Are You Brave Enough to Post A Picture of Yourself?

[Tranquil Bondservant]

I'm sorry you went through that and glad you're okay.

Doxxing was the tipping point for me. I followed the coverage of the covington teens and what happened to them. They were harassing them and their loved ones and issuing death threats. That's when I decided to do things differently.

Although I work in this space I don't connect with my family and friends online. I don't want anyone targeting them because they're upset at me. I limit my connections to businesses and others doing the same. The same holds true for images. I'm welcome to share my own but won't share others.

It's not because I'm frightened. I understand how malicious people are. Many don't enjoy seeing others have things they lack or do the things they can't. It makes them angry. Social media exacerbates it and pokes the bear.

I knew why they posted the details about her house and shared her parents and in-laws too.. I didn't know how much it cost but I know real estate and I could guess. Most people don't quit their job to do YouTube full-time unless they're making more. Just because you're thrifty and aren't consumption oriented doesn't mean you're pinching pennies. You have different values.

But I understand your position too. You can't live your life hostage to others or always looking over your shoulder. And for the most part I agree.

~bella

The age of internet anonymity & privacy died when the social media websites instead of fading into obscurity like was normal; somehow hung on and turned the internet from the wild west into a giant pool of data attached to real-world identities. I think if you remove social media you get rid of a large portion of the threat of doxxing. There will always be websites like Kiwi-Farms and stray individuals who enjoy torturing others but without social media and also real world media (i.e. your Covington example) doxxing goes back to being a peripheral thing like phishing. With the dawning of AI though it's only going to get worse as it will be easier than ever to access and coalesce our individual/unique data. Most websites are a data breach or data leak away from leaking all of your information that you store on that website or at least the vital things, including this one, only to have that data snatched up by nefarious actors.

The internet has always been as safe as you make it; from viruses & phishing to relationships with others and etc. People don't usually learn this lesson until it's too late though and given that people now are raised thinking that the internet is essentially social media, the mistake usually costs them more due to putting all of their information on websites freely.

It's smart what you're doing and if any other women are reading this I recommend in the next 5 years or so scrubbing every old photo of yourself that you can off of the internet (within reason). AI has an incredible ability to fetch and coalesce specific data and attach it to you as an individual.

 

[bèlla]

The age of internet anonymity & privacy died when the social media websites instead of fading into obscurity like was normal; somehow hung on and turned the internet from the wild west into a giant pool of data attached to real-world identities. I think if you remove social media you get rid of a large portion of the threat of doxxing. There will always be websites like Kiwi-Farms and stray individuals who enjoy torturing others but without social media and also real world media (i.e. your Covington example) doxxing goes back to being a peripheral thing like phishing. With the dawning of AI though it's only going to get worse as it will be easier than ever to access and coalesce our individual/unique data. Most websites are a data breach or data leak away from leaking all of your information that you store on that website or at least the vital things, including this one, only to have that data snatched up by nefarious actors.

The internet has always been as safe as you make it; from viruses & phishing to relationships with others and etc. People don't usually learn this lesson until it's too late though and given that people now are raised thinking that the internet is essentially social media, the mistake usually costs them more due to putting all of their information on websites freely.

It's smart what you're doing and if any other women are reading this I recommend in the next 5 years or so scrubbing every old photo of yourself that you can off of the internet (within reason). AI has an incredible ability to fetch and coalesce specific data and attach it to you as an individual.

Everything we do can be used against us at some point. I don't say anything I won't admit on a stage. In respect to social media, I use it professionally and have most interactions outside of this medium. Human connection is important and the virtual world isn't a substitute. If I encounter something I enjoy online I try to find the same real time or as close as possible.

I'll never be out of the matrix so to speak. But I can exercise wisdom while I'm here. I don't know everything about ai but I'm learning and follow the market to hear what they say outside of mainstream media. I don't trust it and know better than to do so.

The solution is simple. Make different choices. Don't go along with everything. Do the opposite. You don't need every gadget or new technology. Most of it is above our heads. We're moving backwards and implementing practices from simpler times that make us less reliant and plugged in.

