Week 10 Board Discussions

Author: Gwyneth Peaty
Date: Monday, November 2, 2009 1:52:47 PM WST
Subject: “We Googled you”: Should Fred hire Mimi?

<!–
In
this reading, danah boyd addresses the question of online reputation
and the passage of time. What does it mean that, instead of writing feverishly in their diaries, teenagers today are publishing their opinions and allegiances for all the world to see? What happens on the internet, stays on the internet. Can, and should, this information be considered by future employers? boyd states that “my generation isn’t as afraid of public opinion as his was. We face it head-on and know how to manage it. We digitally document every love story and teen drama imaginable and then go on to put out content that creates a really nuanced public persona.” Do you agree? Is boyd overemphasising the extent to which young people can design their online image?Feel free to bring up any points you found interesting on the topic.

 

I have no issue with a company doing some Google research on a potential employee. If I am after a new product of service, I do research online before I pick up the phone, so it makes sense that part of the job application procedure is for the employer to research online.

With today’s borders being almost nonexistent with business and communication it would be wise to check on an employee’s past. Imagine employing someone who has a heavy past in protesting to free Tibet, and the job involves being a trade negotiator with China. Wouldn’t you want to know that before you employee someone. Whatever you post online you have to be aware of possible future implications.

Author: Michael Nycyk
Date: Sunday, November 8, 2009 11:35:12 AM WST
Subject: RE: “We Googled you”: Should Fred hire Mimi?

But what about say material that has been archived on the internet or still exists from a decade ago? Do we assume the person is still like they were? Your example is excellent re well if you protest for Tibet of course it is not wise to employ them as a Chinese trade negotiator. Bit like hiring a death metal fan for the position of the head of the Catholic Church. There are obvious exceptions but again a fuller picture of the digital shadow and footprints and not just assuming X did Y in 2009 so we can’t hire them seems sensible. Funny how this hiring issue has only come to the fore as a debate in the last year. What has changed now? Or are hirers simply lazy or busy and fall on Google as an absolute thing to determine your finanical status in society? Google Image Bad = no hire but in turn = company taxes paying for your Newstart while they try to find the perfect person who has never sinned. Good luck employers.

I’m starting to come around to Tama’s arguement to craft an online presence but there is stuff from the past on there for many so surely some degree of flexiblity should be kept in mind when researching?

Photos of someone New Years Eve with a beer in both hands, big deal, it is a party, we have all been there and most likely will again, As an employer I would have no issue with this, its recreational, it shows that the person has a life, they are able to socialise. On the other hand a page from 10 years ago of a teenager talking about guns and how much they hate the world, that would make me think. There are degrees and I would say each case is unique and it comes down to the employers personal views.

I don’t know about you but the next pope being a death metal fan would be funny. You know there would be some great masups from that.

Author: Michael Nycyk
Date: Sunday, November 8, 2009 12:05:09 PM WST
Subject: RE: “We Googled you”: Should Fred hire Mimi?

LOL Ben yes I’m all for the next Pope being a death metal fan.

Agree with you assertions. At least you are knowing the boundaries of what is posted of your potential employees. Just some, from the debate in the mass media, jump up and down and say they want some perfect employee. Who is going to give up using the internet based on being scared of future employment prospects?

I do not think anyone should stop using the Internet because of the future, having said that maybe a course at High School on Internet Footprints and Digital Shadows would be a beneficial part of someone’s education.

Author: Michael Nycyk
Date: Sunday, November 8, 2009 1:19:09 PM WST
Subject: RE: “We Googled you”: Should Fred hire Mimi?

In 1999 I studied under Carmen Luke, a major American Education Academic, at the University of Queensland, and back then she argued for digital literacy lessons and ethics to be taught. I do not want to suggest more burdens on teachers and the education system to teach yet another life skill, but a bit more than the US Leader, much like Nancy Regan’s Just Say No Farce with Sex Education, saying don’t post bad stuff on Facebook is needed.

I was fortunate enough to go to a high end secondary college, one thing I remember the school drilling into us even back in the late 80′s was be careful of public perception, what you do now will reflect later in life. That was a valuable life lesson.

 

NOTES

Unlike Internet Footprint whihc is what you post about yourself a Digital Shadow is what others post about you.

Google

Blind Search

Spezify

You cant control what others write about you online, that does kind of worry me since the control is not in my hands.