It was 5 July 1993 that Peter Steiner drew his “On the Internet, nobody knows you’re a dog” cartoon. That turned out to be very prescient. It was true then even though relatively few people had access to the Internet and it is a lesson that is even more relevant today.

It came to mind yesterday when I was catching up on the discussion forums at Scott’s Bass Lessons and spotted an introductory post from Victor Wooten, one of the most amazing bassists in the world and some one who I’d love to meet. Or, the thought came to mind, it could be another one of those dogs. Call me suspicious but would a player of such calibre just be popping up on the site without any fanfare, especially given he has his own courses and events?

One of the moderators is a cousin of the real Mr Wooten or at least claims to be. I’ve never met him but I’ve interacted with him enough online to feel that I know him and know enough people who will know him better to trust that fact, so I dropped him a line. Could this be the actual VW or just someone who knows how to pull a few facts off the same Wikipedia page which was my first place to check. Perhaps that was what sparked my spidey-sense in the first place – why would Victor Wooten feel the need to mention when and where he was born when making an introductory post on a site full of bassists?

It turns out I wasn’t just about to get to hang out with Wooten online. Maybe one of those days but, until then, I’ll remember to stay alert for web-surfing canines.