In the late 1970's, I was a student in a computing course taught by Dr. Roger
Rockefeller, professor at Utica College of Syracuse University (now
Professor-Emeritus of Physics at Utica College). Something this very fine technical
professor then proclaimed and strongly emphasized – his factual statement has stuck with me over the years: “Never put anything
in electronic messages that you would not yell to your mother across
a crowded room.”
Those simple, intelligent words from the sage Professor Rockefeller would well serve those
many center-left educated folks who seem to lack common sense when it
comes to electronic communication (i.e., email, Facebook, Twitter
tweets, etc.). Perhaps second only to Anthony Weiner, Mrs. H.R.
Clinton comes to mind as a leading candidate for the dubious title –
“The
New-Millennium's Least Intelligent
E-Mail User.”
E-Mail User.”
Note: The unaccredited image displayed at the top of this post found by simple Internet search and posted here for educational free-use purposes only.
Unwise people making unwise communication choices.
ReplyDeleteSo here's the real deal – if your email communications are of an incriminating nature – the problem with disclosure is yours. Do not send email or web-mail communication containing deeply personal data, financial, slanderous, or other unkind comments in your electronic communication. Then potential disclosure can be no real destructive problem. Who would care about unauthorized email disclosure by leaks from unknown sources, even data illegally obtained, if the email subjects are innocuous communication about weddings, funerals, dates, or workout sessions. There is no real damage from disclosed communication on general unclassified material or friendly family subjects.
Remembering Dr. Rockefeller's sage warning: “Never put anything in electronic communication you would not yell to your mother across a crowded room.”
Smarter people might simply walk a short distance for a confidential private discussion, or think about sending a hand-written first-class letter on a necessary private family communication.