Lately, I’ve been violating Rule #8 of My Photography Truths by visiting various photography fora (or forums, if you prefer).

It all started innocently enough when I wanted to find out what a specific individual, whom I respected, was up to.

It turns out, he’s dead.

In actuality, he died two years ago.

I was taken aback when my journey through the e-landscape led me to this.

And yet, there were all his previous posts.  His thoughts remained for all to see, each word shimmering on the bright computer screen before me, as if the ghost had never left the machine.

As I continued visiting other fora, it turned out a few other people had transitioned from the ethernet to the ethereal.

Of course, none of this should surprise me.  People died before the internet too.

But, many of us now leave an electronic trail that is paved with our most intimate thoughts, images.  People who have never met us will — in some very real way — get to know us… even after we’re long gone.

In the past, only authors, songwriters, politicians, or otherwise “famous” people left imprints that could reach beyond the consciousness of their loved ones.

Now, potentially all of us may be mourned by, well, all of us.

Or immortalized.

(provided we lay low and don’t post anything after we’re gone)

—Peter.