So tomorrow I start teaching my
college class and curriculum be damned, I’m going to do my best to once again
speak to the class of teens and twenty-somethings about personal brand, privacy, and the impact on their future
selves.
I posted once or twice before on
this topic, notably years ago when Michael Phelps was photographed taking a hit
off a bong, and my essential points are the same: nothing is private. That is
true of royals and celebrities, and it’s true of little ol’ you, too. The
difference is whether we have the coverage thrust upon us (Harry, Michael) or
we go looking for it (future employers, clients).
I don’t think the point is lost on
Gen Y and Millennials (after all, Harry was quoted in Vegas, in a prediction worthy
of Nostradamus, that he had to be careful or else he’d be ‘up on Twitter or Facebook
or YouTube thanks to somebody’s mobile phone camera’ ) but the understanding of privacy and long-term impact
of their actions is lost on young people. Even on young men like Harry - steeped in tradition, highly scrutinized,
with a closely guarded upbringing. In fact, it should be noted that unlike the US,
and in spite of its tabloid history, the UK has laws meant to keep certain scandals
out of the papers. The Royal Family argued that if UK papers were to publish
photos of Harry’s Vegas game of strip billiards (which he apparently lost) it
would violate UK press and privacy laws. Of course, the UK’s Sun argued that the photos are already in the public domain, and that publishing them is therefore not a privacy violation. It’s an antiquated notion... it's just not possible to take back a digital photo or badly
worded tweet. As former democratic representative Anthony Weiner certainly
understands, once it’s out there, it’s done. That’s the benefit and the curse of
communication technology today.
So let me suggest to those who find
temptation…, well, too tempting. Be aware that every decision you have made has
led you to this moment. Every decision you make from here on out will determine
the course of the rest of your life. That has always been true, but in today’s
digital age, there is no longer an opportunity for a do-over. Every decision you
make is one-and-done.
Here are three things to understand
to help evade the seemingly inevitable:
1. You do not need to be on
camera to legitimize yourself. Learn
to understand the importance of private moments, private thoughts, private
actions, and private lives. Work hard to keep them that way. There is power in
having and keeping secrets.
2. You must choose your friends
wisely. You may only have only had
a single beer at that party, but there you are in the photo, standing next to
the naked dude being held upside down on the keg. I’m not suggesting you can’t
let loose and have fun, but you need to understand that the concept of ‘guilt
by association’ is valid, like it or not.
3. Remember what Ben Franklin said. No, not “early to bed…,” although
that’s a good one. I’m thinking of “Three people can keep a secret only if two
are dead.”
Finally, remember this, which ties
in particularly well with pictures of Prince Harry’s ginger crown jewels: Privacy
is like virginity: It’s the most valuable thing you possess, and once it’s
gone, it’s never coming back.
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