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Dear NPR, "delete" isn't the solution in this case
From NPR today, Is Sexting Cheating? Read This Before You Hit 'Send' covers the problems Rep. Weiner and others are facing after engaging in dumb behavior.
The story ends with this conclusion:
Blake's advice, for ordinary sexters and high-profile politicians alike: delete, delete, delete.
In other words, the best advice for someone sending this stuff is "be sure to delete the lewd message from your Sent Items."
Really, NPR? That's the solution?
(It's not often that I disagree with "delete," but really.)
From the article: Even when committed couples are zinging photos back and forth, Blake offers words of caution.
I think, from reading it, that her "delete, delete, delete" comment was related to that penultimate paragraph about the embarrassment of them being seen by another person even in the committed-couple context.
And then the writer mangled that by making it appear to be her general advice for cheaters.
In my experience, it's not often I disagree with NPR. I think the best resolution is never to have hit 'Sent' at all.
@Sigvald - note - "for ordinary sexters and high-profile politicians alike" - to end the story on that note suggests that it's being proposed as a general solution, not just for "committed couples."
To state the obvious, the better solution would be "don't do stupid stuff like sending lewd texts."
Ignoring all other features of the story; hitting delete on a tweet is like saying 'I didn't mean it' after shouting something at a cocktail party. It's already out there.
But in the case of tweets, it's archived, RTed, indexed, and saved on multiple servers with multiple services outside the reach of the delete button.
@Paul: good point.. "delete" has very little to do with anything, when you're talking about outgoing bits. Even in email, deleting an already-sent mail doesn't help.
Stepping back, the real learning is - don't type anything into an email/tweet/text that you wouldn't want reprinted in the national media.
I had to comment on this. What boggles my mind is what had to happen for that to happen.
1. Point cellphone at crotch.
2. Think it is a good idea to take photo of crotch with cellphone.
3. Take photo of crotch.
4. Look at photo of crotch on cellphone.
5. Think it is a good idea to share said photo with someone.
6. Type someone's name in the "send" box.
7. Attach photo of crotch.
8. Hit send.
Really?
Mark: Yes, but again, the bit you reasonably take objection to was to all appearances written by the journalist, not Mrs. Blake.
(In other words, it sure seems like the journalist decided to make Blake's advice less nuanced than it was and read "edgier".
That's all I was responding to; the reporter's putting words - effectively - in Blake's mouth.
"Delete" as advice for politicians sending messages they shouldn't is, agreed, bad advice... especially since it can't work, in that context.)
Don't be so quick to judge. I remember a time when I accidentally mailed a picture of my penis to EVERYONE in my address book!
It was incredibly embarrassing and also cost a fortune in stamps.
I'll get my coat.
Mark - that's it! If you can't stand the thought of seeing it on the front page of the NY Times, don't send it.