Be careful what you post!

Published on January 18, 2006 By Dr Guy In Blogging

This is actually serious. Kudos to Alison Watkins for bringing it to the forefront. She said her students found her "living space". Or whatever. Inbloom wrote the original article: http://inbloom.joeuser.com/articleComments.asp?AID=98267

This has nothing to do with Inbloom or Alison, both of whom I respect. This has to do with the chairman of the Richmond School Board, and his posting! Steven Johnson decided to have some fun. He is gay, and single, so what the hey!

He posted on a gay web site what he wanted, and would like to do! His mistake? He posted a picture of himself. So "somehotguy" (I actually dont know what his moniker was), was found out by the local rag (not much above The Star). He was embarrassed (I should hope so! He was a SCHOOL board member after all), and he resigned as Chairman. Both I think appropriate for his lack of judgement. Or stupidity.

He is not a bad man, or even a sexual predator. He just let his libido get away with himself on an online site.

JU is such a site. Now, dont jump to any conclusions! I am not saying anyone is letting their libido get away. But I am worried about when your students find your personal thoughts. Or opinions. They may snicker and guffaw, but what do the parents think?

This is just a heads up. As such, the rest of the world does not need to see it. But I hope those like Alison do. And while her discovery by her students is just a joke for now, I hope it does not become more.

Just be careful.

Comments

garsgolfer

on Jan 18, 2006

I agree... for a few reasons.

I mentioned similar views here out of concern a few weeks back and was surprised by the reactionary posts. Some people have grown far to comfortable detailing personal info on the net without regard for prying eyes. Furthermore, in most cases it's done bit by bit, not thinking with time those watching can easily determine a target of opportunity, and their reasoning isn't often the reasons one might think.

Shovelheat

on Jan 18, 2006

Good article. I posted one in a similar vein a while back Link
about posting pictures of kids here. My wife works in a bank and it is a HUGE no-no for her to put pictures of family where the public can see them. For obvious reasons I think- what's the best way to hold something over someone's head to "get" something from them? Their children of course. It's a good thing to be a little vague...

A good article and I commend you for posting it. have fun, but be a little careful too!

Dr Guy

on Jan 18, 2006

Furthermore, in most cases it's done bit by bit, not thinking with time those watching can easily determine a target of opportunity, and their reasoning isn't often the reasons one might think.

I agree! One JUser said she was not afraid of any other JUser. Nor am I. But JU is a public site! And I do not trust the rest of the internet!

Dr Guy

on Jan 18, 2006

Good article. I posted one in a similar vein a while back Link

I know, and I totally agree. unfortunately, others did not understand. I did post some pictures, and then pulled them. Oh how to be in the 50s again! But it is not possible.

Thanks for the link. I should have linked yours as well, but I have not had a lot of on line time of recent!

dharmagrl

on Jan 18, 2006

There's one teacher here who I would have loved to see be 'found out' by the parents of the kids s/he teaches. Really. S/he has been so.....spiteful and just plain mean to me and others in the past. Via IM's and emails telling us what shitty people we are, and also in the form of junk emails and USPS mail.

To see them busted...well, it would have been beautifully karmic. Just beautiful.

Dr Guy

on Jan 18, 2006

I am not going to defend those clowns (believe me, I have known enough!). But I am worried about some here who dont think what can happen if 'others' (read vindictive) see what they post. I have not read any "weird" stuff. But then I am not out to make a name.

Zoologist03

on Jan 18, 2006

I find the best thing to do to keep your libido is to firmly grasp it and render it helpless with force...perhaps get someone to help tackle it and you won't here much out of it if you keep showing it who's boss.

...okay, enough innuendo.

I'll agree you should be careful with what you post, especially if you're in a highly influential position or an important community member. When you're on the "pedastal" people take every chance to throw a tomato at you...which is why politics suck.

~Zoo

perrinwlf

on Jan 19, 2006

It's surprising to me that there is any doubt that something on the internet wouldn't be found. I hate to say it, but there are ten year olds who are faster on the web than me, and I'm a computer baby, true I grew up on dos and 3.1, but still. The internet belongs to kids mostly now, everyone has got to realize that if you want to keep it private, don't post it!

Dr Guy

on Jan 19, 2006

I'll agree you should be careful with what you post, especially if you're in a highly influential position or an important community member

Or just about anyone. I knew Gideon was very careful to not reveal who he was for the longest time, but when he decided to run for office, he came clean. I have not read all his stuff, but what I have read, there is nothing that would embarass him. Still, as you insinuate, they dont need a reason, they can make one up, and twist your words.

Dr Guy

on Jan 19, 2006

and I'm a computer baby, true I grew up on dos and 3.1, but still

If you grew up on those, you are no baby! And at least you can find your way around a command line, which does come in handy at times.

But yea, the kids of today were surfing the internet before cutting their teeth! So they are much better at it (and it makes me mad that I had to learn the Library Card Catalog and my kids dont! )

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