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Comment by TeMPOraL | Hacker News Reader

I always considered this to be an upside. Being googlable always felt to me like a synonym to existing; it's a way for potential employers to see that I know stuff because of all the texts and hobby projects; for potential future spouses/other people to see that I'm an interesting person who does something creative, etc.

Funny how I didn't notice when being easily googlable started to be considered a bad thing.

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Then you've never had a bad run-in with someone who was decidedly unhinged.

I admit I haven't, though I know people who had. I wonder how many people encounter such situation.

I'm not sure. I've been lucky enough to not have to worry about it, but I've definitely seen it (mostly of the "stalker" variety) and can easily understand why someone would want to remain on the "down low".

I don't mean to pile on you personally, but this issue always pushes my buttons. It seems like whenever it comes up, there's always those who are absolutely incredulous that anyone wouldn't want to be all over the internet. Worse, I've even seen the reaction where some people think that it means the person must be untrustworthy, as if they are the ones who did something wrong.

If someone wants to be all over the front page of Google when someone searches their name, I think that's fine if that's what they want. Just don't assume that everyone wants (or should want) the same thing.

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