The other day, Quid announced (for Fahim) that there were openings for a Sri-Lanka based magazine. I've e-mailed Fahim since then, and things are looking up. I told my dad the about the magazine and how I might be able to contribute. How did he take it? Not well at all.
He's developed this irrational bias that everyone on the Internet is a fraudulent criminal out to steal identities and credit card numbers. He told me never to give out personal information over the Internet. I agree, that in most cases, you shouldn't be dealing out your social security number to unknown Internet personalities. But there are a select number of cases wherein releasing personal information isn't wrong. My theory is that if someone as well known as quid, with however many posts, has an affilition with the Mafia, others would have identified her.
My dad doesn't understand the nature of Hatrack's community. Although I'm relatively new, it's evident that people here are honest. How can I explain this to my dad in a most convincing fashion?
I'm going to assume you are underage. Until you reach legal age, we (as Hatrackers) encourage you to obey your parents in this matter. If you have the opportunity though, please come to a gathering with a parent/guardian. You just can't be too careful.
Posts: 2064 | Registered: Dec 2003
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I agree, and my dad is pretty much the same way. He has this fear of viruses, spyware, and identity theft that goes beyond the normal or rational. He won't buy things from ANYWHERE online using his credit card (yet he gives the same companies his number over the phone, and they're stored in the same database. ) Luckily, he doesn't care what I do as long as I do it on OUR computer, not his.
Why not get him to come to a Hatrack get-together? Then he might trust us more. Or less, depending on who shows up.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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Oh. I was assuming you are of legal age. If not, disregard everything I just said and listen to Val.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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I used to have the same problem, but unfortunately I don't have any ideas for you. My dad only loosened up over a period of years because he saw for himself that the benefits of the Internet often outweighed the risks, assuming you use a little common sense.
Has anyone received anthrax from breyerchic04?
Posts: 1762 | Registered: Apr 2006
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He has a right to be suspicious. Sending private information to Sri Lanka is, in fact, on the sketchy side of things.
Posts: 433 | Registered: Feb 2005
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My mom's the same way. There's no convincing her. She thinks all my online friends are evil sleazebag predators, until she meets them, when she decides those particular people are sweet awesome people, but firmly persists in believing all the rest are still evil sleazebag predators. (This belief also speaks volumes about her confidence in my wisdom and judgement.)
Posts: 6246 | Registered: Aug 2004
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Just explain that, on the contrary, you're the fraudulent criminal stealing identities and credit card numbers, and you're just trying to gain everyone else's trust.
Posts: 13680 | Registered: Mar 2002
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Jumbo: I can whistle the theme song to "FBI in peace and war" and I know all the words to "Teddy Bears Picnic" from "The Big John and Sparky show". Unless your Dad can do that, I am older than he is. I would send my SSAN to Quid, assuming that I could remember where I have it written. And, I would even be willing to call and talk to your Dad, if you thought it would do any good. However, Valentine has the right answer. It's his call. Do what he says while you are in his house and are his responsibility.
Posts: 1167 | Registered: Oct 2005
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I also know all the words to "The Teddy Bears' Picnic." So does Enigmatic, except that he always sings "Watch them, catch them unaware" as "Watch them catch their underwear."
I'm pretty sure neither of us are older than Artemisia, though.
Posts: 9866 | Registered: Apr 2002
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Um, JumboWumbo, here's the thing... I do have connections to the Mafia... *snort*
This thread was a hoot and a joy to behold. Special thanks go to dkw.
Jumbo, if you're underage, your parents, no matter how old they are, do have the right to set the rules and do their best to protect you from the evil influences in the world. They're right to do that, so yeah, like others said, listen to them.
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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