When I was recently asked to write a character reference for a friend, I didn’t hesitate; he was a good bloke and a mate. A character reference is much the same as a reference letter you might keep from past employers. It’s a type of profile – more like an overview – and should be written by someone you trust. But, before I could start, I needed to know the objective of the letter.
I knew that in writing this character reference or profile it was important to be honest, to highlight his positive qualities without exaggeration and include some flaws so it didn’t read as fiction. But, because of the nature of these types of letters, there is always the fear that they might sound just a bit too good.
Do we take any of these things into consideration when writing or creating our own profiles?
I suppose that would depend on who or what it’s for. Are we completely honest, do we deliberately lie, do we leave bits out to distort the information as more positive, do we actually consider the ramifications of information we’ve provided or not provided? Or do we just enter information haphazardly while registering our details to immediately engage in the latest app or digital platform?
We need to wake up and realize that the majority of apps might be free to download but at what cost? When you open an app for the first time it asks for your standard details and in some registrations a few additional questions. As you proceed through the app, It becomes apparent that to use it properly you need to pay a subscription, costing you anywhere from $12-$50 a month, depending on the app. You decide it’s not worth it and remove the app, but by this time they have already started sending you emails, spamming your email account like they do when you visit any website. These companies are relentless, emailing you with surveys and questions to get feedback. This is supposed to improve quality or service but really it’s an invitation for years of harassment and takes countless valuable hours of your time trying to unsubscribe. No matter how many times you click ‘unsubscribe’ the emails just keep coming; no amount of filters on any platform will stop the online abuse. Knowing this, I have become very reluctant about sharing my email address. Unfortunately, everything requires an email today or so they say. Remind me: who the hell are they? My suggestion is to create a rubbish bin email, one you don’t even check, one that simply sets you free from future aggravation.
Profiling is in everything we do and goes on your permanent online and offline record. If you
want to borrow money from a bank or travel overseas, they simply bring up your history or profile to assess whether you are a risk. It could be a job application, buying or renting property, medical history, internet and multi-media subscriptions, shopping online. Then you have all the social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, EHarmony, Tinder and sites and apps that haven’t even been invented yet. They ask, and we answer all types of personal questions: What’s your name? Which gender or religion do you identify with? Where do you live? How old are you? What are your interests? Are you obese? (sorry, are you in good physical condition?) What are you looking for, and how can we help you or be of assistance? Your immediate thought is, you can assist me by fucking off.
Most social media platforms have a function for editing profiles and notifications but comprehending the ‘how-to-do-it’ is just as confusing as the legal print at the bottom of a loan agreement or insurance policy. Only those who have a degree in IT and can decipher tech-talk know where to start. The kids born after 2000 instinctively have this know-how from years of screen time which is now part of the school curriculum., sharing games and knowledge with their friends Unfortunately they are the biggest offender of profile abuse. Often kids lie about their age for FB and Instagram accounts and if you put the average 20-something female in a line up and try to identify her from her profile picture, I guarantee the first one you identify will be wrong. And they all start to look the same after a while.
I am concerned with having a permanent banking record, that may affect me and my family in the future. Miss any of the countless payments we have on a monthly basis: mortgage, rent, car, credit card, insurance policies. Your credit rating is all there on your permanent banking record. Your profile and personal information continue to be stored on massive databases, now located in the cloud, outer space or another cosmos. Who is to say that my bad banking record or profile won’t be taken into consideration when my kids apply for a loan? Like father like son. ‘I’m sorry Mr Benenden your loan application has been rejected. Based on your dad’s profile, you are considered a high-risk client, sorry.’ You can’t even go to another bank because they have the same shared information. Reputations follow people well after their demise, it’s called history.
Falsifying, exaggerating or politicising profiles is something we are familiar with when it comes to certain documents like resumes or CVs. It’s not uncommon to employ a professional to write one for you, increasing your chances of employment. Recruiters suggest we leave out short employment as it doesn’t look good to future employers. Apparently, it’s a type of red flag and they see you as a potential risk. Personally I don’t agree with doctoring documents for any reason, either you did or you didn’t do, or achieve something. I don’t think being part of a 20-person team working on an account makes you integral to its success. Many people believe they are entitled to enhance all aspects of their CVs as long as they get the job, and hoping like hell they can ‘fake it until they make it’. Or don’t. Clearly we are taught from a very early age that lying is wrong but it’s okay apparently to exaggerate, leave out or create false profiles when it suits us Unfortunately many young adults have grown up in a time of instant gratification, where reward is received without effort or hard work. They want it all and right now, even if they haven’t earnt it, believing they are entitled to it–‘if I see something I want, I will do whatever it takes to get it, including lying and manipulating the truth. Even companies lie about job descriptions, leaving out undesirable tasks or duties, and then demand that they be carried out if you get the job. Today, when some reach positions of influence and authority – like politicians and journalists – it has become almost the norm to mislead people with double-talk and fake news.
If we don’t start taking care of our profiles, our privacy will be exposed and exploited and governments, companies and unscrupulous people will try to run every aspect of our lives. They track you, record you, lie about you, accuse you, defame you, convict you, steal from you, manipulate you, extort you and who knows what other angles they have at their disposal . What can we do? A serious question everybody should be asking themselves. Stop giving out your email and phone number so freely would be a good start. You need to monitor your own activity, Do you really need to be on Facebook or Instagram? One thing is for sure we need tougher privacy laws banning second and third parties from sharing our personal information or details. Do we really want to live in a world where we are rated based on our profile.? What’s next? A profile card that you carry around with you like a universal ID, where business owners on and offline check your ratings based on your experience. The TV series Black Mirror has an episode regarding profiles and ratings, well worth the look at our possible future. Maybe the infrastructure is already in place and being rolled out around the world.
Most people have no idea what, where, when and how this information will be used. We are simply pawns being exploited for profit for larger corporations and governments, a type of Matrix scenario. All the information we have entered over our lives – however short-lived they might be – is being analysed and sorted into groups, markets, or demographics right now by some AI or advanced algorithm. After reading this article, don’t be surprised if you see, or receive a banner ad relevant to cyber security or privacy software.
They (whoever they are) know us better than we know ourselves! Next time you go online be mindful of your rights and privacy. Try switching off the digital connection for a while, go for a walk or sit quietly in nature allowing your senses including your intuition to explore the unknown. You never know you might discover something new or simply appreciate life from a different angle.
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