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Ask HN: Real name vs. anonymous username – which do you use online and why?

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Re: Ask HN: Real name vs. anonymous username – which do you use online and why?

#61

Post by techjamie »

I suppose in my case, both? I use my first name everywhere, but keep my last name private.

The theory behind it is that my first name is common, and having that one common element shared between so many people that make usernames creates a barrier to gathering information easily. If my name was too unique, then it would be easier to find and identify my activity, but as-is, I am not the only person on the net with my username, so anyone performing research has to spend extra time weeding out those people.

Also, I generally don't post anything I wouldn't stand behind anyway.

Re: Ask HN: Real name vs. anonymous username – which do you use online and why?

#63

Post by DougN7 »

ChrisMarshallNY wrote: post #12

Real name (basically, I add "NY" at the end). Long story, get your hanky. I just find it's better to use my real name, and post stuff I won't regret. It won't hurt me, and can benefit me.

My concern is stuff that can get you in trouble can change. Jews in 1920’s Germany probably(?) didn’t think there was any reason to hide that they were Jews.

Re: Ask HN: Real name vs. anonymous username – which do you use online and why?

#64

Post by add-sub-mul-div »

diididl wrote: post #14
add-sub-mul-div wrote: post #6

In certain places like Bluesky I use my real name. Here, I'd only ever be anonymous because I'm not in control of my content, I can't edit or delete comments. I could only post throwaway comments in a place like this. When I was on Reddit I was anonymous because it's not a serious place.

Every post on Bluesky is being archived in real-time. Deletion from your own PDS or Bluesky's doesn't remove it from these third party archives.

True, but you have to pick your battles and that's a lesser concern than I have with other sites.

Re: Ask HN: Real name vs. anonymous username – which do you use online and why?

#66

Post by wakawaka28 »

Jaedon_Proctor wrote: post #53
whoknowsidont wrote: post #49

I used to alternate. I would typically use my real name on comments or posts (even in IRC) when I wanted people to know that what I was saying was something that I was willing to put my IRL credibility and reputation on (i.e., I wasn't hiding behind a keyboard). I also like the freedom to post my thoughts free of that reputational damage and see how people react, and ideally to understand why my thoughts and perspect…

I like how you put it: "Not hiding behind a keyboard." More simply, Trust > Privacy.

Did you read the comment all the way? He IS hiding behind a keyboard like any sane person these days, because someone attacked him in real life over a legitimate comment.

Re: Ask HN: Real name vs. anonymous username – which do you use online and why?

#67

Post by wakawaka28 »

tdb7893 wrote: post #42
Terr_ wrote: post #29

I'd like to point out that "defend my privacy" is only one aspect. For me there's also a kind of 90s-internet-idealism about how forums should work, ex: 1. Good ideas or truths shouldn't rely on the credentials of the person talking. 2. Less information can allow more freedom of expression in a community. (For good or for ill.)

So on one hand credentials shouldn't matter but I've found for large online spaces the energy of wading through bad takes turns me away from communities which could otherwise be interesting. Like I wish I could filter comments for things like "has a degree in biology" or "is above 25" since while good ideas can come from anyone practically some people are much more likely to have useful insights than others.

I think Quora has features like you want. At least I've seen more people posting there with their real names and profiles than elsewhere. I think it makes the most sense in that context. I expect that in a normal forum with reply chains, people with verified credentials would be insufferable and appeal to authority a LOT.

Re: Ask HN: Real name vs. anonymous username – which do you use online and why?

#68

Post by wakawaka28 »

bikenaga wrote: post #39

Related to this question, there was a study done a few years ago to assess the effect of "real names" vs. pseudonyms on the online community: "Online anonymity: study found ‘stable pseudonyms’ created a more civil environment than real user names" - https://theconversation.com/online-anonymity-study-found-sta... They looked at an online community which moved from "easy anonymity" to "registered pseudonyms" to IDs lin…

It's civil until some insane jerk shows up at your house and smashes all your windows (or worse) because you didn't like their opinion.

Re: Ask HN: Real name vs. anonymous username – which do you use online and why?

#69

Post by anenefan »

Always aiming for anonymous as one can be from mid 90s so real life and online did not overlap. Since I'm no longer working I am less worried. Back in the days when I had a sharper mind it seemed I couldn't help, more often unintentionally, rock boats, in real life ... and watching petty retaliation coming in sideways though some totally unrelated aspect meant to cause me some difficulty - involving what I did for a living - meant it was entirely natural and reasonable to keep my real name out of any public online discussions.
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