In the last few months, I have spotted no fewer than three examples of
one person in our social networking community slandering another person
in our social networking community. I use the word slander, although
technically it's more like libel because the articles are written by
bloggers who are read by thousands. I am not going to tell you who
they are because A) I will not stoop to their level and B) that would
send even more attention their way, which is exactly what some of them
want.
Personal blogs and social networks make it way too easy for us to spout off malicious judgments and/or hurtful falsehoods about other people. Did someone wrong you? Do you hate his work or what he stands for? Why bother to approach the person and share your views in a civilized manner when it makes you feel powerful and vindicated to rant in a public online forum where you can see just how many people agree with you?
I'll tell you why. Because even if it makes you feel better for the time being, it's not worth it. First of all, there's the issue of your personal brand. Everything published online has a long life, even if you later change your mind and try to delete it. Whether they have cause or not, people who slam others online are perceived by most observers to be petty, immature, and even cruel. Imagine that a few years down the road, an employer is searching for you. Do you want them to come upon your rant and drop your resume in the recycling bin, fearing that you'll shoot your mouth off the second the company does something that's not to your liking?
In our litigious society, it's also a dumb idea to cut someone down using their real name. I guarantee that person will find out, either through word of mouth or via a Google search. And they might be mad enough to sue you. It doesn't really matter if they don't win (most libel suits get thrown out eventually, especially if the plaintiff is well-known). You'll still have to pay big bucks to a lawyer to defend yourself.
Even if the person doesn't sue you, you've probably burned a bridge. The fact is, you never know when that person might cross your path again, and god forbid he's ever in a position to get back at you (he gets famous, becomes a client, etc.). Then you could really be in trouble.
Prefacing statements that are downright mean or compromising by saying they're "just your opinion" does not take away from the damage they may do to you and your reputation. Please people, just think before you type.
Personal blogs and social networks make it way too easy for us to spout off malicious judgments and/or hurtful falsehoods about other people. Did someone wrong you? Do you hate his work or what he stands for? Why bother to approach the person and share your views in a civilized manner when it makes you feel powerful and vindicated to rant in a public online forum where you can see just how many people agree with you?
I'll tell you why. Because even if it makes you feel better for the time being, it's not worth it. First of all, there's the issue of your personal brand. Everything published online has a long life, even if you later change your mind and try to delete it. Whether they have cause or not, people who slam others online are perceived by most observers to be petty, immature, and even cruel. Imagine that a few years down the road, an employer is searching for you. Do you want them to come upon your rant and drop your resume in the recycling bin, fearing that you'll shoot your mouth off the second the company does something that's not to your liking?
In our litigious society, it's also a dumb idea to cut someone down using their real name. I guarantee that person will find out, either through word of mouth or via a Google search. And they might be mad enough to sue you. It doesn't really matter if they don't win (most libel suits get thrown out eventually, especially if the plaintiff is well-known). You'll still have to pay big bucks to a lawyer to defend yourself.
Even if the person doesn't sue you, you've probably burned a bridge. The fact is, you never know when that person might cross your path again, and god forbid he's ever in a position to get back at you (he gets famous, becomes a client, etc.). Then you could really be in trouble.
Prefacing statements that are downright mean or compromising by saying they're "just your opinion" does not take away from the damage they may do to you and your reputation. Please people, just think before you type.
I think this is a post that every young professional should read. It is so easy to get mad in the competitive work worlds we live in and venting that anger usually makes us feel better but like you said...it is not worth it. Many people could save themselves grief if they read this post and tried to remember it next time they were tempted to speak ill of a coworker! Thanks for the great advice!
Amber Sosa
Posted by: Amber Sosa | January 12, 2010 at 05:13 AM
This intrigues me as this afternoon I was accidentally cced into a colleagues email rant. It's definitely not libel but she came off as a bitter weirdo with a martyr complex about the mini fridge she brought to the office. I'm still mulling over what to do about it especially as she leveled some unfounded but ultimately petty fridge related allegations about me. Just goes to show that you should be extremely wary about what you say even in a supposed private email. It's work not a friend's house.
Posted by: Cary Thomson | January 14, 2010 at 03:43 AM
@Amber: Glad you liked it, and thanks for taking the time to comment.
@Cary: Thanks for bringing up the point about e-mail. People need to assume that anything put in writing - no matter what the forum - will get back to the person in question.
Posted by: Alexandra Levit | January 20, 2010 at 01:55 AM