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I agree, I found it really not worth it for me to use a handle that was not my real name. I don't know about other people, but when I interact online, I don't a

I agree, I found it really not worth it for me to use a handle that was not my real name. I don't know about other people, but when I interact online, I don't act in a way that very different from how I act "IRL". Because who I am is the same online as it is in real life, obscuring just my name doesn't do me much benefit. The only way I could obscure my information online would be if I maintained an entirely different persona/identity entirely, with totally separate lives. Since I can't or won't do that (I'd feel vaguely dishonest), I just use my real name anyway.

thenerdfiles 13y ago
So then the follow-up is: Did "Batman" come before the rogue vigilante, or after ? (Chicken-or-egg.)
Crito 13y ago
"Because who I am is the same online as it is in real life, obscuring just my name doesn't do me much benefit." I operated like that for a few years, but then I realized that although my presentation of myself online is not that different from how I present myself in 'real life', there are examples in real life of situations where I present myself differently. For instance, I no longer discuss politics with family (in no small part out of respect for immediate family members who are now in the military. If I said to them what I am willing to say online, feelings would be hurt...)
- lelandbatey 13y ago
  Yeah, it really is a luxury that many people don't have, being able to not worry about who knows your views. I choose to not share most all my political or religious views in real life or online. But for many people who have views far outside the mainstream, or who would be otherwise persecuted for the things they think, I can totally understand why they wouldn't share many things.
  - thenerdfiles 13y ago
    Isn't this, like, the basic problem with our political system? Structural oppression? Disenfranchisement? Hos does this not also apply to voting? I feel the same, now I am afraid to be in public for having the views that I have. ...

thenerdfiles 13y ago

So then the follow-up is: Did "Batman" come before the rogue vigilante, or after ? (Chicken-or-egg.)

Crito 13y ago

"Because who I am is the same online as it is in real life, obscuring just my name doesn't do me much benefit." I operated like that for a few years, but then I realized that although my presentation of myself online is not that different from how I present myself in 'real life', there are examples in real life of situations where I present myself differently. For instance, I no longer discuss politics with family (in no small part out of respect for immediate family members who are now in the military. If I said to them what I am willing to say online, feelings would be hurt...)

lelandbatey 13y ago
Yeah, it really is a luxury that many people don't have, being able to not worry about who knows your views. I choose to not share most all my political or religious views in real life or online. But for many people who have views far outside the mainstream, or who would be otherwise persecuted for the things they think, I can totally understand why they wouldn't share many things.
- thenerdfiles 13y ago
  Isn't this, like, the basic problem with our political system? Structural oppression? Disenfranchisement? Hos does this not also apply to voting? I feel the same, now I am afraid to be in public for having the views that I have. ...