Consider the Source

I think it's important to consider the source- traditional media, newspapers don't want social media to be successful because they're scared of going out of business.

The reality is that Facebook- and any reputable social media network DOES NOT ask or require a social security number. You don't fill out your physical address nor do you need to fill out anything but your name and email address. Also, there are people canvassing for donations on nearly every corner of every downtown city centre right now - asking people for their names, address, and credit card numbers. That is more of a privacy concern to me then giving an online company superficial information about myself.

Today we are fractured from our network and we use social media to stay connected. It’s really that simple. The information that comes from participation within social networks provides valuable data that gives researches insights they'd otherwise have to spend years and stupid amounts of money to collect.

Privacy does not "vanish" - people are ignorant and give away info that is NOT required or asked of them. Participation is optional and what you disclose is in the hands of the participant.

And to quote from the article:

So far, this type of powerful data mining, which relies on sophisticated statistical correlations, is mostly in the realm of university researchers, not identity thieves and marketers.

I read about the Netflix lawsuit- I've been following it for years. At the end of the day - the movies people choose to watch is not a danger to their physical person. The information that was shared was done so to improve the internal algorithm of the recommendation engine. It breached privacy, but didn't open customers up to identity fraud.

..the customer data released for that first contest, despite being stripped of names and other direct identifying information, could often be “de-anonymized” by statistically analyzing an individual’s distinctive pattern of movie ratings and recommendations.

in reference to: How Privacy Vanishes Online, a Bit at a Time - NYTimes.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

Learn more about how to protect yourself online: http://www.privacy.gov.au/topics/technologies/security

Women in Business: The Art of a Solid Handshake

I was in a meeting the other day, there were 4 men present, another lady and myself. I extended my hand to everyone in the room for the business handshake, but a peculiar thing happened when I went to shake the woman's hand. She laughed, as though what we were doing was silly and then fumbled with the sunglasses in her hand to present me with a limp, half-assed handshake.

It led me to wonder - why is she reacting in this manner? At the end of the meeting she behaved the same way again, so I can only assume this is her reaction to shaking other women's hands. With my male co-worker she had no issue, but with me she was very awkward.

It could be that this is an isolated case, but in fact it's happened to me before. I think it's a confidence thing and perhaps a old-school attitude about women's role in business. It's like reverse sexism, or something.

There are "rules" to a good handshake - I don't really follow any of the traditional social etiquette. I just try to treat everyone the same. A solid, firm grip and a couple decent pumps of the wrist - that's really all I expect. I offer my hand when I introduce myself - I don't worry about who's more senior or junior or has what title.

I believe a person's handshake is an indication of their self-esteem. If you offer someone a limp, lifeless hand it tells them that you don't think very much of yourself and it can even give the impression that you don't respect them.

“Self-esteem isn't everything; it's just that there's nothing without it”

- Gloria Steinem