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I don’t really understand this. You can literally find his name by just asking Google for it. Isnt it already deanonymized? Or is this about some larger point?

OscarCunningham 6y ago
He doesn't want to prevent people from finding his real name when they search for 'scott alexander', he wants to prevent people finding his blog when they search for his real name.
AkshatM 6y ago
Scott Alexander is not his full name. His last name is still unknown to the public, and is what Scott doesn't want to release.
- beaconstudios 6y ago
  His last name is not unknown to the public, but it requires conscious effort to find. Posting it in the NYT is much more significant and means people who google his real identity will find his online one, as well as the reverse.
lhnz 6y ago
He will be fully exposed to harassment if the New York Times prints his name. There's a large difference between the New York Times printing your name, and it being possible to find your name with careful digging for it.
mumblemumble 6y ago
I'm guessing it's about some much smaller point. His employer is probably very unlikely to decide one day to idly google, "slate star codex author real name", figure out that it's him, and make any major decisions based on what they find. However, almost any employer, upon finding itself unexpectedly exposed to frothy-mouthed Internet rancor as a result of a major news outlet writing a story about the online persona of one of its employees, would at least seriously consider firing them over it.
- mumblemumble 6y ago
  Another thought: this sort of thing has the potential to seriously harm his relationship with his clients. In a way that could be professionally damaging for him, yes, but, even more importantly, could adversely affect the health of his clients.
bobmaxup 6y ago
He might be "doxxing" himself in the process. This non-story might have more SEO traction than the story would have. https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=now%207-d&geo=US&q=scott%20alexander https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=now%207-d&geo=...

OscarCunningham 6y ago

He doesn't want to prevent people from finding his real name when they search for 'scott alexander', he wants to prevent people finding his blog when they search for his real name.

AkshatM 6y ago

Scott Alexander is not his full name. His last name is still unknown to the public, and is what Scott doesn't want to release.

beaconstudios 6y ago
His last name is not unknown to the public, but it requires conscious effort to find. Posting it in the NYT is much more significant and means people who google his real identity will find his online one, as well as the reverse.

lhnz 6y ago

He will be fully exposed to harassment if the New York Times prints his name. There's a large difference between the New York Times printing your name, and it being possible to find your name with careful digging for it.

mumblemumble 6y ago

I'm guessing it's about some much smaller point. His employer is probably very unlikely to decide one day to idly google, "slate star codex author real name", figure out that it's him, and make any major decisions based on what they find. However, almost any employer, upon finding itself unexpectedly exposed to frothy-mouthed Internet rancor as a result of a major news outlet writing a story about the online persona of one of its employees, would at least seriously consider firing them over it.

mumblemumble 6y ago
Another thought: this sort of thing has the potential to seriously harm his relationship with his clients. In a way that could be professionally damaging for him, yes, but, even more importantly, could adversely affect the health of his clients.

bobmaxup 6y ago

He might be "doxxing" himself in the process. This non-story might have more SEO traction than the story would have. https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=now%207-d&geo=US&q=scott%20alexander https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=now%207-d&geo=...