There is a certain measure of exposure that's unwise without the right tools in place. Many are trying to emulate celebrities but they have security and they're advising them. When that isn't the case you have to be more prudent. The day in the life videos are a great example. Why would you want people to know your patterns, where you shop, eat and so on? Why would you tell them how much money you make? You're asking for a problem.

It's funny when you think about it but it isn't. They see a trend and follow suit and don't consider the risks until its too late as you said.

~bella

 

[Niels]

I’m introverted in real life and mostly avoid public attention. Even if attention can be flattering. There are simple photos of me on LinkedIn, ResearchGate, my LLC’s website, other websites related to my work, and probably on Facebook in group photos. Where it’s necessary or otherwise unavoidable. It's not that I'm totally opposed to it, but I don't go out of my way to find exposure.

Some of my old friends appear to lack any sort of internet presence, while others are actively involved with social media. It's interesting to see who chooses what path. In a way, I admire the former for being so committed to the cause. These days, it's arguably harder to remain anonymous online than not.

I primarily interact with people I know in person and use aliases for personal projects.

With that being said, web searches dredge up a surprising amount of incorrect information about me. AI can do a lot, but it’s only as accurate as the data that’s fed to it. I haven’t been bothered enough to purge or reset my online presence. Maybe someday I’ll hire a service to resolve the issues.

I’ve thought about sharing a few recent photos here of myself in remote locations with parts of my face blurred out, but at that point why bother. Putting a face to a name can go a long way toward making friends and even dating, but if my face is mostly obscured that's more like not sharing anything at all. I shared a few in the past but that was a long time ago.

There probably isn't a right or a wrong approach to this. If you've done your homework and know what the potential pros and cons are, do whatever you're comfortable with.

 

[Tranquil Bondservant]

I’ve thought about sharing a few recent photos here of myself in remote locations with parts of my face blurred out, but at that point why bother. Putting a face to a name can go a long way toward making friends and even dating, but if my face is mostly obscured that's more like not sharing anything at all. I shared a few in the past but that was a long time ago.

There probably isn't a right or a wrong approach to this. If you've done your homework and know what the potential pros and cons are, do whatever you're comfortable with.

There's a line between privacy and paranoia that's different for each person but both pertain to your well-being. There's nothing wrong with sharing a photo if you're in a good group like this one and just want to have some fun. It's more the social media habitual type of posting that has a greater potential to cause issues and increase the chances of accurate information being associated with you, however the people who do that likely aren't concerned with the potential negative effects and honestly will likely never experience them. Another factor to consider is that the type of people who use forums are different than those who use social media. Funnily enough I find forums like this to be more personal than social media; which in theory it should be the opposite given that your face, family, friends & etc are attached to your social media profile.

The only reason I mentioned chicks scrubbing their photos from the internet is because on websites like 4chan (and more nefarious ones) there are threads where people are taking social media photos online of just normal women they know and using AI to remove their clothing. This is only going to increase in the next 5 years or so as it AI becomes more efficient. There's always been that potential with photoshop but unfortunately for those affected it's far more accurate and effecient with AI programs.

As a sidenote: Imo the only way this kind of stuff will be able to be resolved is either government established internet or essentially removing anonymity (similar to China).

 

[TheLastGeek]

I’m introverted in real life and mostly avoid public attention. Even if attention can be flattering. There are simple photos of me on LinkedIn, ResearchGate, my LLC’s website, other websites related to my work, and probably on Facebook in group photos. Where it’s necessary or otherwise unavoidable. It's not that I'm totally opposed to it, but I don't go out of my way to find exposure.

Some of my old friends appear to lack any sort of internet presence, while others are actively involved with social media. It's interesting to see who chooses what path. In a way, I admire the former for being so committed to the cause. These days, it's arguably harder to remain anonymous online than not.

I primarily interact with people I know in person and use aliases for personal projects.

With that being said, web searches dredge up a surprising amount of incorrect information about me. AI can do a lot, but it’s only as accurate as the data that’s fed to it. I haven’t been bothered enough to purge or reset my online presence. Maybe someday I’ll hire a service to resolve the issues.

