I wonder if it's generational. I see a lot of younger people (for me this means under 30) display a LOT (and often really, a LOT) of themselves in public via blogs, MySpace, Facebook, etc., but then not want to be judged by others, their employers, girfriends, by what is publicly on display via Google search. Edit: by no means am I painting everyone under 30 with this brush, it's just mostly where I see the behavior manifest. - Robert Seidman

Robert - it must feel like all you have to worry about is your friends reading things. Maybe the isolation of sitting at your computer. But your stuff gets out there for all to see, doesn't it? - Hutch Carpenter

Some of this is generational. Sure, there's a Big Brother aspect to all of this. OTOH, Comcast is trying to being proactive, which is a remarkable shift for a semi-regulated utility provider. BTW, I am a Comcast subscriber by proxy, thanks to Slingbox. How else can I watch the Mets and the Devils in Honolulu? - Bill Sodeman

Totally see where you are coming from but can also see how the guy would be startled initially. I think what Comcast and others are doing is exactly what they need to be doing but think of how radical a shift in what we are used to that is. We aren't used to large companies engaging on such an interpersonal level. I know that people around me are able to listen to a conversation I am having with a friend on the street but I would still prob be caught off guard if someone walking by turned around and engaged - Marco(aureliusmaximus)

I think this new campaign I've been seeing about kids watching what they post on the net is right on point. It seems like there are people out there that think they can do whatever they want online and nobody will know. They are confused. - Rah-PM 2012

Hutch, if it can be Googled it's out there, for sure. But I believe many think "so, why does that give you the right?" I don't understand the concept either. Bill, you could get the MLB extra innings package, but I like your approach *much* better! ;-) - Robert Seidman

Marco, I'm a full 180 from that. I'd be startled, but in a good, "damn, I can't believe they reached out like that, awesome!" way. - Robert Seidman

I'm really glad this conversation is going on here. @leolaporte has had @comcastcares on his show(s). I really like that level of personal thinking. Frank Eliason took it upon himself to do this, should be applauded for leading the way. - michael sean wright

I'm glad Comcast reaches out like that. When I mentioned Comcast on Twitter, I did so fully expecting a response. - richrecruiter

@comcastcares has helpedme out a few times in the past - I was surprised at first, but mostly because comcast never cared much before - Frederic

They SHOULD be watching. I keep hoping Q-Link will see my whining and send a champagne Pegasus next week, before I give up and start looking for a motorcycle. - MiniMage, enterRUPPted from NoiseRiver

Personally, I'm hoping this is a sign of things to come. I mean, why else are we going to the trouble of putting so much of ourselves out here if not to connect with others, including--hell, ESPECIALLY--the people we have to do business with? Comcast and most telecoms won't be getting any Christmas cards from me anytime soon, but I've got to say, I'm strongly inclined to look more favorably on those who at least pretend to understand how we live our digital lives. - Derrick Burns

I pretty much echo the sentiment everyone else has. Kudos for Comcast for listening and using social media to do so. More companies to need step up and follow in Comcast's footsteps. - Mike Fruchter

I think Marco's got a good point. I initially would be surprised. I'd share that with the blogger. But my next thought wouldn't be "big brother". It'd be, "cool, these guys listen." - Hutch Carpenter

It does touch on what will continue to be a growing issue as more of us put more of our thoughts out "there" - right now people (including me) are just not used to thinking about the amount of information we are making available about ourselves - most people are ok with their surfing habits etc being tracked and aggregated because they dont think about it - overt actions like these are a very real reminder and there will def be a backlash if companies aren't careful - Marco(aureliusmaximus)

Marco - good distinction between overt actions, like emailing someone who posted about you, and "under your radar" actions, serving up ads based on your browsing history. Both are forms of tracking, and the under the radar actions are more big brother-ish than the direct interaction of a company like Comcast. - Hutch Carpenter

They want to know if you admit to using BT or stuff like that they can use in court against you. - Ernie Oporto

Even if I talk about using BT openly online: A) That doesn't mean I have downloaded anything illegal B) Even if I say I have, can they prove it? :) - Rah-PM 2012