A memory like an elephant – or – a friendly reminder
eriksr on August 18th, 2008
Just a reminder here, folks.
Remember the poetry you wrote at thirteen years old and posted on your very first Website? Remember the rant against your girlfriend you so cleverly turned into a podcast? The lapdance you put on YouTube? The too-drunk-to-stand pictures you placed on Flickr?
No? Well, no worries, a Goggle search will find them. Don’t believe me? Search your partner, your boss, or for the brave at heart, yourself. Then skip to page 23 (if you’ve been busy) or page 123 (if you’ve been very busy). Why look. There’s your glorious opus, your silver-tongued tirade, your gluttonous grin, your, well, you get the picture.
You are there because the Internet has a memory like an elephant. It never forgets. Ever. Which means everything you have ever posted, in any format, at any time, is preserved for all eternity for all future bosses, potential spouses (and spouses-in-law’s), up-coming clients, and anyone else who can spell your name. Preserved forever. Me? I’m embarrassed by my old USENET posts where I show off my Warhammer rules lawyering skills. You’ll NEVER find them, by the way…
So watch what you say on the Internet. Watch what you post. Watch what your spouse posts. Watch what your kids post. And, heaven help us, if you are in PR, watch what your client posts. Even on their own Website.
Unless, that is, they are delinquent in paying their bill.
