Are There Computer, Technology and Internet Ethics?
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Are Ethics important… especially in relation to Technology. I had an email from Justin, asking questions about Ethics on the Internet.
- How would you define the computer Ethics in today’s digital world? Honesty and Transparency. Those are likely the terms you’ll hear thrown about in relation to Ethics. You must be transparent and honest about the things you are doing. The tools to publish are easier to access, and more affordable these days. Ethics isn’t always inherent. It comes down to trusting the person who may be doing or saying something. If you’ve run across a blog post that’s a raving review of a new product… how do you know they have any credibility? How do you know it’s not a paid endorsement if it isn’t disclosed? That’s the point… it wasn’t disclosed. You just have to trust that the author is telling the truth. I tell people exactly what’s going on… I don’t hide anything, much to many people’s chagrin.
- Is it important for Social Networking sites to enforce Ethical behavior on said sites? If you’re promoting anything that may be considered illegal, then yes. Sites like YouTube must take care of those issues. Also keep in mind that each website you sign up for has Terms of Use. If you violate those, then the sites can and will pull your content from public view. I’m under the belief that a community will raise more red flags than a website itself. Thankfully, the general population cries “FOUL” when seeing illegal and unethical content. When it comes down to personal attacks… that is unethical behavior. If you don’t like someone because of something they believe in, respond to them appropriately. Attack the opinion, never the person.
- Is there a true code of Ethics regarding computer use and practices of it on the Web? You may have seen the movie “Office Space”. It was justified by the perpetrators of this white-collar crime that it’s “only pennies” that they were taking. However, it’s not Ethical behavior. They were stealing money that they weren’t entitled to have. The Code of Ethics that one might adhere to depends on the tool, the technology and the community in which they exist. If you’re going to try to enforce Ethics inside of a community who has none… you’re fighting a losing battle unfortunately. How do you feel when someone creates a piece of Malware? Does that person have Ethics? Maybe they have a different perspective. Where do you draw the line? Who are we to decide what someone else’s Code of Ethics should be?
This is one thing that keeps me live streaming.. it keeps me honest. The Blogosphere keeps everyone honest. If I do or say something wrong… believe me, I hear about it. I get upset more than you would believe when someone accuses me of something I didn’t do. I have a hard time getting past that hurdle. I admit when I’m wrong. I will eat Crow when I need to be. If I made a mistake on the Web, the mistake is there. It’s done. It can’t be removed.
I try my best to live my life by the Golden Rule. “Do unto others…” I give everyone that trust until it’s broken. It’s gotten me in trouble in the past. There are many people out there who can’t be trusted, unfortunately. But then again… there are so many who can be.
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