Generally true. But in some situations, exfohazards can look unlike most people’s central conception of a “secret”, so I think it’s still worth stating explicitly.
When you share a “normal” personal secret, you own it to some extent. Its secrecy and sensitivity are caused by your being uncomfortable with sharing it. So people naturally understand that they need your buy-in to share it.
Conversely, an exfohazard can often be perceived as “objectively-justified” secret, as knowledge that’s dangerous inherently, not just because you think/feel it is. That might give someone the impression that if they disagree with your model, then they can disregard the supposed sensitivity of this secret as well. You’re not the sole arbiter of that, after all, reality is. And if their model of reality disagrees that this is sensitive information...?
In addition, there’s not just your feelings at stake, but national policies/fate of the world. Disregarding a “soft” secret like this may seem like it’s worth it for some people. I’m pointing out it’d have bad objective effects as well, not just subjective hurt feelings.
This is a good (and pretty standard) policy for any secret shared with you, of which “exfohazard” is, if not synonymous, a subcategory.
Generally true. But in some situations, exfohazards can look unlike most people’s central conception of a “secret”, so I think it’s still worth stating explicitly.
When you share a “normal” personal secret, you own it to some extent. Its secrecy and sensitivity are caused by your being uncomfortable with sharing it. So people naturally understand that they need your buy-in to share it.
Conversely, an exfohazard can often be perceived as “objectively-justified” secret, as knowledge that’s dangerous inherently, not just because you think/feel it is. That might give someone the impression that if they disagree with your model, then they can disregard the supposed sensitivity of this secret as well. You’re not the sole arbiter of that, after all, reality is. And if their model of reality disagrees that this is sensitive information...?
In addition, there’s not just your feelings at stake, but national policies/fate of the world. Disregarding a “soft” secret like this may seem like it’s worth it for some people. I’m pointing out it’d have bad objective effects as well, not just subjective hurt feelings.