Privacy, Handles and Social
March 23rd, 2010 (Culture, Tech)
Remember back about 15 years ago when everybody’s online identity was private? Having a handle was the cool thing to do. The first handle I remember having was spam444. This was before spam was widely used as a term for junk email. I just thought it was a cool word because of its use in Monty Python and its utility as the perfect camping food. I used this handle mostly for AIM and IRC chat. A couple of years later, I moved to using the handle cron57, which is still in use today as one of my email addresses.
One of my favorite lines from the movie Hackers is when Joey says, “I need a handle, man. I don’t have an identity until I have a handle.” I think in the hacker and cracker communities (as well as online forums), individual’s identities are still wrapped up in their handle. However, over the last decade there has been a movement in the general population (especially among creative and self-employed professionals) nurture an online identity that reflects an individual’s true identity (or a portion thereof).
For instance, I own the domain stevezeidner.com, my Twitter username is @stevezeidner and my Facebook page can be found at http://www.facebook.com/stevezeidner.
I remember a lot of talk in the past about how important personal privacy is. However, reality has shown us that there are benefits to giving up some privacy. The large benefit that people have noticed recently is social on the web. It’s so easy now to stay in touch with acquaintances, collaborate on a project and keep a central address book. The problem now is that social media has turned into a bunch of disparate systems. Every popular social platform is a closed system with separate “namespacing” and logins. The login issue is one I think we will always have to deal with. The namespacing problem however is a much larger issue – it is already tough to namespace based on your given name if it is fairly common. We need some sort of “domain” separation (like email or jabber). Maybe it is time for another bearhug?
Anyway, what are your thoughts on the topic? Do you think giving up some privacy is worth the benefits gained? What do you think should be done about the namespacing issue?
It is a testimony to your honest and legal lifestyle that you don’t have a problem with putting your name out there. I think that a lot of HS and College kids don’t think about the repercussions of posting their names along with pictures of themselves acting like idiots, or, worse, doing illegal things. Yes, there has been a movement to stop ‘hiding’ behind a handle, but unfortunately, many don’t seem to be able to handle their own PR.
Well said, Sarah.
Sarah writes a good response; I, however got sidetracked by the “bearhug”—the terminology used in technical innovations cracks me up. When I clicked on this term, I (truly) expected a feel good pic of a bear with open arms to appear. I think I understood the application in the article—but I like person to person app better:)
I like the way you open up subjects for people to respond to—too bad you won’t get anything helpful from your mother…
I think bearhug has only been used in a few special circumstances. I agree, it’s a funny term, but it kinda makes sense.
I don’t think giving out your name is a subject of privacy. I agree with what Sarah said and also think that if you live an honest life, there are no repercussions for setting your name as public.
On a side note, it seems that each application does have privacy settings, so people can publicly search your name, but cannot access your content until requesting approval. I think because of this, in particular, there is nothing to fear by going by your common name.