Late in the office (again) after an amazing night of discussion and casual presentations by some of the most notorious digital personas I know…the discussions really made me reflect on digital identity and what it means for us and how we live. Online and offline.
To nobody’s surprise, we all had a slightly different viewpoint of identity from one another.
One person uses the same login name as their offline name everywhere they go. She is not afraid of the consequences. She is all about truth laid bare.
Another person asked how to manage their personal and private - especially when political views come into play. Should it matter once you are responsible for the future of a company, employing several people that you are outspoken? Maybe…
Another person defines himself through his work. His brand and his business are one and the same and everything he lives, eats and breathes is his business. He hasn’t questioned that.
Someone else, who I thought was pretty ‘out there’ online reveals that there is a secret identity somewhere that none of us could trace. I’m curious.
Some of us know who we are. We let our identities lead. We are out there and proud of it. Some of us hide behind a persona online to be able to accomplish what we can’t offline. Some of us don’t distinguish between the two. Some want all identities merged. Others fight to remain anonymous. Others want multiple personalities.
No matter what, all of us have an intense, emotional relationship with identity.
We hope to continue this conversation in a slightly more serious gathering in the new year. Can the solution ever be automated? I don’t know. Parts of it. But emotions and experiences so unique make it a highly personal experience…
4 Comments
You should have a look at this.
Identity 0.2 or how we are building this identity you talk about.
http://ulik.typepad.com/leafar/2006/10/ulik_unleash_id.html
Its really interesting to see the gamut of responses on the subject of online identities. Its also interesting to note that the general public’s ideas about what is okay to share and what isn’t has shifted dramatically these past few years.
If you would’ve said, “hey; do you want to make a page that tells everything about you to total strangers (aka. myspace)?” Early 2000, most people would of said no. Now, you’re seeing a lot of people’s online identities moving closer to their actual personalities. Well at least the personality to show to the public, people will always have their private side that they keep to themselves and loved ones.
Some of the anonymous ones have really distinctive names. John Smith is much harder to find on Google.
“Every one is a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody.” — Mark Twain
Post a Comment