Should you share stories about your own mistakes online?
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@evan If you want to and think that they're helpful stories, sure, but you shouldn't treat the internet as a place to confess and be absolved. It won't work out how you might hope.
@evan if it involves a third party, redact their details, even if -- no especially if -- any of it was their fault. Oh, and if it's about the thing you get paid for, consider the potential implications on your career for more than just "should I... hmmm OK" before you do it (or at the very least, find the best LinkedIn positivity-twist to the outcome you can).
@evan Yes, but you should exaggerate the consequences of your folly for comedic effect, if possible.
This is almost over, and I'm going to answer now.
I am a yes, but it's ok not to.
I think it helps you to say things out loud; it makes them feel less overwhelming. If you can share it, you can bear it.
You also will get some number of people who'll tell you it's not so bad. You probably could have got there yourself, but it's good to hear it from others.
It can also help others to hear that their friends and peers are fallible. That we all make mistakes.
So, yes but.
@evan I answered "No, but...".
I believe the general public share too many personal details online via various social media platforms. This oversharing significantly reduces their privacy, opening them up to risks of identity theft.
But sometimes sharing mistakes can be valuable and even shared with a lot of personal details left out.
I think defaulting to "no, but..." keeps you safer than defaulting to "yes, but...". There is a time and place, and you should weigh those risks.
@atoponce What about with a "friends only" distribution?
@evan no, but learning is full with sandbox mistakes.
@evan Crap. I clicked on the wrong option. ;)
@evan Yes if it adds value. I'll post an example soon.
@amcooper I was going to say that, but I thought it was too slangy!
@evan
This seems to have an intersection with I am willing to help vs Can I ask for help. I put no but now I am not sure.
@evan Yes but, …
… it depends on the kind of mistake
@evan no, but you MAY do so. But you don't need to to be compliant with RFC 2119.
Like wearing hoodies at work, this tends to play out differently depending on where you fall in a status hierarchy. There should be no one size fits all recommendation here.
@evan
YB...
In the dark forest of scammers and haters and trolls (oh my), it is necessary to do this carefully to avoid pile-ons, dunks, and other damaging reactions.
There are always human hyenas looking for a weak spot. There's certain kinds of minds who feel a need to do this. May they find some peace and be cured.
But if you try to be invulnerable, you lose authenticity and relatability. You contribute to the illusion that there is some elite who sit at the top of the "meritocracy", instead of people just trying their best. The worst trap, of course, is if you start to believe that myth yourself. Easy enough to do.
@evan Generally yes but some mistakes may include references to other people and organizations so you have to be careful about confidentiality.
