Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
He notes that people now Google before first dates, seeing it as a real trend, and mentions DARPA’s involvement in cyberwar propaganda.
In plain terms
People Google before dates; it's a trend, and DARPA uses similar tactics for cyberwar propaganda.
What can you take from it?
Digital background checks have become normal in personal interactions.

Where it applies

  • first dates
  • online networking

Putting it to work

  • research personal social media before meetings
  • be aware of data privacy

Questions to consider

  • When is it appropriate to research someone online?
  • How does this affect authenticity?

Another view

Not all pre‑date research is harmful; motivations vary.

More from Bruce Sterling

  1. I like to get paid for doing basic research, so it's pleasant to write some nonfiction about it.

    Permalink to quote #19
  2. I used to think that cyberspace was fifty years away. What I thought was fifty years away, was only ten years away. And what I thought was ten years away... it…

    Permalink to quote #21
  3. I haven't had that good a time in ages. Since September 11, really. I just felt so happy, it was like the sun came out of the clouds for me. I love Italy.

    Permalink to quote #18

Related quotes

  1. Now I lay me down to sleep Knowing that your lenses peep Now I eat my daily bread And into the tape spool I'll be fed

    Andy PartridgeAndy Partridge quote #3
  2. A security cam is one small part of a much larger universe of cams. The much larger effect, socially, politically and economically, is going to come from a muc…

    Bruce SterlingBruce Sterling quote #5
  3. Even crushed against his brother in the Tube the average Englishman pretends desperately that he is alone.

    Germaine GreerGermaine Greer quote #7