Privacy vs. Community by tallbob

posted over 3 years ago, updated 14 minutes later

Privacy and community. They go together like ... well ... they kind of don't go together, do they? Some folks say "good fences make good neighbors." I don't subscribe to that opinion - I live in a community that shares most of its open space. But even if you feel that sharing open space is problematic, there's a limit: Clearly, barbed-wire fences, shuttered windows and attack dogs do not make good neighbors.

Eons has a tough problem: Social networks are scary - or so the media would have us believe. Predators on MySpace. Hackers breaking into corporate computers - and all that. There's an atmosphere of fear out there -- fear of the new and unknown. As a result, people often approach Eons with great deal apprehension. If a new member is allowed to create a false identity or hide key pieces of information, they will often choose to do so -- without understanding that this can diminish the quality of their experience.

When people are distrustful they, in turn, are treated with distrust by the existing community. They have a harder time connecting, forming functional groups, having meaningful conversations and forming real friendships. It contributes to an atmosphere of fear that diminishes the kind of activity Eons needs in order to be a successful social network - and a successful business.

...And that's why Eons has to think long and hard about issues like whether the community is helped or hindered by allowing people to hide their age or their real name. Some social networking experts have expressed the opinion that Eons is hampered by the decision to allow people to make up screen names instead of using real names. Personally, I'm hopeful we can find a way to incorporate real relationships without losing the "masquerade ball"-type relationships we currently enjoy. To my knowledge, nobody has yet done this ...I like like a challenge!

If you are concerned about the issue of identity theft, here are some sensible articles from reputable sources:

view link view link view link
http://news.cnet.com/Separating-myth-from-reality-in-ID-theft/2100-1029_3-5907165.html
view link

posted by dianna

Tallbob, moving into any community can be scary. I chose to use my real name as my eons' name. I understand others who do not want to. I agree that fences do not make good neighbors. I've dropped my fences for some people - they know my full name and my regular email. I hope others will feel comfortable as time goes by.

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posted by dlly1935

Thanks, Tallbob, for that valuable information. Everyone should know it by heart already, but many do not in spite of all the warnings that have been issued for years. I have no problem sharing with others, but some things simply should not be shared, like bank accounts, credit card & ATM card information, driver's license, cars, nor my spouse...to name a few. I feel perfectly safe on EONS and wish others did not feel they need a "Private Profile," especially if they want friends. I don't want to be a friend to someone who thinks they have to hide. Don't they realize they don't have to "bare their soul" on their profile? Yet, they could open their profile and proffer a friendly handshake with selected information. I'll bet there are many nice folks hiding behide those closed profiles.

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posted by OKScissortail

I would be very uncomfortable having a page on EONS if I was forced to reveal my name, address, etc. I'm not worried about identity theft. But I am worried about unwanted guests.
Everything on my page is accurate, and anyone who lives in my small town probalby knows exactly who I am. I agree that created a false persona is no way to make good friends. but I like being slightly anonymous.

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posted by pam42750

I have to comment on this one. I started out with my whole name. Mistake!!! I immediately had several men want to come over. So no, your full name is not a necessity to make friends. It is also very dangerous for single women. I've learned to proceed with caution now. Pam

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posted by Debirae

Love your blog and understand where people are coming from. But just because someone sees my first and last name on something doesn't mean they know enough about me for it to be dangerous to me.

I am who I am, I would be no different if you lived next door to me, other than you would see me often and know where I lived.

I don't hide behind who I want to be, or who I think others think I should be, this is me, the real me, and I only reveal in my profile the info that allows others to get to know the real me.

They don't need to know my address, my phone number, date of birth, ssn#, bank account info and such in order to be friends with me, that to me is just icing on the cake. Get to know the real me and she doesn't consist of numbers, places, or things...

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posted by LilDJ

I had to comment on this. This much I do agree with completely:When people are distrustful they, in turn, are treated with distrust.

I have learned this in my daily life with live human bodies. This has been my first real social networking experience. I have dropped out, come back and had minor name changes so many times. I am ok, now. Now that I am ok I find it hard to understand closed profiles, especially when they are trying to enter a new group. Because we can control, just how much you chose to share does not mean you have to bare it all. That is for those special few we develope lasting realtionships with. I don't have fences, just a hedge that could be jumped and a small Shih Zu that certainly has a vicious sounding bark.

However, I have children in the Military and a son with a budding career and there is only so much I can share, at their request. There is alot more to think about than just fences and guard dogs. However, I think all profiles should be open, why else be here. Took me some time to understand that and hopefully more will feel that way too and soon. Interesting, that some of the profiles I finally get to open to me, I see total fluff with no really clues to who the person really is.

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