Joesph - it's not surprising that TechCrunch's Arrington, given his tendency to share randomly radical views, push the proverbial envelope (recall: controversy over publicly disclosing Twitter internal docs) and call attention to er..well, himself, really.

However, to your point and those of others—my guess being a silent majority—the underlying reality is quite different.

When I read this passage from Arringtard (a name I've seen used by others on Twitter):

"We’re going to be forced to adjust as a society. I firmly believe that we will simply become much more accepting of indiscretions over time. Employers just won’t care that ridiculous drunk college pictures pop up about you when they do a HR background search on you."

my first reaction was "okay, and what have YOU been smoking? what planet do you think you're on?"

Such sweeping propositions are simply quite out-of-touch with how society actually works. Not only are such suggestions sorely naive (oh yeah sure 'force society to adjust'—who says these things?) but also indirectly mock the very serious and intricate dynamics of socialization on all levels, whether such social perceptions or interactions occur live or online. Moreover, those already leery of social media to begin with would come across this infantile posturing and may well look at it and say "see? told you so..social media's a crock."

I typically appreciate diverse, frank points of view on both longstanding and evolving social norms and behaviour, as all forms of opinion in that area of study are worthy of analysis intelligible or not.

But that TC post was weak and true-to-form sensationalist. I wish so-called influential tech bloggers would just get over their own hubris and focus on *educating* the public on the more tangible value people can obtain from technology's intensely rapid evolution, instead of getting distracted and carrying on as if they were rebellious, maudlin high school geeks entrapped within their 'radical', insular existence.

Yikes. Did I say all that? Yep. I did.

Yep, you said it - and I'm very glad you did. I was a bit apprehensive about using the analogy of drinking behind the wheel, but this really was a post - like you said - that made me wonder "what is this guy smoking."

I couldn't agree more with:

TC post was weak and true-to-form sensationalist.

Certinaly one of the most sweeping and powerful statements in your comment.

Thanks Autom!

I agree, serious transgressions will not be overlooked.

However, as the current college generation matures, they will look back at their own mistakes differently than the current generation does. Right now, the majority of observers did not have to live in a world where that drinking binge was captured by someone's cell phone and posted to Facebook. Therefore, we look at any such action as being reckless and we judge them--maybe too harshly.

The next generation will have empathy for those types of situations. So, you are right, major transgressions will not receive a "get out of reputation jail free" card, but minor faux pas will not have the same impact on one's reputation.

That's more than 140 characters would let me share! ;-)

Hi Andy,

First off, thanks for stopping-by our blog.

I appreciate and completely respect your point of view on the topic - it does make logical sense that the pragmatism or "new" ways of thinking will eventually have it's way with revising the "old." This potentially could mean an increasing tolerance or "fashion" for things we currently find unacceptable or repulsive.

I guess what's most worrisome aside from the slippery slope argument is that we might find ourselves placing conditions on the things we accept as "cool" or "taboo", and how that might lead to undue reputation risk.

Today, we sort of see this type of thing play out with companies jumping on the edgy campaigns or even those jumping on the "green" bandwagon. While there are good intentions behind the initiative, the reaction could get quite heated if online audiences perceive it as being crude, insensitive, misinformed or as hype-driven greenwash that does more harm than good.

On your last point, our ability to forgive and regard incidents, people and reputations with greater empathy is certainly a redeeming aspect of the social Web that gives us reason to look towards the future with hope and optimism.