[LINK] A bizarre twist on a twist - unreal online persona hi-jacked

[Bernard Robertson-Dunn]

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: brd at iimetro.com.au
web:   www.drbrd.com
web:   www.problemsfirst.com
Blog:  www.problemsfirst.com/blog