Until recently, I've made a deliberate point to abstain from most online interactions for a variety of personal and professional reasons. Admittedly, I seem to have grown more receptive to certain forms of online engagement as of late (like Google +) and have been quite amused by my resulting behavior patterns so far. Given the about face, I began receiving inquires from friends about what criteria I used to gauge what I say and how, and why I feel more comfortable "now vs. then". After giving it some thought, I distilled my approach down to the following:
I actively avoid posting any content online that I wouldn't be comfortable defending or explaining to...
- Any past, present, or future employer
- Any past, present, or future romantic partner
- Any friends, family, or future acquaintances
- Any recognized legal authority (including judges, lawyers, police officers, etc.)
- Any influential moral authority (including religious mentors, the press, etc.)
My litmus test is to essentially ask myself: if I were to go on a date, interview for a job, go to church, visit my mother, meet my in-laws, or stand before a judge 10 years from now wearing a t-shirt bearing whatever I'm about to post online, could I live with the consequences given a choice? Would "future me" give it the "Not Bad" or "Gas Face"?
