Online reputation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
One's online reputation is similar to the conventional concept of reputation, but in cyberspace. In cyberspace, reputations can be easily made due to the high transfer of information. But they can also be easily broken, due to the lingering, semi-permanent nature of the world wide web, especially the general existence of sockpuppets (easily created pseudonyms).
An online reputation is often achieved while in a pseudonymous state. A digital reputation can be useful in situations where credibility must be established, but exposure of one's real life identity is undesirable or possibly hazardous.
A good example of this is in the novel Ender's Game, in which Peter and Valentine utilize their pseudonymity to great effect on the most influential political discussion forums, despite their youth.
[edit] Wikipedia's role
Many people have expressed Criticism of Wikipedia due to the articles written about them. Public figures such as Jack Sarfatti, Harlan Ellison, John Byrne and Ashida Kim have actively voiced concern that Wikipedia has been used to deliberately sabotage their online reputations.