I’ve thought about sharing a few recent photos here of myself in remote locations with parts of my face blurred out, but at that point why bother. Putting a face to a name can go a long way toward making friends and even dating, but if my face is mostly obscured that's more like not sharing anything at all. I shared a few in the past but that was a long time ago.

There probably isn't a right or a wrong approach to this. If you've done your homework and know what the potential pros and cons are, do whatever you're comfortable with.

The right approach is whatever makes you comfortable, Miles.

 

[TheLastGeek]

There's a line between privacy and paranoia that's different for each person but both pertain to your well-being. There's nothing wrong with sharing a photo if you're in a good group like this one and just want to have some fun. It's more the social media habitual type of posting that has a greater potential to cause issues and increase the chances of accurate information being associated with you, however the people who do that likely aren't concerned with the potential negative effects and honestly will likely never experience them. Another factor to consider is that the type of people who use forums are different than those who use social media. Funnily enough I find forums like this to be more personal than social media; which in theory it should be the opposite given that your face, family, friends & etc are attached to your social media profile.

The only reason I mentioned chicks scrubbing their photos from the internet is because on websites like 4chan (and more nefarious ones) there are threads where people are taking social media photos online of just normal women they know and using AI to remove their clothing. This is only going to increase in the next 5 years or so as it AI becomes more efficient. There's always been that potential with photoshop but unfortunately for those affected it's far more accurate and effecient with AI programs.

As a sidenote: Imo the only way this kind of stuff will be able to be resolved is either government established internet or essentially removing anonymity (similar to China).

Oddly, I find this somewhat hilarious, as no AI could possibly get my unclothed form remotely accurate in appearance. Have at it, AI.

 

[bèlla]

There's a line between privacy and paranoia that's different for each person but both pertain to your well-being. There's nothing wrong with sharing a photo if you're in a good group like this one and just want to have some fun. It's more the social media habitual type of posting that has a greater potential to cause issues and increase the chances of accurate information being associated with you, however the people who do that likely aren't concerned with the potential negative effects and honestly will likely never experience them. Another factor to consider is that the type of people who use forums are different than those who use social media. Funnily enough I find forums like this to be more personal than social media; which in theory it should be the opposite given that your face, family, friends & etc are attached to your social media profile.

If privacy is a concern forums are worse in the long run. People reveal significantly more about themselves in this setting. And the volume of data is massive because the posts are longer. They're more likely to be vulnerable and share painful or embarrassing experiences. Things they would never admit on social media. You can learn more about them as result. Their opinions, hopes and fears, challenges, growth and so on. Few people use them intentionally.

That's where the 'I won't say anything I can't admit on a stage comes from.' I never discuss my problems or ask for insight. You won't find a thread here or anywhere else. I've never done it. While I share my opinions and answer questions there's a theme. There's topics I don't touch and levels of expression too.

I've been a fly on the wall for years. Most people on the Internet are living double lives or have secrets they don't want to get out. But I tell it before others can. My loved ones know everything. The sites I've frequented, the people I've met, including men, and my experiences good and bad.

Because there's no such thing anonymity. I knew that with dial up. They could trace the connection. I reasoned you tell it now or it comes out later and decided to be honest. I didn't want anything over my head. I know what it is and treat it accordingly.

~bella

 

[LoveDivine]

If privacy is a concern forums are worse in the long run. People reveal significantly more about themselves in this setting. And the volume of data is massive because the posts are longer. They're more likely to be vulnerable and share painful or embarrassing experiences. Things they would never admit on social media. You can learn more about them as result. Their opinions, hopes and fears, challenges, growth and so on. Few people use them intentionally.

That's where the 'I won't say anything I can't admit on a stage comes from.' I never discuss my problems or ask for insight. You won't find a thread here or anywhere else. I've never done it. While I share my opinions and answer questions there's a theme. There's topics I don't touch and levels of expression too.

