And the examples she used about teachers had to do with things like sharing dating information, photos of the teacher socializing or drinking with friends, religious information, etc. For many people still, teachers are “Teachers” both privately and publicly. danah asked if they are allowed to fully express themselves online publicly without fear of potential school or parental rebuke.

I’m very interested in the point you make about one person(or group of people) gaining, and another losing when certain information is made public. Do you believe clear lines exist in this balance or is everything judged on a case by case basis?

I automatically think of the numerous online registered sex offender databases. This information is made public because society feels it mitigates against potential future harm to the community at large from a group often known to re-offend.

Others argue that an individual who’s been tried, convicted, sentenced and served time in prison like any other criminal, shouldn’t be ostracized after already paying his or her debt to society i.e., it’s unfair to single someone out for what they may or may not do in the future.

I’m of course not defending or equating sex offenders with any of the groups you mentioned, but when do the needs or rights of the many, outweigh the needs or rights of the few or one? Always? (as Spock would say.) Who makes this value judgement in the online world?

Also, not that I’m challenging your point about teachers, but could you explain more or give an example? I was trying to think of one but can’t. Thanks.

Also, in looking at this a few days later, I maybe should have clarified that I’m thinking here about personal presence, not corporate or organizational presence. That’s a completely different bag of worms, with different expectations for participation.

Thanks for your thoughts-
LH

I think the majority of worthwhile, personal endeavors generally go unrecognized. However, many of the people you mentioned do what they do for personal satisfaction without need–or expectations for accolades. In fact, there seems to be an innate sense of humility that drives “quiet types” to act in the first place.

As people rush to claim an online presence and build a personal online brand, it’s easy to confuse quality with quantity. I find bloggers whose material resonates with a small audience in a meaningful or personal way, much more appealing than people who post garbage in massive forums just to get their name out.

A person can come up in a Google search, but this still says very little about creating a meaningful presence. When I Google my name, Peter M Moran, it comes up first because of a book I reviewed on Amazon.com years ago. This is hardly something I point to as a demonstration of personal achievement, as it required little more than an ability to form an opinion and type.

I know your question is rhetorical, but my opinion is that the work and impact are indeed the rewards. I know others disagree, but my opinion has always been to let your quality work speak for itself–in career, family, charitable efforts, etc.