Board Write Anonymity

[A Mom, but not yours]

Some of the writers seem to revel in it. Others seem to struggle with it. What is your opinion on their anonymity?

[ahem.]

Well, since I already know my idiot roommate is one of the writers, I guess I can't vote for that option. (Just kidding krebscout, I love you!)

So I think I'll go with "If their real identities were known it would give them a higher degree of accountability."

I think anonymity gives the writers the ability to say things that they otherwise couldn't. For an example, I will point you to the recent pornography discussion. Several writers where willing to share some of their struggles under a mask of anonymity. I think that gave their arguments and advice more support than they would have had if names and identities were out in the open.

Sometimes I want a perspective on issues in my life without actually admitting them to my friends. Unfortunately, the writers and editors know me and my aliases fairly well, so I can't be as anonymous as I'd like sometimes. Thus, I have another Board account completely unattached to myself, where I can revel in my anonymity. It's a glorious thing.

I don't know what you mean by saying that some struggle with their anonymity. Perhaps you've noticed that some writers guard their identities fiercely, while some don't seem to mind if they're discovered. I'm not sure why that means they "struggle" with it.

Besides, it's not like we have a choice as to whether the writers unmask themselves or not. Personally, I like it anonymous.

[UffishThought]

None of the above. I'm pretty big on not giving out too much personal info online, which is a big part of why I don't use my real name.

I used to be big into the anonymity, to tell the truth. Man, I wouldn't tell anyone. Now it's been 3 years, and I couldn't care much less. I don't write things I've too ashamed of, and if I run into someone who knows what the Board is, I'd rather just tell them I write Uffish, my real name is such and such, and have a real discussion. (There are few things more annoying to me than people who refuse to call me by my real name, and instead call me "Uffish" to my face. I have a real name, dangit, just use it!) I like that the writers are anonymous, it makes it fun for the readers, and fun for us. But I prefer that we deal with real life in real life, and practice basic internet safety online.

Or, to put it more succinctly, (and bring up points I hadn't brought up before,) I'm wary of people giving the Board too much credit, taking it too seriously. But at the same time, I think anonymity fits the purposes of the Board admirably, and I'd be loath to change that aspect of it.

[Benvolio]

New writers seem to have more fun with the anonymity. I liked it because it let me develop multiple pseudonyms, which was fun. I also liked how the aliases became part of the game. But I also understand some writer's disinterest in anonymity. Latro, for example, couldn't care less if someone discovered his identity. To each werf's own.

[Humble Master]

I've already given enough information out about myself that some people have figured out who I am, but I'm not really concerned about it. It seems that an inherent part of answering questions which interest me means revealing information about me. But maybe I should get another alias and give the whole complete anonymity thing a try.

It was pretty funny to me when a reader was absolutely convinced they knew who I was, but they thought I was my brother.

[A Mom, but not yours]

I admit it. I posted this because I wanted to try to start a conversation. I agree with Uffish on the basic internet safety thing. I do find it interesting that everyone who has commented in this so far is a writer or former writer.

(Is there any reason why Humble Master doesn't have that designation on here yet?)

Ahem., as far as struggling with the anonymity thing, try reading some of the other writers' blogs for the last couple weeks and you may see what I'm talking about.

[ahem.]

I am a bit of a blog fanatic. I read over 40 blogs on a regular basis (12 Writers, 8 Retired Writers, 9 Boardies, and 11 'Other').

But I must admit I don't notice the subtle (or not-so-subtle, as the case may be) clues nearly as much as I did before I knew the writers.


Here's an [un]interesting bit of information: I used to classify people as Boardies or Boarders depending on whether I thought their relationship with the Board existed more in the Internet (Boardies) or in Real Life (Boarders).

[UffishThought]

Relationship with the Board in real life? The one that lived in the WILK basement?

[ahem.]

No, as in people who know the writers pretty well. Like Genuine Draft, for example. She's a fan of the Board, but most of her relationship with it is based in reality as opposed to cyberspace (at least, I would hope so).

[UffishThought]

Ah. So which am I?

[ahem.]

You're neither. Those classifications are for fans. You're a writer. If I had to classify you, though, it would be a Boarder. Because you know the Board people by more than just their 'nyms.

[Portia]

Bring it.

[Humble Master]

Portia, I'm not certain what gauntlet I threw down which you seem to have decided to pick up. Nor do I know what exactly it is that I am to bring, but if you clarify it for me you may feel confident that I am more than will to bring...that ambiguous and as yet undefined thing...to wherever you wish it to be brought...whenever you want that thing taken to...there.

[ahem.]

Item of interest:

If you're ever playing mafia with a group of Board writers, and they're on the verge of killing you off, just let it be known that you've seen either Bring It On or Bring It On Again.

It could SAVE YOUR LIFE.

(Especially if RRRR is in the room.)

[Portia]

I kind of wondered if you would take it that way, Humble Master (whose last name I now know . . . bwah ha ha). Oh, I just meant that it was asked on this thread why you weren't designated as a Writer, which is my responsibility, and now you are. Let no one doubt my administration capabilities. Haha.

[Humble Master]

Thanks, Portia. I look all official now. What with my official title sitting officially beneath my name. I bet people are very impressed.

[ahem.]

Hey, can you give titles of your own choosing? It's probably a good thing I'm not an administrator, because I would have fun with that....



~ I almost just signed my name here.

[Humble Master]

Hehe, yesterday, just after I'd answered a few questions on the Board, I was writing an email to the chair of my dissertation committee and I signed "-Humble Master." Fortunately I caught it before I hit send.

[Portia]

I could have fun with that. Be thankful I'm not evil. "Ahem" could become "Evil Jungle Princess of Doom."

[Kismet Keeper]

Lexi's nickname for me is the first letter of my real name because we both sort of decided (independently) that it was just a waste of time to write out my full name when the first letter is just...so dang cool. Or something. Anyway. When she had a blog, and when I wrote comments, I would sign with "K" sometimes, except the first time I almost used the other letter. She almost did the same thing when she commented on my blog once, too:

"K!! I was about to call you by a different letter! :^P But K!! I am SO EXCITED!!!!!!"

Haha, it pretty much made me smile all day. I still laugh when I think about it.