I've always wanted to start a blog but none of my stillborn attempts have survived past their inaugural post. Anyone whose talked with me knows that it's not for a lack or opinions and classmates who witnessed my loud participation during grade school debates knows that it's not a lack of self-confidence either.

My current theory why I've failed to maintain a steady blog presence is what I call the "Facebook effect". As this generation callously reveals personal details to the unforgetting and unforgiving internet, we compromise Father Time's ability to erase "youthful indiscretions". Our children and grandchildren will be aghast when their find out our likes in music, fashion, and sports archived forever.

More interestingly, there has yet to be a politician whose teenage years coincided with the advent of Facebook. The American people have long expected a shiny veneer on their politicians and campaigns have been willing to lie, spinning their candidate's history to demonstrate perfect judgement and character. While this charade can last when their childhoods are clouded by time, the next generation of politicians will not have this luxury. Currently, only the top leadership is subject to the intense press vetting that brings long-closeted skeletons to light, such as George Bush's report cards and marijuana usage. However, the internet makes such inquiries much easier for future reporters.

My guess is that underage drinking will be the most prominently featured item. A common theme in conversations with other students here at Sciences Po is how prudish America is about public affection and alcohol consumption in comparison to the rest of the world (sans The Middle East). As most college students are in violation of drinking regulations and open post party photos, this is probably the easiest to exploit. This has already been used by some corporations in their hiring processes.

In light of how savvy politicians have been forgiven for adultery, corruption, and other dalliances, perhaps this fear is overstated. In this arena, I foresee two possibilities: First, the political mudslinging happens at more levels than just the presidential election and second, that the populace tires so much of it that they become more forgiving about it and allow politicians to be transparent about their failings rather then avoiding them.

However, I can't seem the dodge the feeling that everything that I do online is recorded and forever subject to scrutiny. While it takes an enormous ego to believe that a reporter or historian would be interested in scrutinizing my writings, it still has a paralyzing effect to think that my unborn children, unmet business partners, and future friends could all be reading.

I do believe that revealing my thoughts about life will led to critique, mockery, and correction in both present and future times, but I begin in hopes that having to honest with myself and others will make me a better person.