I post in a dead guys creations name. I don't live up to the name but I like it and think I'll stick with it. I like to think I post as myself and owning up to my personality. That said, I'm reminded of the few times I've shared with my mother a comment laden thread (here and other sites) and invited her to guess which commentator I was. Invariably she has guessed wildly wrong then asks me to reveal my secret identity. I haven't and won't. It is very odd to me that my mother guesses persons that always seem to me more like the potshot taking type and I can't ever seem to see anything like how I conceive of myself in their comments.

Not attempting to thread jack or anything. Just a wierdity of life I wanted to thrust out there.

I post under a nom de net, and I try to always use the same one. If you know my nym, you know me.

On the other hand, while it is entirely likely that this particular "George Halas" is a fake, it isn't necessarily true. Get thee to Spokeo and search on "George Halas".

There are 18 in Florida...and another 6 in Illinois. I'm sure some are duplicates, but still...

I don't comment under my real name for a couple of reasons. One is that the possibility exists that some of my opinions, or just the fact that I read and post here, could get me in trouble at my job. The other thing is that I'm kind of private with my political opinions in general; I deal with politics at a micro level at work on a daily basis, and during my free time I generally don't have the energy for political arguments. I only discuss politics with a handful of people: my wife, my parents, and a few trusted friends. There are places on the Internet where I use my real name, but I never ever post opinions on social or political matters in those places.

The funny thing is, though, I've been using the "Cousin Dave" moniker around the Internet long enough that it's become a sort of alternate persona. I'm conscious of the fact that when I post something, I'm adding to a history, and that I need to keep it reasonable and present a consistent viewpoint. It's my brand, so to speak, and it has a reputation. And I'd blow it if I started posting a bunch of flamery and trolling.

Dennis Miller is an interesting case in point. He was absolutely funny to most everyone in "the old days". Then 9/11 happened and he changed his political views somewhat. Suddenly overnight he was unfunny to half the population. Hmmmmm.

I have heard the call for using accurate full names to prevent on-line abuse. It seems to have been very effective in preventing flaming.

For me, it would really hinder my ability to post my thoughts freely. I say things on line that I would never say in person. I have talked about my students, who as third generation welfare recipients, are not prepared for the most part to ever give back to society. I could not do that if my identity were known. I have talked about going to strip clubs (outside of our town of course!) This would violate the morals clause of my contract. I am for people choosing the types of relationships that work for the individuals involved. This could cause real problems for me here in the bible belt.

I am not abusive. I don't regularly flame or troll. I did criticize someone on here once and requested that we not feed a troll on another forum once in the three or so years that I have been on line extensively. For the person that I criticized, I was soundly called out by none other than Amy herself.

My purpose in writing is to get feedback or to share another point of view. If anything that I say gets others to think, even if they do not like the things that I say, I feel that the time I have taken to post has been worthwhile. I often seem to be a voice that is alone on this particular blog. If I often attack others, how can anyone take what I say seriously and actually think about it?

I've never understood how morality could be legally quanitifed.

How exacly is watching people engaged in a legal activity(stripping) immoral from a legal stantdpoint? And supposing we pass that hurdle, how is it the buiniess of your employer what you do in your off time assuming you arent using their property to do it?

luj, that's easy. Your actions could be assumed to reflect on your employer.

I know a guy who lost his job after taking a plea bargain in a shaken baby case. That made him a felon, and he was fired immediately. They call it employment at will for a reason.

I usually only post here or anywhere using some sort of variation on my name. Those who have seen me post know that I'm not generally going to resort to flaming. That is for the weak that can't beat someone with logic.

The thing I don't understand about people who do things like this Halas character ... if you don't like something, stop reading it.

If I don't like a person's Twitter feed, Facebook page or blog, I don't read it. Why the added drama?

I can certainly be an asshole at times. I just never felt the need to announce it publicly.

I've been using Radwaste for more than 15 years. It's what I do - and quite well, Crid's total bogosity notwithstanding - and besides...

