Death & Social Networking

// October 29th, 2007 // Logical Emotions

I came across a rather interesting question on LinkedIn Answers from Kevin Lee, Executive Chairman at Didit:

If a person passes away, what should happen to their various online profiles?

I’m not being morbid… This may become important some time soon.

The issue starts with profiles in Myspace, Facebook and LinkedIn, but extends to vanity personal domains, and all the inbound and outbound links, the comments made across blogs, etc.

What should happen if a person passes away? Should their profile stay frozen, should their passing be documented through comments or more officially? Should special archives be created? How will links and discussions be preserved, or should they be?

You can view the responses, here.

What do you think? Have you thought about it?

Popularity: 28% [?]

2 Responses to “Death & Social Networking”

  1. DamienNo Gravatar says:
    October 29, 2007 at 1:39 pm

    Here’s an interesting plugin:

    http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/next-of-kin/

  2. William TullyNo Gravatar says:
    October 29, 2007 at 2:37 pm

    I love the FAQ on the plugin page:

    Why do I need to use a plugin like this? I’m going to live for ever!
    No, you’re not.

    Although the email out to loved ones telling them what to do with the blog might be useful, however, I think I’d send an email to the “blog by email” part of WP so that I could post from beyond.. You know, stack up about 10 posts to fire off each week after you die to give the illusion that you’re still around. You wouldn’t be around to moderate comments so throw them wide open and speak your mind for one (well, 10) last time(s)! ;)

    My question is: Damien, how did you know this plugin exists?!

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