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Is it bad practice to use your real name online?

security.stackexchange.com

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Re: Is it bad practice to use your real name online?

#41

Post by bsamuels »

AndrewKemendo wrote: post #22
return0 wrote: post #19

I am prejudiced against people who use their real names when the website allows them to use a nickname: I automatically assume they will be uninteresting, their opinions sheepish and will always avoid confrontation or controversial ideas. I feel like they are always talking in the presence of their mother.

Here is a n=1 for you: I just forcefully argued against male circumcision on Reddit. Check it out if you like.

The problem is that circumcision isn't a heated controversy, it's not like someone is going to dox you because you made an argument against it.

Here's a few arguments off the top of my head that someone might dox you for:

-Whether or not feminism is the cause of the recent emasculation of men

-Whether or not Israel is committing crimes against humanity in Gaza and against the Palestinians

-Whether or not transexual persons should be medically referred to as their original gender or new gender.

-Whether or not affirmative action should exist.

Pretty much any debate that is emotionally charged has the potential for people to try to screw with your real life over it, circumcision is not one of them.

Re: Is it bad practice to use your real name online?

#42

Post by return0 »

Edmond wrote: post #32
return0 wrote: post #19

I am prejudiced against people who use their real names when the website allows them to use a nickname: I automatically assume they will be uninteresting, their opinions sheepish and will always avoid confrontation or controversial ideas. I feel like they are always talking in the presence of their mother.

Saying controversial things while hiding behind anonymity isn't exactly what I call brave. People are People, meaning not being anonymous has a modulating influence on people's behavior and that is a good thing. If you doubt this just descend into the comment section of any news article to see the vile stuff people post online because they are anonymous.

You are confusing controversy with confrontation, rudeness and hate. Also, the inanity of comments has more to do with the reach of the audience rather than anonimity. The anonymous trolling in news sites is not worse than the author-signed YouTube comments. And we all know the best comments are here on HN, anonymously.

Re: Is it bad practice to use your real name online?

#43

Post by eshvk »

aaronbrethorst wrote: post #37

I use my real name everywhere online. The reasons why are pretty straightforward: 1. It reminds me to be civil and think before I post. 2. It makes it easier for other people reach out to me based on things I've posted (I have a fairly unique name). Pseudonyms are relatively easy to 'decode'. If I wrote something particularly dumb, offensive, or stupid, and someone wanted to pin that on me, I'm sure they could given…

One thing that fascinates me is Linkedin Groups/Forums. People post the most outrageously sexist opinions or have kindergarten level fights with other people there; all connected to their real names. It is not as bad as Youtube comments but it is not clear how all these people don't have a filter. I guess only time will tell if Youtube comments get moderated due to the real name connection.

Re: Is it bad practice to use your real name online?

#44

Post by return0 »

simonh wrote: post #35
return0 wrote: post #19

I am prejudiced against people who use their real names when the website allows them to use a nickname: I automatically assume they will be uninteresting, their opinions sheepish and will always avoid confrontation or controversial ideas. I feel like they are always talking in the presence of their mother.

What complete and utter rubbish. Simon Hibbs

Case in point, eponymous comments tend to be content-free and rude.

Re: Is it bad practice to use your real name online?

#46

Post by whyme »

Everyone should just use some form of a Pig Latin user name. Maybe then add some spice to the name as well.

This way we can reasonably claim our good reputation if the result of our actions turns out ok, but if not we can borrow from each other and all get second chances.

I'm pretty sure Pig Latin will fool the NSA too. :)

Re: Is it bad practice to use your real name online?

#47

Post by tokenadult »

anaphor wrote: post #17

I use my real name, and I quite frankly do not care if I get passed up for a job or something like that because of something I said online. I'm pretty sure any employer I would actually want to work for wouldn't care about me ranting about the NSA or something (might even get me a job, who knows). That being said, I do not say anything online that I wouldn't in real life (except perhaps on IRC channels where I use a…

I use my real name

[Accessing anaphor's HN user profile, which is basically blank]

Your real name is anaphor? I have disclosed on my HN user profile what my birth-certificate name is, and I have put up links to a bare-bones explanation of where my screen name (which did not originate on this forum) came from. Eventually, I think, all roads from my various screen names, some of which were mandatory, and others customary, in the online forums where they originated will lead to my real name. I have always used my real name on every page of my personal website, since 1995.

Re: Is it bad practice to use your real name online?

#48

Post by AndrewKemendo »

bsamuels wrote: post #41
AndrewKemendo wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Here is a n=1 for you: I just forcefully argued against male circumcision on Reddit. Check it out if you like.

The problem is that circumcision isn't a heated controversy, it's not like someone is going to dox you because you made an argument against it. Here's a few arguments off the top of my head that someone might dox you for: -Whether or not feminism is the cause of the recent emasculation of men -Whether or not Israel is committing crimes against humanity in Gaza and against the Palestinians -Whether or not transexual p…

As I mentioned elsewhere this was just the first one off the top of my head.

Re: Is it bad practice to use your real name online?

#49

Post by callil »

I choose to use my real name on many services, it really doesn't bother me because I feel that I should be able to stand behind my words wherever I say them. It's also a unique name and usually not taken.

I will admit there have been times I have been hesitant to say or post things, but more often than not it's fine. If there is something I don't want associated with me, I use an alternate account.

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