Yes, reading this article certainly brought me back to thinking about the blurry public/private line. I agree that it is mistaken to see this as completely new, rather, it is another way of doing something that has been a threat to employees (and employers in some cases) throughout history, just using different techniques and technology. This comment struck me: "Our recent story about companies sacking employees over seemingly private Facebook chatter has provoked several new examples from readers who claim their employers took their Facebook postings *out of context* and used them as an excuse to show them the door." It does seem to be the case that, regardless of the "trust no-one" reality, people feel unfairly treated by these situations where their words are "taken out of context" - from what felt like a private context into a professional context. Rhiannon, your story about the email has probably happened to so many of us (I can think of a few times emails of mine ended up being read by eyes I had never bargained for). Even though I know all this intellectually, I still get the sense that - generally - my online conversations are just going to be read by those I expect to read them. I find it hard to always apply the rule (act like the whole world will read this!) to everything I say. Well, I have to think about it - it doesn't come naturally to me, let's put it that way. I'm currently writing up my research with drug users who read and/or participate in online discussions about drugs in public online forums. I asked them to reflect on their concerns about privacy, if they had any, anything they did to mitigate risks. So far I've found a wide range of attitudes and actions taken.. with the younger people and those with less online experience being a lot less concerned. Monica 2009/4/9 Ben Light <B.Light@salford.ac.uk>
Thanks for the link Monica and the discussion. I've just finished a session with a PhD student I am working with who's just about to jump into the field and follow the development and implementation of social media at a network solutions company - her focus is on the possible implications for 'home' and 'work' life.
Of course we found ourselves talking about the telework research of the 80s, but also the pre-industrial revolution cottage industries of the UK! I'm sure we could go back further :O)
Ben.
Ben Light Professor of Digital Media Director IS, Organisations and Society Research Centre Acting Associate Head of School - Research School of Media, Music and Performance The University of Salford Adelphi House Salford M3 6EN
www.smmp.salford.ac.uk www.benlight.org www.isos.salford.ac.uk