CB, re: Internet privacy, lawsuits, questions, etc.
When I first went on the net back in ‘87 I decided not to use alias's. Not sure why, but I recognized long ago that there really isn't much privacy, either on the net or in our daily live's. (I am a privacy advocate, but it seem's to be a losing cause).
One of the interesting aspects of cyberspace is it tends not only to be interactive, but instantaneously reactive. For many this can create problems. (Many people probably wish they had waited some time before hitting the "send" button). <g>
I get the feeling some people file suits as rationalization's for their own failures. (For example, blaming a flamer for a decline in the price of a stock). I suspect one individual flaming a company really has little impact on that company's performance, but a suit may direct attention away from some real issues. ( And as you point out, there can be serious ramifications just in the process of being sued).
Which raises another question. Do the credentials of the flamer have any bearing on the courts? Is a derogatory yet unsubstantiated statement by an industry "expert" more damning than if it were from some casual person?
I suspect an analyst preparing a report for his clients does a lot more research than when interactively responding to some issue on the internet. Do you think that's a problem? Is the casual dummy held to the same standards as the expert?
It appears that the evolution of the net is in it's very early stages when it comes to legal issues. I think you give very good advice regarding statements. But I also think the net could become a boring place because of these issues.
Just MHO's of course. <g> |
