http://www.businessinsider.com/no-criminal-char…)

http://www.businessinsider.com/no-criminal-char…)

His public persona is very clean-cut and conventional. He consciously chose that image. That's why we did not suspect DWI. That's why this story has taken so much attention. The ESPN commentator compared and contrasted Tiger with Charles Barkley.

Charles Barkley has a much different public image. One that is crass and outspoken. So when he 'screws up', we talk about it, laugh about it, and forget about it.

I agree that Tiger deserves a personal life hidden from public scrutiny. However, when he wrecks his car in a neighbor's yard and the police get involved, it becomes part of his public persona.

Your point is, therefore, very well taken. If he does not participate in the conversation, he will lose control of this image that he has worked so hard to create.

His public persona is very clean-cut and conventional. He consciously chose that image. That's why we did not suspect DWI. That's why this story has taken so much attention. The ESPN commentator compared and contrasted Tiger with Charles Barkley.

Charles Barkley has a much different public image. One that is crass and outspoken. So when he 'screws up', we talk about it, laugh about it, and forget about it.

I agree that Tiger deserves a personal life hidden from public scrutiny. However, when he wrecks his car in a neighbor's yard and the police get involved, it becomes part of his public persona.

Your point is, therefore, very well taken. If he does not participate in the conversation, he will lose control of this image that he has worked so hard to create.

Time and again athletes survive worse scenarios than it appears Tiger Woods is in, TMZ or not. A perfect example are New York Yankee teammates Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriquez. Their public profile perception could not be any more different, but at the end of the day, for the polished great image that Jeter has and lives up to, Alex Rodriquez still makes more money and garners plenty of endorsements, even with this personal life a giant tabloid and his steroid issue.

Not saying that joining the conversation is irrelevant, but I am not sure it matters as much for each individual case. Tiger's personal perception might take a ding, but at the end of the day the people who are fans of his will watch him for the main reason they always have, he is an excellent golfer.

Time and again athletes survive worse scenarios than it appears Tiger Woods is in, TMZ or not. A perfect example are New York Yankee teammates Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriquez. Their public profile perception could not be any more different, but at the end of the day, for the polished great image that Jeter has and lives up to, Alex Rodriquez still makes more money and garners plenty of endorsements, even with this personal life a giant tabloid and his steroid issue.

Not saying that joining the conversation is irrelevant, but I am not sure it matters as much for each individual case. Tiger's personal perception might take a ding, but at the end of the day the people who are fans of his will watch him for the main reason they always have, he is an excellent golfer.

Sorry for the confusion. I'm not suggesting that Tiger participate in all online conversations. What I'm saying is that by not engaging in the discussions that are happening around him, he leaves it up to the media, his fans, his haters, etc to come to their own conclusions. Your comments about “affair” or “drunk driving” or “beaten by his wife” prove that out.

I agree w/ Jason that Tiger is just a metaphor.

Is being transparent and engaging online always a good thing? I'm not sure I'd say always, but usually, yes. But remember that transparency has many flavors. I'm not advocating for Tiger to share with the world everything that is personal to him (nor am I suggesting that brands, companies or other people share to that level). But…silence and ignoring the conversation … in my opinion … is a poor strategy.

DJ Waldow