patrick.net

Friends, the Internet can be a fun place. That said, if we surround ourselves with folks whom we perceive to be similar to ourselves in chat rooms or blogs or "tech" cubicle warrens or leafy "middle class" SFH Silicon Valley bedroom communities or Fortress Wall school district boundaries, we can let our guard down.

Being paranoid does not have to mean living in fear. Being paranoid can just be living cautiously, being careful.

Screw this, I'm going to go open up a facebook account and post a bunch of intimate pictures of me and mine doing quasi legal fun stuff. Then ill link it to my twitter and constantly broadcast my wheereabouts. Privacy, shmivacy

Only the Paranoid Survive
-Andy Grove

errc says

Screw this, I'm going to go open up a facebook account and post a bunch of intimate pictures of me and mine doing quasi legal fun stuff. Then ill link it to my twitter and constantly broadcast my wheereabouts. Privacy, shmivacy

Better check with him/her before you do it.

Besides, who cares about intimate photos in the age of full body imaging airport scanners and Kim Karsashian anyway?

Intimate financial information, now that's a different matter.

Remember why Howard Stern dropped out of the NY governor's race? Remember, he shared racey details of his racey life on his broadcasts all the time. But when faced with making disclosure of personal financial information, he dropped out of the "race" and endorsed Pataki.

Who moved my cheese?

I'm sorry a first amendment error occurred please restart your gubbamint.

I think that a fair point has been raised by BACAH. Being a member on internet discussion boards and getting familiar with other users over the course of discussions can be fun, but at the same time one needs to keep in mind that it isn't private communication like actually talking to someone (and even then...). Just because other users may post various details about their finances and/or experiences doesn't mean that you should too. Over time you may get complacent and forget which small seemingly insignificant tidbits were shared, and eventually you may come to realize that those tidbits form a bigger piece of the pie than you would have thought.

So really, erring a little too far onto the side of caution is a better choice than erring a little too far onto the side of openness. This is a forum that is mainly about housing and finance, so of course those topics come up, but people should also remember that privacy is a good thing, too. Just because one CAN speak freely and openly doesn't mean that they should. You are free to walk down the street insulting random strangers, but that doesn't mean that they can't punch you in the face. I mean, they will go to jail, but you'll still be missing teeth. Conversely, you also need to be thoughtful in communication that is intended as innocent, like asking for or giving advice. Outside perspectives on situations can definitely have value and there is nothing wrong with asking for them, but you should keep your own privacy in mind to at least some extent.

Anyway, thanks BACAH for the reminder about e-safety. I have certainly reevaluated my view on forum usage. It looks like P.net still has lessons to offer!