Today’s WordPress writing prompt asks, “What’s the most important invention in your lifetime?”

There have been so many! I guess the obvious answer is the World Wide Web. It’s the foundation of so many other important innovations, such as indie fiction publishing, apps like Duolingo, online learning, Netflix, and webcam calls.

The World Wide Web has changed everything. For one thing, it’s introduced thousands of new problems!

Here’s a ridiculous issue that I think about sometimes.

Someone who shares my exact same name has an incomplete page on the internet. I’ve realised that some business clients could assume that she’s me.

She hasn’t said anything wrong or embarrassing, but she’s shared information about herself that could invite sexist discrimination. It’s like she can’t imagine the stereotypes she’s playing into.

My life isn’t like hers at all, but I’m not going to validate sexism by emphasising that. So, what is a woman to do? There’s nothing I can do.

It begs the question. Do internet users have a responsibility to all people who could be mistaken for them?

Of course, the World Wide Web didn’t invent mistaken identity. One time, my first month’s pay at a new company went to someone else with my name on the same payroll!

I think we all know about the other problems introduced by the WWW, so I won’t say more. Let’s think happy thoughts and focus on the good stuff – like blogs and vlogs and global communication!