I have recently signed up to Branchout a Facebook application that is in essence a new take on Linked In. I signed up because I felt I should – it’s take up has been rapid – and because Linked In has been an essential tool for me for years. I guess I am worried I might miss out if I don’t join. But it has made me feel uncomfortable. To date I have tried to compartmentalise my on-line life. Linked In is essentially my Professional realm, Facebook is for friends, Foursquare a mix, Twitter: I have two different accounts, I game via platforms such as Empire Avenue and there are countless other platforms I comment on and/or rant to!
It is exhausting keeping so many compartmentalised worlds! Moreover the whole thing can’t possibly be sustainable. As my good friend Tony Fish (my online Soothsayer) warns our Digital Footprint is so vulnerable and ultimately uncontrollable anyway, but he might take umbrage to such a flippant summary of his view. My Facebook security is only as good as the security my Facebook connections apply and I cannot stop someone from tagging me for example and I certainly can’t stop every security oversight such as a friend forgetting to log off from a shared computer in a Cafe or whatever.
Add to this, as a friend pointed out to me today, there are some conversations and or views we hold that we would never wish to see online. The problem is of course that we cannot be certain that present company can be relied on not to voraciously blog our inflammatory views or comments!
This leads me to believe that the only answer is to be fully Authentic online. No more “Facebook Tim”, “Linked In Tim” and so forth, just Tim. So while I do not expect to be boring my Linked In network with my review of The Vaccines gig or School Reunion photos nor do I propose discussing a Core Networks with my family, I do not think there is any place for a view and/or comment that I could not comfortably share with any Network. If I don’t choose such a position the internet will choose it for me in time anyway.
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