Det översta mailet från perlisten Sean M. Burke i dagens digest från RSS-dev fick mig att skratta till.
This touches on a serious problem: the bozo bit in the online world is quite sticky. That is, once you (e.g., Dave Winer) have convinced people you’re a fool, they stay convinced. It becomes a visceral reaction: show people the string »From: Dave Winer« and they will grit their teeth. And some say that this is as it should be.> But a problem arises when avowed kooks, dorks, and halfwits suddenly shape up, and start being at least marginally sane. I assure you, I’ve seen this happen. The causes can involve neuroendocrinology, psychopharmacology, added dietary fiber, Chinese accubeating, or a good talking to. But the result is what’s important: out-of-date infamy that leaves a sort-of okay person laboring under the public shame of their past behavior which they
are quite unlikely to resist…