4 ms·

Is this much different than many other technological changes in history? Most benefit a large group of people, while having negative consequences for the smalle

Is this much different than many other technological changes in history? Most benefit a large group of people, while having negative consequences for the smaller group. I'm not sure what you mean about the photos thing, but there is obviously a benefiting party from the digital background checks. People can get a sense of folks they might date, and potentially avoid dangerous situations. It sucks that that hurts you (assuming your criminal record is not one that people ought to consider dangerous -- if it is, I'm really not sure what to say). But there is a huge group of people that benefit from the increased safety potentially offered by the ability to check up on potential dating partners. Or, to put it succinctly, why does your interest in hiding your past outweigh the interest of others to know who they are dealing with?

xivzgrev 12y ago
I don't think it's trying to bury information. I think it's fear that people will jump to conclusion. Say you do a background check on a promising candidate and they have a felony. You may automatically pass on them. Even if they don't, you're branded as a risk for ever. Let's say you murdered someone and you e done your time. You're a risk. Maybe it was a crime of passion, but you're more liable to do again than someone who has never done it. So, pass. While it makes sense from a cold, society level view, what is that person supposed to do if they really want to rehabilitate? Start an online ebay business I suppose...
- draugadrotten 12y ago
  > While it makes sense from a cold, society level view, what is that person supposed to do if they really want to rehabilitate? Build trust - it will literally take years, or even decades, but with time and effort you can earn the trust of the person in front of you, and build from there.
meric 12y ago
Most benefit a large group of people, negative consequences for a smaller group, and provide extreme benefits to a small tiny group. In terms of Social - Look at youtube videos with millions of views, people spending more time than ever reading about celebrities every ten minutes instead of people around them. Before internet people look at celebrities once a day during their TV sessions, and even before that, only listen about them on radio. And because people's attention is generally a zero-sum pie, without taking into account population growth, people who weren't good at attracting attention to begin with will lose out.
- cafard 12y ago
  Do you shop at supermarkets? If the store isn't Whole Foods, chances are that the checkout aisle is racked with People Magazine, US, and goes on down from there.
coldtea 12y ago
>Is this much different than many other technological changes in history? Most benefit a large group of people, while having negative consequences for the smaller group. Not sure. Some seem to benefit small groups while having negative consequences for the larger groups.

xivzgrev 12y ago

I don't think it's trying to bury information. I think it's fear that people will jump to conclusion. Say you do a background check on a promising candidate and they have a felony. You may automatically pass on them. Even if they don't, you're branded as a risk for ever. Let's say you murdered someone and you e done your time. You're a risk. Maybe it was a crime of passion, but you're more liable to do again than someone who has never done it. So, pass. While it makes sense from a cold, society level view, what is that person supposed to do if they really want to rehabilitate? Start an online ebay business I suppose...

draugadrotten 12y ago
> While it makes sense from a cold, society level view, what is that person supposed to do if they really want to rehabilitate? Build trust - it will literally take years, or even decades, but with time and effort you can earn the trust of the person in front of you, and build from there.

meric 12y ago

Most benefit a large group of people, negative consequences for a smaller group, and provide extreme benefits to a small tiny group. In terms of Social - Look at youtube videos with millions of views, people spending more time than ever reading about celebrities every ten minutes instead of people around them. Before internet people look at celebrities once a day during their TV sessions, and even before that, only listen about them on radio. And because people's attention is generally a zero-sum pie, without taking into account population growth, people who weren't good at attracting attention to begin with will lose out.

cafard 12y ago
Do you shop at supermarkets? If the store isn't Whole Foods, chances are that the checkout aisle is racked with People Magazine, US, and goes on down from there.

coldtea 12y ago

>Is this much different than many other technological changes in history? Most benefit a large group of people, while having negative consequences for the smaller group. Not sure. Some seem to benefit small groups while having negative consequences for the larger groups.