Boring Policy Stuff

There's an interesting article in New York Times Magazine today about weblogging, particularly concerning the privacy limits. (Thanks to How Appealing for the link.) It sort of makes me think that perhaps I should clarify the rules a little, since it has come up in the past. Oh, and by 'the rules,' I mean 'my rules.'

Until recently, I have avoided using proper names in my blog, as many will notice. My default position is that people don't want to be mentioned, or if I'm going to anyway, it will be anonymous. For example, if I were to mention something about someone getting thrown out of school, which would be big news, I would never mention anything identifying. Anyone who could figure out who it is would already know.

The same goes for things like private conversations with professors, both mine and those of which I am aware through a primary party. It's a private conversation.

Class, however, is a different matter. That's a public forum, and as anyone can tell from my quotes entry, I consider class to be pretty much open territory. I'm also assuming that prospective students may come across the site, and if they can get a realistic taste for my experiences, so much the better.

There is a limit, however. There are occasions when people say things, even professors, that just don't come out as intended. This is why in entries like this I did not say who the professor was. For one thing, it was out of context, so I don't think that people should form any opinions on the person based on this. The entry wasn't really about that anyway, it was about my thoughts and reaction. (Yes, the funny quotes are out of context too, but if anyone really takes those seriously, they need their head examined.)

And of course everybody says things they regret almost immediately. Anyone in my class can remember a particularly funny moment that never made it to my quote page, because I figured that it really would be too embarassing. What would a person with a reasonably developed sense of fun about themselves think of their words on the page? That's what I ask myself. Those are the things that you'll have to come to my school and sit there like the rest of us in order to enjoy.

Oh, and yes, I clearly identify professors by name, unless it's an anonymous quote. Everyone knows what school I attend and if they like, they can easily look up the faculty. Hell, they can even see my class schedule, once the school gets it up. So it is rather silly to keep things like that anonymous. But if anyone gets loaded after a final and does a Carmen Miranda table dance with a liquor-themed hat, you have to know that's getting in.

Don't worry, I won't use your name.

[UPDATE: Evan at the Underground has an interesting response to the NYT Magazine article. His rules are much more succinct and short than mine. Consider them adopted, with the caveat that I consider class to be a public forum.]