Secrecy is jettisoned in favour of self-publicity on Facebook, opening the way for ridicule, jealousy and betrayal.

BBC: Trolling: Who does it and why?

But so far, Obama's equivocations are exposing America's self-proclaimed place as "leader of the free world" to ridicule.

CNN: Obama, failing on moral leadership?

Still, it's a bit of vindication for Byrne, whose self-styled jihad on naked shorting has brought him no end of ridicule and the repudiation of even his own father, John J.

FORBES: Naked Short-Selling