This post continues an arc on online privacy started in Online Privacy, Part 1. So far we've some of the history of privacy and that theme continues in this post. Here we'll also be introducing the requirement for privacy in commerce and how privacy is tied to trust, both online and off. Information in this arc is from Chapter 7, "Experience Versus Expectation" of my next book, Reading Virtual Minds...Think about it and you'll understand why the lack of privacy and anonymity was not only the norm, it was required. Prior to recent times literacy wasn't the norm, and literacy plays a key role in the need for well defined and recognized social roles. Person A wasn't likely to engage in commerce with Person B unless A knew B personally, hence knew they could trust and were trusted. Likewise for Person B. Remember "I trust you", "You Can Trust Me" and so on? The faster these questions were answered the longer people lived, and living in small social circles where identity was defined such things as
- everyone around you knowing who you were,
- who you were related to, what you did,
- your shoe size,
- whether you limped,
- how you dressed and
- if your wife liked the way you kissed (yep, this is for you Martin Guerre fans)
(text and images copyright Joseph Carrabis and NextStage Evolution 2006-2007)
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