No, not my real name. Just a 'nym that I've been using for over 17 years, which is very much a real part of my identity. Parts of it date back 21 years, altho

No, not my real name. Just a 'nym that I've been using for over 17 years, which is very much a real part of my identity. Parts of it date back 21 years, although I used several different pseudonyms back then, depending on the community. Why a pseudonym? Back in the WWIV vs Wildcat BBS days, I noticed that, contrary to popular belief, the pseudonymous communities were actually much friendlier, more honest and open, and less hostile. There was no age, gender, race, class discrimination or bullying, which were common on the real-name-only communities. People were judged on the merits of what they said and how they acted, rather than factors not under their control. I may have little to worry about discrimination, but still I value the freedom, honesty, and integrity of pseudonymity.