3 ms·

Identity is prismatic, but the faces of that prism aren't disjointed. They're all part of the same whole and for this reason I'm not sure his metaphor works wit

Identity is prismatic, but the faces of that prism aren't disjointed. They're all part of the same whole and for this reason I'm not sure his metaphor works with his point about how we present ourselves differently in different contexts. I've always used my real name on everything I do since I got in trouble in high school for being part of a group prank under a pseudonym. My father told me that unless I want what I do to be associated with my real name, I just probably shouldn't do it. I've found those to be good words to live by. And if you've ever explored 4chan for even a minute you'll see why this is important, the anonymity there turns those people into, well, freaks. I think "real names" can be considered a product of evolution, they came about for a good reason.

naner 15y ago
And if you've ever explored 4chan for even a minute you'll see why this is important, the anonymity there turns those people into, well, freaks. Pseudonyms have been used all over the web from the very beginning. 4chan has problems because there is less accountability than other sites (like this one), not because they allow people to be anonymous.
- artursapek 15y ago
  That's a good point. It really is a free-for-all.
dhugiaskmak 15y ago
unless I want what I do to be associated with my real name, I just probably shouldn't do it This sounds an awful lot like "if you aren't doing anything wrong then you don't have anything to hide" to me.
- artursapek 15y ago
  "Wrong" is too black and white to go by, the way I put it is more like saying that you sculpt your identity based on the choices you make.
- bmelton 15y ago
  I interpret it more like "If you wouldn't want your mother to see you do it, then you probably shouldn't." For what it's worth, while I absolutely love my civil liberties and freedoms, I do believe in accountability for one's actions. If I say something indefensible against a minority group, I believe that I should be ready to bear the consequences of my racism. I can either defend my actions with an intelligent argument or I can't. I shouldn't be able to just say "Oh. That was somebody else." On the flip side, if I'm arguing for a controversial idea, then I will expect people to take the argument as insincere if I'm not willing to attach my name to it. Anybody can say something anonymously, in the same way that anybody can pirate music. The people who are purposefully exercising civil disobedience are the ones I respect, whether or not I agree with their cause. That said, very few people actually practice civil disobedience. They download music and say 'Damn the man' wherever they can, but what actual GOOD does that do? And just before anybody attacks me for trying to take away their right to privacy, I fully understand and support that it is our right, generally, and would never knowingly support/elect/fund or petition anyone trying to take that right away. But for me, personally, I think the bigger statement is always going to come from someone who is willing to risk their reputation to make a statement that's unpopular.
  - walropodes 15y ago
    > I interpret it more like "If you wouldn't want your mother to see you do it, then you probably shouldn't." That pretty much means the same thing
    - bmelton 15y ago
      I very strongly disagree. They mean completely different things.
    - artursapek 15y ago
      No, I've openly done things that I knew my mom wouldn't be immediately cool with, and would probably find out about. It's just about taking calculated risks.
Tsagadai 15y ago
The problem is more about contexts. There are some things which exist on social networks that you may not want to be shared. If you cannot separate the contexts in your life then this may cause serious problems. Think about your job. Depending on your workplace, it could be a huge disadvantage to get found out as a geek. You could get overlooked for promotion because you "play with toys" or "spend a lot of time playing World of Warcraft". Being a geek probably doesn't affect your performance in the workplace but it could get you shunned by people with prejudices against that sort of thing. That's an innocent example, there are far more complex and difficult examples which you are ignoring. What about if you are gay but you want to keep it secret from your family or you are living in a country where it is dangerous to be openly homosexual. I could go on listing traits, vices and attributes that could cause people problems. Saying that someone simply "shouldn't do it" dismisses the fact that some things people wish to keep secret are part of their true identity. Someone shouldn't be forced to hide their true identity but it is an unfortunate reality that in many cases you must in order to protect your career, your family and even yourself.
- TeMPOraL 15y ago
  Relevant xkcd that also perfectly summarizes my personal opinion on the topic: http://xkcd.com/137/ http://xkcd.com/137/

naner 15y ago

And if you've ever explored 4chan for even a minute you'll see why this is important, the anonymity there turns those people into, well, freaks. Pseudonyms have been used all over the web from the very beginning. 4chan has problems because there is less accountability than other sites (like this one), not because they allow people to be anonymous.

artursapek 15y ago
That's a good point. It really is a free-for-all.

dhugiaskmak 15y ago

unless I want what I do to be associated with my real name, I just probably shouldn't do it This sounds an awful lot like "if you aren't doing anything wrong then you don't have anything to hide" to me.

artursapek 15y ago
"Wrong" is too black and white to go by, the way I put it is more like saying that you sculpt your identity based on the choices you make.
bmelton 15y ago
I interpret it more like "If you wouldn't want your mother to see you do it, then you probably shouldn't." For what it's worth, while I absolutely love my civil liberties and freedoms, I do believe in accountability for one's actions. If I say something indefensible against a minority group, I believe that I should be ready to bear the consequences of my racism. I can either defend my actions with an intelligent argument or I can't. I shouldn't be able to just say "Oh. That was somebody else." On the flip side, if I'm arguing for a controversial idea, then I will expect people to take the argument as insincere if I'm not willing to attach my name to it. Anybody can say something anonymously, in the same way that anybody can pirate music. The people who are purposefully exercising civil disobedience are the ones I respect, whether or not I agree with their cause. That said, very few people actually practice civil disobedience. They download music and say 'Damn the man' wherever they can, but what actual GOOD does that do? And just before anybody attacks me for trying to take away their right to privacy, I fully understand and support that it is our right, generally, and would never knowingly support/elect/fund or petition anyone trying to take that right away. But for me, personally, I think the bigger statement is always going to come from someone who is willing to risk their reputation to make a statement that's unpopular.
- walropodes 15y ago
  > I interpret it more like "If you wouldn't want your mother to see you do it, then you probably shouldn't." That pretty much means the same thing
  - bmelton 15y ago
    I very strongly disagree. They mean completely different things.
  - artursapek 15y ago
    No, I've openly done things that I knew my mom wouldn't be immediately cool with, and would probably find out about. It's just about taking calculated risks.

Tsagadai 15y ago

The problem is more about contexts. There are some things which exist on social networks that you may not want to be shared. If you cannot separate the contexts in your life then this may cause serious problems. Think about your job. Depending on your workplace, it could be a huge disadvantage to get found out as a geek. You could get overlooked for promotion because you "play with toys" or "spend a lot of time playing World of Warcraft". Being a geek probably doesn't affect your performance in the workplace but it could get you shunned by people with prejudices against that sort of thing. That's an innocent example, there are far more complex and difficult examples which you are ignoring. What about if you are gay but you want to keep it secret from your family or you are living in a country where it is dangerous to be openly homosexual. I could go on listing traits, vices and attributes that could cause people problems. Saying that someone simply "shouldn't do it" dismisses the fact that some things people wish to keep secret are part of their true identity. Someone shouldn't be forced to hide their true identity but it is an unfortunate reality that in many cases you must in order to protect your career, your family and even yourself.

TeMPOraL 15y ago
Relevant xkcd that also perfectly summarizes my personal opinion on the topic: http://xkcd.com/137/ http://xkcd.com/137/