
This week Fandango asks us;
How do you feel about online anonymity? Do you believe that when people are hiding their real world identity, it encourages them to misbehave or to be offensive? Or does it allow people to reveal who they really are or possibly how they would choose to be and act all the time if they could?
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I blog under a pseudonym. I have revealed a lot of details about myself but not my real name.
When I started blogging it was an impulsive decision and I hadn’t given the matter much thought but I had heard of people getting harassed because of the opinions they share online. This made me use a version of name that’s similar to my name. And at first I kept everything about myself secret. My origin, my religion and where I live. Gradually I revealed a lot of details about myself, even shared my picture on my blog because I felt safe here.
Another reason for keeping my identity hidden was that I used to express my opinions about politics, especially Trump on my blog and I didn’t want any repercussions from that too. Being anonymous gave me the freedom to express my views openly without any fear of repercussions.
These were my reasons for keeping a part of my identity hidden. As for the first part of the question, do I think that people behave worse when their identity is hidden?
I don’t think this is the case for most of the people I’ve met here. Anyone who is going to be obnoxious will be irrespective of if they are using their real name or an alias.
Anonymity does give a sort of freedom but the true nature of the person behind the mask comes through sooner or later.
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Written in response to FPQ # 168, hosted by Fandango
#Keepitalive
#FPQ
agreed. It’s not just politics, Anybody who disagrees with something could choose to take it further.
Worst case I heard was a woman, blogged erotica, of all things, under her real name in the US. Somebody sent (USPS) her Google Maps images of her house. That’s too close for comfort.
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Yes, these sort of incidents are not welcome.
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Sadje, I think people have felt the need to protect their identity while writing for a long time. Women regularly wrote novels under male pen names, like the author of Frankenstein. I respect your choice.
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Thanks a lot Rebecca. I agree with you
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I think a lot of nasty behavior comes from being anonymous online. I know when I was on the board of directors of my kids swim team, people would be nice to me and then rant at me in emails. They weren’t anonymous but being not in person they felt the freedom to let loose.
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That is the case in many instances.
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Thank you Sadje for sharing your life experiences and wisdom along the way. Much appreciated.
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Thanks a lot Suzette 💞
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people can find out all kinds of crap
but just the same i am truly no one
so i do not give a flying fuck one way or the other. lmao
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Good for you 👍🏼
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perhaps.
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👍🏼
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For the whole of the 17 years I’ve been blogging my life’s remained an open book. The person I write about is the person I am. Your comments have made you part of my everyday life, yet I know little about you. Interesting!
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I am an open book too except the title is misspelled!
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You are so right about Sadje’s comments! I don’t know how she finds the time or the words that make one feel good. It is really a gift.
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Aww, that’s such a sweet comment. Thanks
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17 years! Continuously? That’s a lot.
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Oops, I was talking to Keith (real name) of Keith’s ramblings
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🥰
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I agree
Sent from my iPhone
>
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Thanks Cheryl
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I totally agree.. I wanted to protect myself too. And there is so much comfort in anonymity. You can be your true self when you don’t fear beijng judged by people you know. I could never share my true inner feelings if I knew the person reading this is going to meet me soon and judge me for it.
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That is really a very valid point Mimu. Thanks
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Hahahaha.
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🤩
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Our writing reveals so much about us except our name or where we reside.
I think blogging friends may know more about us than neighbors or even relatives.
We may follow many but eventually know who we are comfortable commenting/speaking with.
You, Sadje are one of the friendliest and most positive people I know. And very caring too. 🙂
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Thank you so much Lady. Yes, very true about revealing our true self through our writing. All our feelings and emotions do server as our identification markers.
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I am still going to call you Sadje.
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Thanks Jim. That’s my name here. And I feel that revealing my name wouldn’t make much difference except cause confusion.
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I completely agree with you, Sadje. Excellent post.
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Thanks a lot Jeff.
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You’re most welcome, Sadje. Always.
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💗💕
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Yes, Tim. Sadje has shown a complete excellence and bravery.
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“…the true nature of the person behind the mask comes through sooner or later.” I agree. It almost always does.
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Thanks Fandango! Yes, it always does because we cannot wear that mask all the time.
