On 18/04/2013 12:22 PM, Jan Whitaker wrote: > http://chronicle.com/blogs/profhacker/sharing-and-losing-control-of-an-online-persona/48027 > > I'm not sure I follow all that happened here, but the jumble of what > is real and what isn't or wasn't is an interesting perspective on > what is reality in social media anyway. >
Jan, Rule #1 for any information system (and that includes the human mind) is: Never assume that data in a system reflects reality. Given that rule, then a statement like "a real online persona" is meaningless and therefore so is "an unreal online persona". In the physical world, when "facts" really matter, e.g. in a court of law, there are extensive and convoluted procedures to be followed so that a judge and jury (if there is one) can establish the probability of a correct decision. There is no equivalent in the digital universe and it is arguable that equivalent extensive and convoluted procedures can be developed. There are some environments (commerce and government mainly) where the risks can be reduced, but not eliminated. It all comes down to risk management in an uncertain environment. I'll happily risk a couple of hundred dollars to buy something on-line but I'd think twice about anything that risks thousands of dollars. The great unwashed don't have the same perspective re the risks as I do and gaily assume that the digital universe is as certain as the physical world. Is that their fault? Has anybody really explained these things to them? Would they believe the message? Considering what many people believe about the real world, I somehow doubt it. Maybe that will change. Maybe not. -- Regards brd Bernard Robertson-Dunn Sydney Australia email: [email protected] web: www.drbrd.com web: www.problemsfirst.com Blog: www.problemsfirst.com/blog _______________________________________________ Link mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.anu.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/link
