Path Finder

To get cash from an ATM machine I need my preset code. First I choose the English or Spanish option,if in Boston, then I log in the numerical code, follow the directions and hope for the best.

To read my emails, personal, business and fun I need a user name and a password. To post this note I would need another password. To make my airline reservations on Worldspan I need a new password every month, and to report the tickets a new password every quarter. And then come other passwords for UTube, Facebook, Yahoo chess, PayPal, American Express on line, Bank of Boston account, Chase pay by mail,Amazon, Ebay...

But when I call Bloomingdales to place a catalogue order, I just have to say my name and they already know everything - from the zip code to the bra size...So does Amazon who sends emails suggesting the books and movies that I should not miss this month...And that Nigerian finacier who invites me to spend his millions...And the Viagra expert who advises on penis enlargements..

Really, I think the passwords protect only US from our OWN world - that otherwise is common knowledge to everybody else.