I googled myself yesterday, and I wasn’t at all surprised when the Google couldn’t find me (at least, it took them a page or two to turn up anything relevant). I have scrupulously inspected the privacy settings for browsers and email and set them to the maximum level. I’ve made a concerted effort to be almost entirely anonymous on the internets – no facebook, no twitter, no photos on the homepage of my former department. Apparently, other people who share my namesake have not done the same – they are everywhere! I consider this a boon.
I’ve never particularly wanted a web presence. Moreover, I’ve never particularly wanted a public presence. I value my anonymity. Maybe it’s the ethnographer in me, but I like being one in a crowd.
