What is the purpose of 'reputation'?

[MikeyMagic]

"Your reputation precedes you.."

"They have a reputation for that sort of thing.."

"Best to stay away from someone with a reputation like that!"

Reputation! reputation!...Repeat the tuition!

This is something I am still having difficulty integrating into my personality as 'I' brashly and brazenly tumble through my life.

Often this has led many people to place assumptions about my character, whether correct or not, that seem to define peoples expectations of me.

Expectations! HA! Why should I conform to an opinion of another?

Right or wrong?

Good or bad?

Such defining limits my free movement as I wave up and down dancing to the rhythm of my life.

MY LIFE, not YOURS!

I define me not you!

Reputation seems like a good idea to help dissipate the fears of others that have had little first hand experience with me, or perhaps they create fears?

When another views upon me, they tend to see what THEY expect, what THEY desire, and what THEY fear!

I have seldom cared how others view me, nor attempted to paint myself as anything more than I feel at any particular time.

Which changes on a regular basis!

Yet others cling to that fleeting image cast in the reflection of the stream of time trying to crystallize me into their perceived reality.

So often the perception of others falls so far short of what I feel I truly am (be that good or bad), that I have made a hobby of breaking those expectations.

Laughing at the stunned surprise I see on peoples faces!

But then again, you probably already gathered that from words I assigned to my profile..

Even there, reputation raises its head in the form of a number.

What is the purpose of this number?

Can my 'reputation' within my seed saver group as "Cute but quirky" be sold into this number?

Can I exchange these reputation points for a "Corroberee" Hat/T-shirt or coffee mug?

What does reputation mean to you (if anything)?

What does YOUR reputation mean to you?

Do you define yourself how others see you?

Or are you as brazen as a stone monkey?

[MikeyMagic]

Perhaps people take their reputation too seriously to talk about it with some one willing to exchange theirs for a coffee mug!

(I really could use coffee mugs more, they keep jumping out of my hand! It only takes one amazing deed for me to gain a good rep! Easily done!)

Edited January 27, 2014 by MikeyMagic

[ThunderIdeal]

having a reputation is similar to but not exactly the same as being judged. reputations can be utilities. they're important in a community like this and anywhere else that one party wants some evidence of the other parties reliability and goodwill before giving them a degree of valuable trust.

the immature judgmental shit is not so useful, but its good to be known for your strengths and weaknesses then you don't need to waste any effort convincing people that you'll be dependable for a particular task, or that your opinion carries weight, or whatever else! judgment works both ways and just because some people are quick to judge everything through their narrow worldview, or project their faults onto everyone else, doesn't mean the entire concept is broken.

without making your personality known through trades and discussions, you are just another possible troll/scammer/cop/moron.

[MikeyMagic]

Thanks. I was beginning to think it was a mini-put golf term, involving a second swing.

Well, regardless of where I go, reputation is certainly something I sense I develop quickly and solidly in peoples minds!

Trust? Me?

Perhaps trust is required if one were seeking something, but that isn't why I'm here.

I wasn't sure why I was here at first, but the fact Ive connected with people, full stop!

(speaks to me why)

I give trust freely to those that let their guard down. Once they do that I can read their heart more clearly.

Its difficult to fool a fool!

Edited January 27, 2014 by MikeyMagic