ABSTRACT
A "character witness" testifies to that reputation, and in doing so puts his or her own character on the proverbial line. Character could be something distinguishing about a person or object, when an imperfection enhances the quality of the thing itself. A child gets a scar on his young face and outsiders assure his parents that, "it gives him character." An object worn with time—like an old house—is said to have character. In essence, the "hashtag" stands as a characterizing marker for the concept that follows; it becomes a kind of communication shorthand that is readily recognized and easily understood. The idea that character means a printed letter or symbol can be traced all the way back to the ancient Greek word for stamping tool, "kharakter." Characters in a play or novel are recognized by the way the author wrote them, our reputations are read by our communities by the ways in which our actions are transmitted.
