[Rainer.]

Originally Posted by bobthecockroach

Everyone has a different definition of "incriminating." Suppose I say that the only possible reason to buy a Hummer is to make up for feelings of inferiority and insignificance. Now suppose I'm looking for a job and the person interviewing me drives a hummer.

If you know that your online profile is public, then you should have enough wit to know that, well, your online profile is public.

Everyone with a rudimentary knowledge of how the online persona is crafted knows that online presence is a fantastic way of handling how people perceive you as a potential hire or contractor, and part of that is keeping some more polarizing views to oneself, and the other part is really getting out there what you want people to know you by.

[bobthecockroach]

Originally Posted by Rainer.

If you know that your online profile is public, then you should have enough wit to know that, well, your online profile is public.

Everyone with a rudimentary knowledge of how the online persona is crafted knows that online presence is a fantastic way of handling how people perceive you as a potential hire or contractor, and part of that is keeping some more polarizing views to oneself, and the other part is really getting out there what you want people to know you by.

I have absolutely no interest in crafting a persona.

(Yes, I realize this could be a disadvantage. I'm in an industry where online presence is practically the first thing companies ask about.)

I would also contend that "polarizing views" differ by person as well.

[Rainer.]

Well, whether or not you're interested in it, a well developed web identity is still an excellent marketing tool.

And yes, one of the dangers of interacting with humanity in general is that someone indeed may just not like you. But the added benefit of humanizing yourself and giving yourself an actual personality, when interacting with the majority, is really very useful. It makes people far more inclined to want to work with you rather than a generic name without an identity behind it.

[bobthecockroach]

Originally Posted by Rainer.

Well, whether or not you're interested in it, a well developed web identity is still an excellent marketing tool.

And yes, one of the dangers of interacting with humanity in general is that someone indeed may just not like you. But the added benefit of humanizing yourself and giving yourself an actual personality, when interacting with the majority, is really very useful. It makes people far more inclined to want to work with you rather than a generic name without an identity behind it.

Interacting with humanity and having an actual personality is half of my reason for trying to limit online presence.

[Rainer.]

Each to his own.