...it's a fallacy, "appeal to authority", to consider a thing true because of its source. Your name can be valuable as a brand (I'm sure Amy's glad to not be Hortense P. Swagglebottom by birth), but in debate, a point is supposed to stand on its merits, not yours. Or even Einstein's, which we've seen here cited in religious argument.

There may be various reasons someone wants to remain anonymous but to remain anonymous and say mean-spirited things that are not provoked in any way is just being a coward. Anonymity is not an excuse to be rude or hurtful. If I wish to remain anonymous for privacy issues I don't hide behind it to hurt insults at people.

Sometimes I feel bad about using a nickname, if not an actual nom de plume. But then I remember, some of these fuckers is crazy.

See also.

Visited Reason's Hit & Run the other day: Some of the commenters there are obviously just picking the best fights they can with people, offering the most sincere pose they can... They're trying to learn how the arguments will go for the next time it's real. Can't argue with that.

If you offer a consistent identity, I don't see much harm.

Contact me at the email address described below....

> It's what I do - and quite well

The fraudulence of your worldview has been broadly, decisively exposed... Don't be bitter.

(PS- When I say I don't like people? That part's for real.)

I've spent many hot nights alone, falling asleep, thinking about my past with Hortense P. Swagglebottom. I can't believe I'd forgotten about her until now.

Amy,

I agree with you much of the time, and disagree with you the other much of the time, but regardless, I've always been terribly impressed and grateful for the courage you show to speak your mind.

More on anonymity:

Much of the support for "real names" comes from people who don't want to hear about controversy, but controversy is only a small part of the need for pseudonyms. For most of us, it's simply the desire to be able to talk openly about the things that matter[.]

And from the earlier one:

in real life, we expect very few statements to be public, persistent, and attached to your real identity. Basically, only people talking on television or to the media can expect such treatment. And even then, the vast majority of their statements don't become part of the searchable Internet.

I agree with Amy that a pseudonym can be an easy way to say things we would not say in public, but I thought all of you might enjoy this (rather long) essay which was linked from Bruce Schneier's blog today on the reasons some people choose to post anonymously:

http://www.marrowbones.com/commons/technosocial/2011/07/on_pseudonymity_privacy_and_re.html

"The fraudulence of your worldview has been broadly, decisively exposed..."

What you've exposed is yourself - a glib writer, with no idea what you're saying except that it must be magic, simply because it's you.

Essentially, Chuck(les) without the homeopathy.

Now you're even arguing against using evidence.

Someone find him and sober him up.

@bearswin11 @GarryShandling You are so dull and boring! Your tweets are as entertaining as watching a dog crap in a park. (cont) tl.gd/chkdb4

I dunno. This dog-crap comment is kind of funny. People are tweeting about the loaf of bread they nearly bought. Also, it may be a friend making a joke. There will be payback (response to bearswin11 tweets)!

I often post on blogs of economic or political content. I would face repercussions, professional ones, if my identity became known. Things are so polarized now, you cannot take a stand without potentially losing business.

Sheesh, some lady in LA gave money to some political referendum, and thus antagonized the gay community--and her employer suffered from a loss of business!

I have the view polygamy should be legal, and also whorehouses. Whorehouses with plate-glass windows. Guess how much business I would lose if that came out.

Being "for" or "against" or neutral on gay marriage can cost you business too.

Having a pen-name (digi-name) makes sense.

Kid Rock once pointed out that most people wouldn't trash him to his face for fear of getting their butts kicked. Therefore those same people shouldn't do it from behind a computer.

On the flip side, Kathy Griffin's stance on saying things to one's face always cracked me up:
"Say it to your face? Um, I'd much rather trash you behind your back. It's called "manners?" :-)

>>"The thing I don't understand about people who do things like this Halas character ... if you don't like something, stop reading it."

Seriously. Every time I'm on a Fark (or similar) page on comic books, there's always some jackass who has to go and say something like "I don't know why you guys are discussing something clearly intended for CHILDREN" or likewise. Dude, if that's how you feel, why are you going out of your way to click on the article, read it, and then post a comment?! All you're telling me is that for all your lamenting my childishness, you're the one with a lack of life so huge as to click and comment on things you don't even like/care about.