Do we really want our picture to be taken everywhere?
Twenty years ago, a night out was just that—a night out. Today, it’s different.
I recently watched a discussion where two guys reminisced about partying in the early 2000s. After agreeing how great it was, one of them said:
👉 "Well, you can’t do that anymore… unless you’re okay with someone posting a picture of you somewhere, with all the ****storm that follows."
That’s the world we live in now. Whether at a bar, a park, or even a private event, there’s always a camera nearby. But how did we get here, and what does it mean for how we behave?
📌 The Psychological Shift: Why Cameras Change Us
🔹 From Experience to Performance – Knowing we might be recorded makes us self-monitor and act “socially acceptable” at all times. Real moments get filtered through the question: How will this look later?
🔹 Fear of the Permanent Record – A bad joke, a dumb face, a moment of bad luck—what used to be forgotten now lives online forever, open to judgment from people who weren’t even there.
🔹 The Death of the Private Self – We used to be different people in different settings. Now, since any moment could be captured, our “public” self takes over, even in private moments.
⚖️ But Is This Even Legal?
Can anyone just take a photo of you in public and post it online? It depends on the country:
📌 In many places (e.g., U.S., U.K.) – Public spaces = fair game. If you’re outside, anyone can photograph you. Posting is usually allowed unless it’s defamatory or used for commercial purposes without consent.
📌 In Germany & much of Europe – Privacy laws (like GDPR) offer stronger protections. Posting identifiable images without permission can be legally challenged.
📌 Private spaces? If a venue has “no photography” rules, photos could violate house rights. And if someone films you inside your own home through a window, that’s an invasion of privacy.
📢 What Can You Do If You Don’t Want to Be in a Photo?
If someone takes your picture and you’re not comfortable with it, here’s how you can politely ask them to delete or not post it:
1️⃣ Casual approach – "Hey, I’d rather not be in this photo—would you mind deleting it?"
2️⃣ Polite but firm – "I know this was taken in public, but I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t share it online."
3️⃣ Privacy-first request – "For privacy reasons, I don’t consent to this being posted. Could we find a solution?"
Most people don’t want conflict. A respectful request often works—but it helps to know your rights.
🤔 So, How Do You Feel About This?
Are you fine with being recorded everywhere, or do you think this has gone too far? Do you ever ask people to delete a picture of you?
Disclaimer
The companies and organizations mentioned in this article are referenced for informational and analytical purposes only. All discussions about their potential roles and interests in space-based data centers are based on publicly available information and do not imply any endorsement, partnership, or direct involvement unless explicitly stated. The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not reflect the official positions of the companies mentioned. All trademarks, logos, and company names are the property of their respective owners.
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