Who are you?

Anonymous posters and anonymous regulars

Published on December 28, 2005 By Leauki In Blog Communities

Every now and then an anonymous (and temporary) poster replied to an article, usually in a rather stupid way.

The regular sometimes refer to such a poster as an "anonymous" poster.

Now, it appears that most regulars here are anonymous as well.

I realise that many regulars here believe they have very good reasons for not telling the world who they are. But I also think that many of these reasons are not very good, compared to the principle of standing up for one's own opinions and statements.

For me, informing people who I speak to of my name and contact details has always (since I was told that on Usenet) been a given; not something to consider and not do when there are too many arguments against it, but a part of every word I say, the pre-requisite of talking, unless really uncalled for. The "me" on the net is the same person as the "me" in real life. It's not a digital character, it's me myself and I.

Sometimes JoeUser displays my name, sometimes my login name (Leauki). I still haven't quite figured out why it switches between the two and when. It seems to have something to do with the forums and the blog site etc., but I always access JoeUser via the same link on my home page.

Anyway, for those of you who have somehow missed who I am, here's me:

Andrew Brehm
Rathmines, Dublin, Ireland
http://www.netneurotic.net
http://www.netneurotic.net/me/

(The CV is not current.)

And I would really like to know who all these people are that I keep talking to. If you still don't want to tell the world, just tell me:

andrew@netneurotic.net

Merry Christmas.

Comments (Page 1)

Manopeace

on Dec 28, 2005

You know who I am... as do my other friends here at JU....

Leauki

on Dec 28, 2005

Yes. You are an exception to the rule.

Manopeace

on Dec 28, 2005

Yes. You are an exception to the rule.

I'll take that to mean that I am special!

Trudygolightly

on Dec 28, 2005

I have my screen name, and sometimes I've used my real name on my posts.....hey, if
people aren't reading me, then they haven't seen my real name.

That's all I go by though.

Leauki

on Dec 28, 2005

That's it exactly: the "screen name"'

I first heard of the concept when AOL started business in Europe. Many people thought that a "screen name" was a typical Internet concept, when in reality the Internet was real names until AOL.

A "screen name" should not be a second personality, I think.

So who are you? Where do you live? What do you do?

Dr Guy

on Dec 28, 2005

I dont reveal my real name, altho many here know it. That is for reasons of what I post at times (not political, the personal).

Leauki

on Dec 28, 2005

Dr. Guy. I know. But it's still sad.

Trudygolightly

on Dec 28, 2005

Reply By: Andrew J. BrehmPosted: Wednesday, December 28, 2005That's it exactly: the "screen name"'

So who are you? Where do you live? What do you do?

It's like I said, if people are reading my blog, they already know my real name, they know where I live
and that I'm retired from transportation business.

Leauki

on Dec 28, 2005

Excellent!

Dr Guy

on Dec 28, 2005

Dr. Guy. I know. But it's still sad.

So is my ex. But there is not a lot I can do to get rid of her, since I still have 2 children that I love. She is more than sad. She is a nut job!

Locamama

on Dec 28, 2005

I was under the impression that there are crazy, psycho people on the internet who if they have too much personal information, they will track you down and chop you into small pieces.

singrdave

on Dec 28, 2005

I have my screen name, and sometimes I've used my real name on my posts.....hey, if people aren't reading me, then they haven't seen my real name.

I echo Trudy. I also have put information out about myself, where I live, my last name...
While I do like all you JU people, and I have corresponded with some, and know others personally, I am just not comfortable putting my information out there for all the Internet to see.
I'd rather just be singrdave, or just Dave, if you don't mind.

Furry Canary

on Dec 28, 2005

'I realise that many regulars here believe they have very good reasons for not telling the world who they are. But I also think that many of these reasons are not very good, compared to the principle of standing up for one's own opinions and statements.'

This kind of comment appears quite frequently. I would simply point out that nobody is breaking any JoeUser rules (in word or spirit) by refraining from revealing their names, contact details etc. Furthermore, as Dr. Guy points out above, while you may think it 'sad', on the internet it is generally a very sensible precaution not to reveal your personal details to all and sundry.

So Andrew, if you want to give the world a direct line to your door, go right ahead. Other people have their own reasons for maintaining a degree of privacy, and it is not your place to say whether or not these reasons are 'good'.

Dr Guy

on Dec 28, 2005

I am just not comfortable putting my information out there for all the Internet to see.

There is the fact that Ju is google-able. We must understand that our reading audience is not only the fine people here, but anyone with an internet account, bacteria included.

Leauki

on Dec 28, 2005

on the internet it is generally a very sensible precaution not to reveal your personal details to all and sundry.

I don't think so.

I reveal only those personal details that can also be found in a phone book. Anybody can find me in the Dublin phone book, even on the Web. Googling just makes it simpler. I assume that those with evil intentions don't mind many difficulties.

So Andrew, if you want to give the world a direct line to your door, go right ahead. Other people have their own reasons for maintaining a degree of privacy, and it is not your place to say whether or not these reasons are 'good'.

Maintaining "a degree" of privacy is not the same as not telling anybody anything.

Millions of people maintain a degree of privacy even though their names are known, in the phone book, on their doors, on the Internet, or in news papers. If your audience finds out your name, you have not lost all your privacy. Any such claim is ridiculous.

And whether it is a violation of rules or not I do not care. It is my place to ask people who they are.

BUT IT IS NOT YOUR PLACE TO TELL ME THAT IT ISN'T OK FOR ME TO DO THAT IN MY OWN BLOG.

So go away!

It is NOT sensible to talk without revealing one's identity; not unless you have specific personal reasons or fear of a totalitarian government or other group. It's rude, not sensible. And whatever the reasons are, it is certainly sad.

In an ideal world, I would know whom I talk to.

You do.

I do not fear the bacteria enough not to reveal my name. Particularly since every name not revealed makes those who had to reveal their names better targets.

I prefer to be called LW rather than Sabrina while online, if it's all the same to you. Other than that, pleased to meetcha!

Ah, here we go. I knew your name was Sabrina. Pleased to make it official.

I liked the pictures of your new dog. Excellent stuff.

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