Reputation interpretation depends on the interpreter, not the reputation holder.

Evidence

Not only will the perceivers of a reputation usually have access to information which the reputation holder does not control, but also the manner in which both types of information are interpreted is not straightforward. Such information will often be ambiguous and open to many readings, and, even when it is not, it is not necessarily the case that all people will accord any particular item the same significance. The interpretation of a reputation will be a function of the interpreter and, therefore, it is necessary to consider how new information is handled and is related to existing views. — Diego Gambetta, Trust - Making and Breaking Cooperative…, 607

Categorization

• XREF: Underlines observability’s insufficiency: reputation signals still require interpretation, connecting to why collapsed visual monitoring in Saramago corrupts even reputational knowledge. — connects to: Interpretation is a voluntary offering, not compulsion, instruction, or news — Freeman Tilden, Interpreting Our Heritage, 670