There are certainly ways to protect your privacy. The question becomes at what point does the protection of your identity hinder more than protect? I’ve got a low profile in Google. As of right now there is one hit on my exact name, and that’s because a friend had to restore their web site from a backup. I have a unique name, I guess. I used to ask people to take that down. I think now, I’ll leave it.

The creepy part, to my mind, is that it has become so easy to peer into someone’s private life, to follow them around digitally, and it can be done with virtual anonymity as long as the voyeur remains silent. I have no idea how many people put me in Google and follow me around the web. I guess the way to deal with that is either pack up shop and go home, as it were, or else acknowledge the fact and understand that what you put out there is out there.

The third option is to ignore the fact, but I think that eventually comes back to bite you in the ass. Until last year, I’ve never really thought about this kind of stuff. I’ve been interacting online for more than half my life and never had an issue with someone really trying to violate the reality barrier until then. I think part of it is that I was actually fairly sheltered in the communities that I hung out in. Everyone was old school; the hardcore geeks have a sense of internet etiquette and propriety, I think. You see the issues with the script kiddies and the casual users. The people with actual technical ability in general seem less likely to abuse that ability to harass other people.

Maybe it’s the geek thing all over again, they generally aren’t the bullies.

I’m rambling.

Anyway, I think the information you choose to put out there is up to you. My boyfriend had his phone number and home address up on his web site for years and never had any problems. He took it down because of my psycho. For myself, I am comfortable with the info I have out there. I understand what it is and what the implications are and how to make it go away.

Right now there is a certain feeling of anonymity behind the keyboard, both on the part of the user and on the part of the person harassing them. It’s an illusion, both ways.

I understand your frustration, and I wish there was more I could do to help ease it. Similarly, I also see where you’re coming from, but I’m not sure I entirely agree – for a couple reasons.

First of all, you’re absolutely correct that if someone wants to find you, generally speaking, they’ll be able to find you. However, there have also got to be ways to insulate oneself (through the use of intermediaries, etc.); it’s just a question of how far one wants to go to do so. Since there’s no such thing as true privacy anymore, it’s merely a questions of how much is it worth to you to spend for what level of privacy?

Second, and perhaps this is only because I referenced her the other day, but regardless of what “President Eightball” does, I beleive that we can always change course so long as there are like-minded people out there concerned with the preservation of our personal privacy rights. I still choose to beleive in the words of Margaret Meade:

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Amen.

The challenges I see are far too many. When I read that people cloak themselves, it’s only a matter of time before you can find out who they are, where they live and other savory (or not so savory details).

With regard to hiding my identity, I really cannot be bothered. Property records are on-line and anyone can purchase basically anything if they’re willing to cough up the $34.95.

We live in a society that no longer values privacy. Our very own government leads by example in failing to protect the rights of the citizens under The Constitution.

At this point…and perhaps it’s in my weakened state from being trolled, there is little we can do.