I woke up to an amazing article written by Jonathan Trenn, The fallacy of community, and I responded in a comment to a pretty passionate article and a passionate comment string, and here’s what I wrote — and I have expanded the argument below, so it is an expansion:

Jonathan Trenn sees the insidiousness in Facebook Beacon. Check out why he thinks that Facebook Beacon might just be a little sinister and how Beacon isn't really in your best interest,

"Beacon potentially violates the relationships that we form online. Ones that we in social media marketer so often say are built on trust and respect. Oddly, this happens with the retailer’s involvement. Facebook could easily come off as intruding into that relationship. This shouldn’t be underestimated. In a time that we’re talking about 'listening' we’re talking respect." Via Marketing Conversation and Memes.org

Markets are conversations. Conversations are two-way. Since you are what you do and say online and since you will be judge on your reputation and follow-through, it is important.

Being open and authentic is step one of who you are, step two is being available to respond to questions, comments, and criticism.

Why should the online conversation change because of you? Why should online communities care about what you have to offer?