Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Everyone gets caught in the end. How would you know if they didn't?
They don't, it's the toupée fallacy http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Toupee_fallacy
Ask HN: How does one create a fake identity?
111–117 of 117 posts
Re: Ask HN: How does one create a fake identity?
#112Earlier quoted context omitted.
I have a large sample size of the people I worked with over 8 years. Seriously, everyone went down eventually.
Would be an interesting book (for your copious free time.)
Re: Ask HN: How does one create a fake identity?
#113The first thing to do is realize that there are only a few limited situations in which you are ever legally obligated to tell the truth (or to say anything at all). Allow that to empower you and the truth will literally set you free. Truthfully, you are almost always free to lie. Find those boundaries and tiptoe without crossing them. I imagine that even if you are able to take advantage of some of the other advice i…
I agree with you, but I don't think you should consider the act of using multiple identities itself to be lying. Or at least, calling it that seems harsh. Do actors lie when they use stage names? Are authors lying when they publish under pen names? Sure, some may use nicknames or professional names because they're more marketable. But others use pseudonyms for privacy protection. They want to compartmentalize their o…
So during day to day business and life, you can call yourself whatever you want. Others can insist on identification if it's important to them, and that gets trickier.. but using a pen-name on a book or a hotel reservation is no different than using a fake name at starbucks while waiting for your coffee.
Forging documents is of course illegal, so that puts a crimp on things - but there is no particular reason that you are required to use your "real" name except when dealing with government documents (and things that rely on them)
Re: Ask HN: How does one create a fake identity?
#114Re: Ask HN: How does one create a fake identity?
#115Re: Ask HN: How does one create a fake identity?
#116Earlier quoted context omitted.
They don't, it's the toupée fallacy http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Toupee_fallacy
It's not the toupee fallacy - in this case I started with a large sample of fraudsters in my circle and know the outcome for all of them.
Re: Ask HN: How does one create a fake identity?
#117Didn't create the hn identity via tor, but luckily after the one signup (not telling from where) I'm able to log in that way.
I guess the big question for a lot of people was "why?" and I bet no one will believe me when I say that this is an intellectual exercise for me, thus far. Sort of one way of getting at the deeper question of identity construction. Thus, the heath bunting reco was relevant.
The one piece of info that would really round this discussion out, though, is an examination of how the other side would attack a ginned-up id. Any insights, deep or googleweb would be appreciated.