Schrodinger-ing

Increased online anonymity. I’ve been trying to do this recently while maintaining a digital footprint as minimum verification of my existence. I recently learned that what is available about you online can be utilized as a trap. Imagine this scenario: you receive communication from a legit individual that an unnamed entity has name dropped you as a good fit for some adventure. You know it’s legit, because it is a legit project. The communication seems flattering on the surface, but it’s not through proper channels. So you thank them for the message and direct them to the standard ‘aboveboard’ procedure, which they decline to go through. Like Ultron sending you a text message saying that you were recommended to be included in the roster of folks who will be deployed in the next SpaceX mission to the ISS, because some unnamed person mentioned to him that you are an expert in docking. You’ve never docked a spacecraft before and then you remember writing a general interest article about your fascination about docking simulators. And you also remember that a similar tactic was done to you by someone with whom you experienced toxic business with (let’s say Count Dracula) who once copy-pasted your details from online and messaged you saying that they have a deadline the next day and needed you to sign off as part of a new Sokovian project that you only found out about at that moment and that they already prepped your profile and everything (the stars collided in your favour and you got out of it). Now you put two and two together: Supervillain and Vampire. Wow. If this were a film, I guess you’d be a character that gets thrust into an unfortunate situation. I think that’s a naughty way to operate, eh? Habitually twist someone’s arm? If you were close friends or if you’ve had a long-standing professional relationship, that may be acceptable. Otherwise, it’s not palatable. You can look at it in the light of, perhaps, an opportunity for growth. Who wouldn’t want to go to Space? Sure, that’s a valid point to consider. But being attached to strings connected to Ultron and Count Dracula? That may be a quick choice for some and not for others. Consider this an exercise in personal ethics.