People of WalMart

flippyshark · 08-29-2009, 07:26 AM

I value my privacy, so I'm very not keen on the "new openness" that technology has brought us. I've recently had to ask camera-happy co-workers not to post candid pictures they have taken of me in the workplace. Next thing I knew, said pictures were on Facebook and garnering unwelcome comments. I'm officially unhappy with these people, given that my reasons were very personal, and my requests were made in good faith. "Because we can" is a frightening place to put the ethical bar. And it sucked being told I was spoiling other people's fun by even mentioning how unhappy it made me.

Yes, now and forevermore, going out in public opens us all up to observation, documentation and potential media ridicule. I might suggest that it's all in good fun if the subject has given consent. (I would happily put high school and community theater pics of myself up for public scrutiny.) But having people record me in vulnerable moments and post with my specific non-consent is deplorable behavior among friends, and ought to be cause for reflection among those who would post pictures of strangers with the intent to deride.

Just posting this makes me sound a lot less fun than I really am - but it's heartfelt.

08-29-2009, 07:26 AM	#11
flippyshark Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 2,852	I value my privacy, so I'm very not keen on the "new openness" that technology has brought us. I've recently had to ask camera-happy co-workers not to post candid pictures they have taken of me in the workplace. Next thing I knew, said pictures were on Facebook and garnering unwelcome comments. I'm officially unhappy with these people, given that my reasons were very personal, and my requests were made in good faith. "Because we can" is a frightening place to put the ethical bar. And it sucked being told I was spoiling other people's fun by even mentioning how unhappy it made me. Yes, now and forevermore, going out in public opens us all up to observation, documentation and potential media ridicule. I might suggest that it's all in good fun if the subject has given consent. (I would happily put high school and community theater pics of myself up for public scrutiny.) But having people record me in vulnerable moments and post with my specific non-consent is deplorable behavior among friends, and ought to be cause for reflection among those who would post pictures of strangers with the intent to deride. Just posting this makes me sound a lot less fun than I really am - but it's heartfelt.
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