On Openness

I think a lot about the sheer amount of personal information I put on the internet. The first time it really hit me was in 2004, when I launched a boycott of the Sinclair Broadcast Group advertisers. Posters at FreeRepublic quickly began making threats, and soon my phone number and home address were posted. Suffice it to say, that night I was glad to have a good security system.

Last week I had the nerve to post some pictures I took at a trade show about the Sigma DP1 camera, and the "Sworn Defenders of Sigma Corporation", otherwise known as the posters at the Sigma DPReview forum were also able to "dig up" things like my Amazon Wish List ("....it figures, look at the books he wants to read.") and a list of the camera equipment I own ("...what an easy target for a thief."). I can't imagine these people being anywhere near as dangerous as the nuts at Free Republic, but it still made me think about all the places I publicly put information online.

I've been asked about whether I'm worried for my kids' safety after I put their pictures online. I have thought about it a lot, and I decided that since I really do not believe in living in fear, and I know that the risk is slim, I can't let it bother me.

However, I know our media environment, and I know the reality of what would happen should something happen. I know I wouldn't come out so well. But who cares? I can't worry about what they would do.

The other real risk is letting the world know who you are. I've had friends ask about the potential of diminished job prospects. But I see that much differently. If a potential client or employer is someone who would like me less because of my political opinion, movie-star looks :), the fact that I sometimes use emoticons, my music taste, poor writing skills, or anything else, then I want them to do that up front. I highly suspect at least 2 instances of lost work due to my obvious opinions. But I left the corporate world so I could be more choosy about with whom I work. I seek to be filtered because it almost guarantees that I'll get along with the person (although I don't believe that anyone should be allowed to discriminate on the basis of a protected category, especially race, gender and sexual orientation). I've been fortunate to have an abundance of work. I lost some opportunities, but I gained better ones, with better people.

And the best thing, is that if we make it another 100 years, maybe I can connect with one of my great-great-great grandchildren. I've been scanning all of my parents' and grandparents' photos, and I really feel more connected when I look at those people, alive only through some tangible object left behind. But a photograph isn't enough. I would love to be able to read about how these people thought or lived - what made them mad, what was funny. Tumblr blog provides all of your online activities in a single stream, and I would love to be able to archive my stream (like Swiss Picture Bank is doing with photos - 30 or 99 years guaranteed storage).

So it's good to see that like-minded people, rewarding this vision. We're charting the waters as we go, but at least we're not alone.