Rick Toone

Have you ever met your double?

Most movie stars have a double. I was an extra (colonial militia) on the set of Mel Gibson's The Patriot, the only feature film I have been involved with, and watched in fascination as Roland Emmerich primarily used Mel's body double when setting up camera and lighting. Saves wear and tear on the main actor during grueling filming days. The two individuals were nearly identical in build, and had very similar facial features. Both men were also quite affable.

Touring Colonial Williamsburg in 1990, I entered the wheelwright's shop and did a complete double take as I nearly bumped into myself wearing 18th century clothing, and about 15 years older. Mannerisms, looks, build, etc.

Really eerie.

Alright, now what about on the web?

I tend to think of myself as "Rick Toone" because that's the label I've had since 1967. But there are other Rick Toones in the world. Google me and you'll see. And it's quite likely each one of them thinks of himself (herself?) as Rick Toone.

The web is akin to a rainforest clearing. At some future point the forest will reach homeostasis, with stratified layers of vegetation, but right now it's a free-for-all as competing saplings grapple for Google's sunlight. And every day, new people around the globe join our electronic community. And most parents — excluding Frank Zappa — are lacking creativity.

So that means there's another YOU in the world.

Is this a problem? It all depends.

• What if you live in the same region?
• What if you are of similar age?
• What if you are in similar fields of employment?

Now...what if your double calls your business contacts and attempts to pass himself (herself) off as you?

Changes things, doesn't it?

I don't have a solution.

I have no way to prove I'm me. You could always check the barcode tattooed inside my skull. But that's a relatively invasive procedure. I could auction my identity and start over. Tempting.

So what do you plan to do?

Ah, well. It could be worse. You could be Seth or Satch. I have long suspected one is the other's alter ego. Has anyone seen them both in the same place, at the same time?

Comments

[Seth Godin]

you found us out

don't tell anyone

[Alex]

My alter ego is in the computer industry, as am I. If I IMDB myself, it shows me working on several pixar movies. Kinda funny.