to own up to them. I'm talking to you, Bill, Steven, and George.

Does this mean I'm about to post the video of me singing "Dancing Queen"? Nope. But I'd bet we'd all have a laugh if I didn't have to worry about being the only one admitting to having one. Or to the copious shooters it took to produce.