I've been a fly on the wall for years. Most people on the Internet are living double lives or have secrets they don't want to get out. But I tell it before others can. My loved ones know everything. The sites I've frequented, the people I've met, including men, and my experiences good and bad.

Because there's no such thing anonymity. I knew that with dial up. They could trace the connection. I reasoned you tell it now or it comes out later and decided to be honest. I didn't want anything over my head. I know what it is and treat it accordingly.

~bella

I'm the same. I won't share very personal details online or strong political opinions. I also never ask for advice for personal issues for that same reason. Sharing photos doesn't worry me too much: you almost can't escape having an image of yourself shared online somewhere ( whether on social media or a Professional site/ work website). I shared my photo here a few times in the past.

With cancel culture being so strong, I'm very careful about posting any controversial opinions online. I make an exception for sharing my Christian views on sites like this. If I do get cancelled or in trouble for sharing something I want it to be for my faith in Christ; not my political views.

 

[bèlla]

I'm the same. I won't share very personal details online or strong political opinions. I also never ask for advice for personal issues for that same reason. Sharing photos doesn't worry me too much: you almost can't escape having an image of yourself shared online somewhere ( whether on social media or a Professional site/ work website). I shared my photo here a few times in the past.

Some things relate to me and others are spiritual. There are topics the Lord has forbidden me to discuss because I don't have a covering. That's not to say its absent but its a question of authority and anointing. There's things I can't address here that I can discuss elsewhere because its aligned. I'm called to serve that demographic and attacks are thwarted. But if I veer from that assignment its fair game. But that doesn't set aside divine appointments. He curbs my helpfulness to minimize attacks. That's why I don't come very often. I can feel the arrows. It's quiet for a few days then it starts.

With cancel culture being so strong, I'm very careful about posting any controversial opinions online. I make an exception for sharing my Christian views on sites like this. If I do get cancelled or in trouble for sharing something I want it to be for my faith in Christ; not my political views.

I agree. If I have to fall on a sword it will be over God. Not politics or anything else.

~bella

 

[aNewMan]

I think I’m going to spare you guys that. My Mom thinks I’m cute, it’s a miracle I had girlfriends before.

 

[sampa]

So these is the best I can do as far as posting a picture of myself. They are reflections.ill probably take them down in the next 48 hours though.

 

[DragonFox91]

Don't take them down. You look great & it's good to hear from you again.

 

[sampa]

Don't take them down. You look great & it's good to hear from you again.

Thanks. I'll think about it as there's a lot of people that come on here that I don't know. Great to see you still here @DragonFox91 How was 2023 for you?

 

[DragonFox91]

Thanks. I'll think about it as there's a lot of people that come on here that I don't know. Great to see you still here @DragonFox91 How was 2023 for you?

It was good. Thank you. I am establishing myself in a good church group. I've really been trying to find one the past few years & I finally found one I liked that teaches soundly & the people are genuine. I can't wait to see what God will do
It's really the same ol' crew here as before.

 

[sampa]

It was good. Thank you. I am establishing myself in a good church group. I've really been trying to find one the past few years & I finally found one I liked that teaches soundly & the people are genuine. I can't wait to see what God will do
It's really the same ol' crew here as before.

Praise God! Good news indeed

 

[Emmanuel__]

Here's a picture of me and my buddy. We've been friends for over 10 years. He recently got married and moved, so now I'm all alone. (Gen. 2:18)

Anyway, this is my first post on CF and I'm happy to be here. Peace!!

 

[GodAndChocolateVanilla]

....No I am not brave enough.

But here is a picture of a Beautiful Adorable Snow Leopard Gecko!! ^w^ =3

 

[Emmanuel__]

....No I am not brave enough.

But here is a picture of a Beautiful Adorable Snow Leopard Gecko!! ^w^ =3

View attachment 349119

... That's so cute!

 

[.Mikha'el.]

....No I am not brave enough.

But here is a picture of a Beautiful Adorable Snow Leopard Gecko!! ^w^ =3

View attachment 349119

That is okay. Some of us here have seen what you look like.

 

[SarahsKnight]

That is okay. Some of us here have seen what you look like.

And she's cute, too.