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Poll: Do you use your real identity on HN?

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Re: Poll: Do you use your real identity on HN?

#211

Post by benrhughes »

simonsarris wrote: post #70

Yes, and for almost[1] all other things on the internet for that matter. "We should try to be happy, if only to set an example." -Jacques Prévert I try to be as open and plainly honest as possible, and I think using my real name keeps me from being inflammatory, and I think it also keeps other from doing the same to me (at least a little). Put another way, I think using real names makes an atmosphere of more empathy…

I do a similar thing. As Epictetus said:

"When you do anything from a clear judgment that it ought to be done, never shun the being seen to do it, even though the world should make a wrong supposition about it; for, if you don't act right, shun the action itself; but, if you do, why are you afraid of those who censure you wrongly?"

Re: Poll: Do you use your real identity on HN?

#212

Post by Mz »

popeye wrote: post #210
newnewnew wrote: post #143

No. I live in a very liberal area and I disagree with the liberal worldview on several significant points. In my experience, people have become more harsh towards opposing viewpoints. I've seen enough witch hunts on non-liberals to know I don't want to be the subject of one.

It's not just liberals--I'm a liberal--and this goes both ways. But you're right. Any opinion on a controversial topic can and will see you targeted by malicious fanatics opposed to your opinions. The Pollyanna types who disapprove of others using pseudonyms are generally either a) very boring people b) naive c) have some kind of stake in being able to out people e.g. Zuckerberg who makes tons of money off lack of pr…

I kind of think the solution to that is to own it without cramming it down the throats of other people.

I think one thing the world needs to work on is reducing how acceptable it is to do that type thing. Hiding overly much tends to let it stand.

It's tricky, definitely.

Re: Poll: Do you use your real identity on HN?

#213

Post by manojlds »

spiffytech wrote: post #208
loup-vaillant wrote: post #155

Earlier quoted context omitted.

An alternative could be to stick to a given nickname in related communities. HN, r/programming, and one's tech blog could form such a cluster. Sure, it's not your "real" name, but it will get a reputation regardless. Pseudonym or real name, people will shun you if you displease them too much. Simply remembering that may be just as effective as keeping one nice. To make that even more effective, one could even make a…

I have been doing this for many years now. I am "spiffytech" everywhere on the Internet, and that identity has extended to my physical relationships. In my college LUG, everyone knew me pretty much exclusively by my handle. This topic once came up there. I asked a friend who I'd known for four years if he actually knew my real name, and he had to stop and think for several minutes before he could respond with my name…

Hello Brian :)

Re: Poll: Do you use your real identity on HN?

#214

Post by popeye »

Mz wrote: post #212
popeye wrote: post #210

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not just liberals--I'm a liberal--and this goes both ways. But you're right. Any opinion on a controversial topic can and will see you targeted by malicious fanatics opposed to your opinions. The Pollyanna types who disapprove of others using pseudonyms are generally either a) very boring people b) naive c) have some kind of stake in being able to out people e.g. Zuckerberg who makes tons of money off lack of pr…

I kind of think the solution to that is to own it without cramming it down the throats of other people. I think one thing the world needs to work on is reducing how acceptable it is to do that type thing. Hiding overly much tends to let it stand. It's tricky, definitely.

When the world stops punishing people for having opinions, I'll stop using pseudonyms. Until then, I'm not going to martyr myself.

Re: Poll: Do you use your real identity on HN?

#215

Post by tekromancr »

benrhughes wrote: post #211
simonsarris wrote: post #70

Yes, and for almost[1] all other things on the internet for that matter. "We should try to be happy, if only to set an example." -Jacques Prévert I try to be as open and plainly honest as possible, and I think using my real name keeps me from being inflammatory, and I think it also keeps other from doing the same to me (at least a little). Put another way, I think using real names makes an atmosphere of more empathy…

I do a similar thing. As Epictetus said: "When you do anything from a clear judgment that it ought to be done, never shun the being seen to do it, even though the world should make a wrong supposition about it; for, if you don't act right, shun the action itself; but, if you do, why are you afraid of those who censure you wrongly?"

I don't like that. It sounds too much like the "If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear" argument for privacy invasion.

Re: Poll: Do you use your real identity on HN?

#216

Post by tekromancr »

spiffytech wrote: post #208
loup-vaillant wrote: post #155

Earlier quoted context omitted.

An alternative could be to stick to a given nickname in related communities. HN, r/programming, and one's tech blog could form such a cluster. Sure, it's not your "real" name, but it will get a reputation regardless. Pseudonym or real name, people will shun you if you displease them too much. Simply remembering that may be just as effective as keeping one nice. To make that even more effective, one could even make a…

I have been doing this for many years now. I am "spiffytech" everywhere on the Internet, and that identity has extended to my physical relationships. In my college LUG, everyone knew me pretty much exclusively by my handle. This topic once came up there. I asked a friend who I'd known for four years if he actually knew my real name, and he had to stop and think for several minutes before he could respond with my name…

That's pretty cool. I wish someone would call me by my online handle.

Re: Poll: Do you use your real identity on HN?

#217

Post by Mz »

popeye wrote: post #214
Mz wrote: post #212

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I kind of think the solution to that is to own it without cramming it down the throats of other people. I think one thing the world needs to work on is reducing how acceptable it is to do that type thing. Hiding overly much tends to let it stand. It's tricky, definitely.

When the world stops punishing people for having opinions, I'll stop using pseudonyms. Until then, I'm not going to martyr myself.

I wasn't asking you to martyr yourself. I am an extremely controversial figure. As I said elsewhere in this discussion, I kind of have a foot in each camp. I think about such issues a fair amount. I doubt you really want my backstory.

Peace.

Re: Poll: Do you use your real identity on HN?

#219

Post by duncan_bayne »

gradstudent wrote: post #75
duncan_bayne wrote: post #67

Yes. And likewise on other fora. It's interesting to take a 'time trip' and review my opinions on, say, the invasion of Iraq: against, for, against. Personally that doesn't bother me so much. Sure, I think that some of my past opinions were wrong. However, they're timestamped: a thinking critic would know that I might not still hold them, and an unthinking critic is unreachable regardless of the effort I put in.

> Sure, I think that some of my past opinions were wrong. However, they're timestamped: a thinking critic would know that I might not still hold them, and an unthinking critic is unreachable regardless of the effort I put in. The same is true of posts relating to "correct" or non-controversial opinons though. Should then a thinking critic not assume anything about you or your current thinking on any subject based on…

Exactly. I'd hate for a prospective employer to think I code the same way now as I did back in 2005, but I've SourceForge projects up that are at least that old.

Re: Poll: Do you use your real identity on HN?

#220

Post by duncan_bayne »

nraynaud wrote: post #46

I have to say I use my real name, but 1) I feel relatively safe because it's a really common name 2) I actually lost my job over my online postings, so maybe I should not feel that safe. Or maybe I should police myself (not gonna happen), or find a job where I would not feel the need to vent, or stop having a boss altogether.

That sounds like it would be an interesting tale to post to HN.
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