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I think you are right. I have had a few spammers and a couple of spammers masquerading as your random commenter. But their true nature reveals itself and you can see what kind of person they are, pseudonym or no pseudonym.
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Yup, that’s very true. Thanks
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I have no problem with people not using their real names when blogging. Cyberspace is wide open and it is wise to do what you can to keep safe. If that means having some anonymity it’s fine with me.
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Thanks Patricia! You’re absolutely right. 🙏🏼
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My family says I am too honest.. it’s all I know, it’s who I am. Points well taken. Lots of food for thought Sadje!
💕
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Nothing wrong with being fully honest even online as long as you’re safe. Thanks
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Absolutely true Sadje!💖💖💖
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💗💕
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I agree. When I started blogging, it felt better to be under my pseudonym as it gave me the freedom to write about the things I truly wanted to talk about.
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Same here Maria. And like you, I’ve never abused this anonymity
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Our agendas are simply different than others, Sadje.
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Very true! 😍
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It seems some feel when they are behind a computer screen it’s easier to bully. I stay away from volatile discussions especially online. Blogs that are political and posts that discuss politics and/or politicians are not my cup of tea and I won’t read them. I even stopped following a few of them that got into the political arena.
I use my middle name as my online identity. I prefer not to write about myself and my life thus my preference in writing poetry. Even my poetry doesn’t reflect much about me personally.
I have no problem with someone not using their real name and not necessarily because they feel they can express their opinions but because it’s safer.
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This is very true Eugenia that online writing should be safe and tension free. No need to get into a volatile discussion and ruin one’s peace. Thanks
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Well, I didn’t mean to come across that people can’t voice their opinion and not write what they want. I’m just saying I don’t have to read it.
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I get it and I too avoid the senseless arguments. One cannot convince of convert someone else to our way of thinking so why waste energy and time.
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😉
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👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
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I prefer being anonymous here … i created this account to express freely without being judged by people who know me … and I really enjoy the company of my fellow readers here .. I cherish the friendships made 🙂 thanks for sharing your views Sadje 🙂
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Thanks Happy! I feel the same way.
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Thank you for posting such a sensitive topic. It always comes to mind, especially when l started noticing some of my followers are actually people very closer to me: neighbors and colleagues at work. They take different names in disguise to be posting to my site just to hurt me.
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Well, l mean just created sites. Some create it within an hour and are able to post to my blog while l don’t follow even follow them. It’s like they know me, as Eunice in real life but l don’t know them. I’m thinking of rebranding my …
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That must be disturbing for you.
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Oh, not very much. I have learnt to live with it.
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That’s the best way going forward. Adapting to our circumstances
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Well said. Thank you very much.
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😍
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That is something that people shouldn’t do. Online identity can be kept secret but no one should be hurt in the process. Thanks for sharing
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That is sad. I’ve experienced this only twice in many years of blogging: it’s not common on WordPress, I think. Luckily it was simple to delete their comments and they didn’t persist. I hope it’s not an ongoing issue for you?
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I chose to do the same thing. I like mystery of it all, but I also feel that some will hide who they are so they can be cruel to others.
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Very few in my experience are cruel or vindictive.
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That’s awesome!!!!!
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Yes, despite what we expect, I’ve mostly experienced kindness
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I blog anonymously mainly to protect others. My ex-husband who was an alcoholic and my daughter who doesn’t need to know how lost I truly get sometimes. There is definitely a security in being anonymous that give you more freedom to be honest, but not to the point of being evil.
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Very valid reasons Leigha. Anonymity is a shield sometimes. Thanks for sharing
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You’re welcome.
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💞
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Whatever your name, I’m glad to have made your acquaintance here on FB. 🙂
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Thanks a lot Susi.
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🙂 You’re welcome!
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🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
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In your article and the comments are several wise reasons for remaining anonymous. I understand more about this now. It’s an individual choice, after all, and depends on one’s situation, and priorities, and topic. Sadje, you prove daily that anonymity doesn’t stop you coming across as a living, breathing individual, and a kind, fun virtual friend. Perhaps anonymity even enables that : no need to be wary!
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Thanks a lot Rachel! I don’t regret that choice and your right that one can be more open regarding one’s opinions. Thanks
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