A structural model for Identity based on certification, recognition, reputation and anonymity.

I have been thinking for a while about a model that describes the interdependencies between public, private, identity, reputation and privacy (laws).  This is mostly driven by the need to try and find an approach to define different types of “identity” based on characteristics that have some degree of stability and repeatability.



The first “public” version of this model is represented in hand drawing below, and I would love feedback, input and criticism.



 


The vertical axis represents the perceptions of how people can be perceived by everyone else; this provides a range from a private citizen (general public) to a public figure (politician). The horizontal axis represents the how we conduct ourselves from being a private self (protected) to being public (15 seconds of fame)


The quadrants are defined by the extremes of the axis definitions as follows:


Obscurity - a private citizen who wants to remain private. An example at an extreme is a hermit, but this category tries to incorporate “the general public”


Professional Status - a private citizen who has a public role. An examples would be a doctor or consultant and increasingly those who have influence.


Privacy Laws – a public figure who wants to hide their private self and will look to privacy laws as a defence. Examples are celebrities who take out a super-injection.


Broadcast – a public figure that has a public self. An example could be a reality TV celebrity or Katie Price (aka Jorden)



 



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The structural model is about the linkage between the forms of identity (certification, recognition, reputation and anonymity) and perceptions of how I am viewed and how others view me.


In the Obscurity quadrant identity is built for private citizens who remain private, from both certification (documents of public record… birth, marriage, NI, Tax, driving licence) and “I am who I say I am”.  Individuals decide about having one ID (identity) or presenting the world through persona(s).  This is not taking away how we all receive some level of identity at the most basic level, but unlike other cases certification is the primary identifier.


For the Professional Status quadrant Identity is enhanced in the form of reputation.  Reputation giving both status and authority [influence] (potentially to authenticate oneself and others … trusted status)


The quadrant of “Privacy Laws” is the odd one as identity is hidden by those who are public figures who try to protect their private lives and demand some level of anonymity.


The Broadcast quadrant has an identity that is enhanced in the form of recognition.  Recognition in this context is the ability to recognise.  Recognition introducing the ideals of celebrity and brand.me as some of the outcomes.


 


The model shows how the relationships between self (private to public) and Citizen (private to public) lead to four outcomes which show different requirements and characteristics of identity and hence why “identity” is an impossible topic to discuss with a framework.