eGuido

[jackofallgeeks]

This Article, describing a new service called ReputationDefender, makes me want to nickname it eGuido. I'm not really sure how I feel about it. Even as it was initially envisioned, to 'protect' children and teenagers from immortalizing potentially damaging lapses of judgment, makes me think back to a few months ago when politicians and other high-profile people were being embarrassed with compromising pictures and blog posts made by their children. It seems to me like a strong-arm tactic to ensure that Junior's indiscretions can't make mommy and daddy look bad, and feels particularly geared toward the rich and important -- a way to keep them on top even when their lack of integrity would rightly bring them down. It also feels a little counter-productive as far as teaching Junior how to behave -- when you can just pay someone to clean up the mess, why care?

I think there is something to be said about prospective employers using search engines to research prospective employees. Even at that, though, I'm not sure... I really don't believe the line "if you've done nothing wrong you've nothing to fear," but maybe if you've done something worth erasing maybe it's time you re-evaluate the way you're living your life. The only valid bit I can imagine is if you have changed your life but something in your past is so bad, so persistent, and so readily searchable that it's invalidating the changes you've made. But I'm skeptical how often that would be the case.

Comments

[naughtjennifer.livejournal.com]

The only valid bit I can imagine is if you have changed your life but something in your past is so bad, so persistent, and so readily searchable that it's invalidating the changes you've made. But I'm skeptical how often that would be the case.

What about things like This?

[jackofallgeeks.livejournal.com]

An interesting point you make, but I would argue it's not valid. That is, the problem with the article you note, as I see it, is that Ms. Martinez was removed from her position unfairly based on a previous position she held. There might be some arguable basis for it, but it would be similar to if I were fired from my job at, say, Microsoft because I'd contributed to Open Source projects or something. say what you will about the morality of "technical Virgin" (or that of working for Microsoft), I don't think it's something she should have to erase from history. Further, I'll note, Ms. Martinez herself let her supervisors know about the videos, not a web search, so it's even more of a different beast.

[naughtjennifer.livejournal.com]

I believe you may have slightly misunderstood the point I was making. You do provide a solid argument in that she disclosed the information herself. My argument is that people may see the need for this based on the fact that their jobs could be unfairly terminated for past indiscretions, much like her.

I'm not arguing for the service. I'm stating what others may use as an argument in support of said service. "Why not protect yourself from unfair persecution?" So to speak.

[jackofallgeeks.livejournal.com]

One ought not tolerate yet defend against unfair persecution -- one is better served, indeed the greater good is better served -- if one instead fights unjust persecution. So yes, while some would use this service for the former purpose, ignoring the more difficult latter purpose, I argue they do themselves little good by it.