At 07:38 AM 2/27/2006, Jostein wrote:
Glen,
IMHO, there must be other reasons than paranoia behind this.
It's generally a good idea that someone in the social network knows your
whereabouts. In Norwegian mountains, there's a network of self-service
cottages
for all to use. In every cottage there's a book where you write in who you
are,
and where you're heading next. A lot of people trapped in bad weather have
been
saved that way.
However, a "virtual village" like a Yahoo! group isn't exactly the kind of
forum
for sharing such info, IMHO. At face value, the argument about social security
is only reasonable if the person has no other social network at all, which
seems unlikely if he's able to keep in touch with his models, at least...:-)
The consequence of putting that info in a public place is that someone might
benefit from learning locations and timing, and from knowing the models'
experiences in a particular place.
Either he has a hidden agenda himself, or he's too naïve to see that others
could reap those benefits.
Jostein
Quoting Glen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>:
> Today, the photographer who started the group posted a suggestion that
> everyone who plans to meet someone else for a photo shoot, should post a
> note to that list about the date, location, time, and who they are
meeting.
> I didn't see a good reason for this, and it seemed like a needless
invasion
> of privacy to me. So, I posted this one-word reply:
>
> "Why?"
>
> The answer that came back made me really sad. The photographer who runs
> this Yahoo group actually said that it was in case a model or photographer
> goes missing, the police will have some idea of their whereabouts, and who
> they were with on that particular day and time!
>
> Am I the only one who thinks this is reckless paranoia at work?
It's gotten far, far worse now. After I tried to post a dissenting opinion
to the list about the need for such publicizing of everyone's shooting
schedules, he not only censored and blocked my post with his moderator
powers, but I found out later that I'm no longer subscribed to the group!
He's apparently kicked me out, over one difference of opinion on one issue!
I've gotten no email from him or the list saying that I was kicked out, or
explaining why, but the Yahoo server keeps telling me that I'm not a member
of this private group anymore.
I feel if anything, his suggestion only potentially aids people in
victimizing models or photographers. Let's say you were a photographer on
that list, and you wanted to kill or abduct some model on that same list.
You will look at their shooting schedule, which gives the exact time, day,
and location they are meeting some photographer, and mentions the name of
the photographer as well. A smart criminal would use this information to
stalk their prey, abduct or kill them at that time and location, and guess
who the cops would blame first? That's right! The photographer that the
model had the appointment with, and who was listed in this group's
ever-so-handy scheduling notes. Not only has this made stalking and harming
someone easier for more people, but it also provides a ready scapegoat for
the real criminal to frame for the crime!
I know, some people will say that scenario is unlikely, but the scenario he
is trying to prevent is also unlikely. I also think that mine does make
more sense than his, from the viewpoint of a potential criminal, and is
probably more likely to happen.
In addition to killing or abducting, the information could be used for
stalking or to plan robberies. You know where some nice camera gear is
going to be, if you're in the mood to steal some. More importantly, you
know when two people aren't going to be home, in case you want to loot
their house.
Once again, some people will say that this is unlikely to happen. I would
agree, however I think it does show that this fellow's intention of
protecting people could easily be turned against the people he's trying to
protect. These things could actually happen, just as a model or
photographer could potentially be killed or abducted by the person they had
an appointment with - however unlikely that scenario is. Therefore, his
idea is worse than worthless in my opinion.
The idea that he censors my post, and doesn't allow a group discussion
about it, and then swiftly kicks me out of the group gives me a bad feeling
about him. I also find it hard to believe that this is coming from a fellow
photographer, and not some paranoid mother at a children's playground, who
has listened to one too many horror stories in the tabloids and on 24-hr
cable TV news. I would have expected far better from a photographer, who
should be more enlightened about such issues.
Sorry for the rant, but this has really surprised me, and I just had to
tell someone who might understand my bewilderment.
take care,
Glen
