I just read Seth Godin’s article at Fast Company, You Are Your References where he talks about how on-line life and digital footprints affect how potential employers see their employees. Everything from comments on Amazon to rants at Epinions could be considered. I appreciate that the scope of his article was limited to employment, but I find that every word of it is true for potential dates as well.
Because I believe in the golden rule, I don’t use names here or vent overmuch about previous relationships (if I do vent, it’s me venting at anonymous people). I’m a private person in the real world. Since I don’t relish the idea of my name and actions being immortalized on an ex’s blog, I don’t do it here. I live in the Google age. I know this.
Still, I’m not quite out in the open about my web presence. I don’t make a practice of telling potential dates about my blog. The truth is, I probably wouldn’t date someone for long if they didn’t find my blog. The web is so integrated into my life, personal and private, that I don’t want to explain it to someone who doesn’t get that lifestyle. If you can’t hang on the ‘net, I don’t want to make out with you. There. I’ve said it.
The other thing is, I’m not my blog and my blog is not me. It’s a slice of my life and that’s it. I don’t put everything out here. Heck, I don’t even put most things out here. If you read this blog and you date me (or want to), take this space with a heapin’ helpin’ of salt.
Okay, back to Fast Company.
