Privacy concerns?

"Privacy... It's what's for breakfast."

Yes, there is a dearth of private information.  I will gladly let some fellow modeller know who I am and some things about me, but I don't list this information on the internet where everyone, including those who like to sell such information, can see.  No e-mail addresses, no phone numbers, no actual home address.  Keeps my spam and mail box relatively empty.

And, yes, we do have an expectation of privacy.  It is embodied in the US Constitution.

http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/rightofprivacy.html

This is for the government.  Other personal violations of privacy are called "Trespassing", "Attempted Robbery", "Molestation" and "Peeping Tom Violation" (http://definitions.uslegal.com/p/peeping-tom/).

As for why I don't list a lot about me is: there really isn't anything in my life I think would be interesting.

Gary

I was involved in a legal mediation, as a sort of third party giving testimony in support of one of the two primary litigants.

The other guy brought print outs of most all of the eight thousand posts I had ever made on this forum, and had highlighted stuff I said that he thought helped his case. It came to nothing, except there was a lot of pretty embarrassing stuff.

Why I counsel you all, don't talk about your guns online. There's a future ex-wife out there, disgruntled employee or just an enemy dying to get their hands on your statements.

You say, well any rational person would understand that it's normal behavior. Sure, tell that to her attorney.

I really lament that some choose not to share anything about themselves. I mean, that's what gives a "community" those ties. I have a fairly accurate bio that I try to keep up-to-date, and it's always a bummer when someone piques my intererst with a comment or question and I go to see what they're about---hell, even their name would be nice to know!!-- and there's just a blank. It has helped me on more than one occasion to know NOT to maybe say something inappropriate or ambiguous to a person here because I know a little about them.

Seriously, you don't have to put your social security number in your bio to make it interesting or at least neighborly.  I wish more people would put a few lines down...

Yes, it is nice to know at least the age range, living area, and some generic info regarding the person you are conversing with on here. It often helps to understand their viewpoint when you know that sort of stuff. But as GB said, don't put too much out there for all to see. Big Brother is watching and while the powers that be right now are not acting too often upon online information, it is a possibility.

Stik,I agree wholeheartedly, and personally it's not Big Bro I worry about,( different discussion) but the ax grinders,disgruntled, and morons as in GM's scenario that seem to be ubiquitous. A big X-mas thanks to all who responded. Regards

Thanks TJ, see you at Fenway?

I don't need to know anything about someone that they do not wish to share. I for one don't share, so you all don't need to know.

Neither do I. PERSONALLY, I like at least an idea of age,say for a date of birth : " old enough to know better" tells me enough, or " west of the Rockies " location , I'm good to go. Preference. Thanks and Merry Christmas you old goat !

OldGoat

I don't need to know anything about someone that they do not wish to share.