There's also the issue of being aware that you are trying to become a pubic presence. As you say, some topics aren't entirely your own any more. You have a responsibility to the people around you. I like how Neil Gaiman talks about his family. He's not secretive, but he's also careful about the details of what he shares, without losing the lightness. I've become more aware, coming through various lj hysterias over the last year or so, that what I say in a public space is, erm, public. Not the place to share TMI about your rooomates. (Not even most disgusting habits of your cats.) Partly, this is because if you're online whining in a typically lj sort of way about somebody in your personal life, and you're being read by Scalzi's level, you have no idea where it might end up. Or where it might eventually end up getting quoted.
We've been warned by our union reps that all this stuff can end up in the hot little hands of nosy employers, for instance, with the excuse that it's for the sake of "security". Or it can get poked into by Xtian teenagers trying to shut down people who have politics that their parents don't agree with, by reporting their lj for pr0n. Or in the hands of Homeland Security, if somebody is really cross.
Now there's a thought to inspire light witty repartee, I must say.
In my own case, I've more or less decided that hey, if they want a look, take a look! Maybe I'll broaden some minds! So it's going to be something I'd be willing to tell them to their face, if they asked. I don't proimse to be nice about it if I'm asked, though.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2008-02-24 05:10 am (UTC)As you say, some topics aren't entirely your own any more. You have a responsibility to the people around you. I like how Neil Gaiman talks about his family. He's not secretive, but he's also careful about the details of what he shares, without losing the lightness.
I've become more aware, coming through various lj hysterias over the last year or so, that what I say in a public space is, erm, public. Not the place to share TMI about your rooomates. (Not even most disgusting habits of your cats.)
Partly, this is because if you're online whining in a typically lj sort of way about somebody in your personal life, and you're being read by Scalzi's level, you have no idea where it might end up. Or where it might eventually end up getting quoted.
We've been warned by our union reps that all this stuff can end up in the hot little hands of nosy employers, for instance, with the excuse that it's for the sake of "security". Or it can get poked into by Xtian teenagers trying to shut down people who have politics that their parents don't agree with, by reporting their lj for pr0n.
Or in the hands of Homeland Security, if somebody is really cross.
Now there's a thought to inspire light witty repartee, I must say.
In my own case, I've more or less decided that hey, if they want a look, take a look! Maybe I'll broaden some minds!
So it's going to be something I'd be willing to tell them to their face, if they asked.
I don't proimse to be nice about it if I'm asked, though.