Alias or Real People ?
- Thread starter oldzilla
- Start date
Saying people should put up their real names (or as stated in another thread, real names be required on this forum) is silly, unless everyone personally knows everyone else. What's to stop someone from making up some fake but real looking name. I could say my name is Chris (my real name is David), this whole real name vs alias topic would no longer be discussed when in actuality nothing would be different.
Unless someone can come up with a way to ensure that people are using their real name, there is no reason to even discuss this.
Unless someone can come up with a way to ensure that people are using their real name, there is no reason to even discuss this.
When you sign on to the forum your credit card will be charged $1.00 to support the forum and to verify your name and address.
How is that?
No tickee, no washee and if you can't afford $1.00 or a credit card maybe you (the general you, not you specifically) should be someplace else.
Oh and before you say it, sure some people will take out phonny credit cards. There are frauds in all areas of life, we do what we can (all of us not you and I).
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Jerry Forsyth
Well-known member
Obviously, I prefer real names. I have never understood the need for screen names. But I also firmly believe in personal freedom and so would hope that everyone just put their real name underneath their nickname. I would like to avoid as many rules as possible but if we ever did have to verify names we would do it by sending Jay Helfert to every house. You would have to show Jay your ID and feed him brownies and ice cream or he would sit and tell you pool stories for two days.
blah blah
Shoebat
You may not remember this, but long ago on AZB a guy lost his job because someone didn’t like what he had to say- on AZB.
Old timers help me out on the specifics, here: The guy posted his opinion, and someone (adversary or bystander, I don't know) figured out his IP address, researched his location, and then complained anonymously to his boss that the guy was posting during work hours from a work address. The dude was fired.
Now THAT'S standing up for your opinions.
Old timers help me out on the specifics, here: The guy posted his opinion, and someone (adversary or bystander, I don't know) figured out his IP address, researched his location, and then complained anonymously to his boss that the guy was posting during work hours from a work address. The dude was fired.
Now THAT'S standing up for your opinions.
When you sign on to the forum your credit card will be charged $1.00 to support the forum and to verify your name and address.
How is that?
No tickee, no washee and if you can't afford $1.00 or a credit card maybe you (the general you, not you specifically) should be someplace else.
Oh and before you say it, sure some people will take out phonny credit cards. There are frauds in all areas of life, we do what we can (all of us not you and I).
I have a better idea: Anyone who wants to know my real name send me a dollar and I will tell you.
Geeezh!
you sir are well above the normal philosophical l level of 95% of these trolls on this board.
Rep to you for making common sense seem not so common any more...
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Shoebat
You got me with your common sense. And on further reflection, it is crucial to my sense of well- being that you believe everything I say on AZB, and that you take my opinions with the highest respect.
I am not Blah Blah. Don't call me Mike Hunt. I live in Utah, not California.
I am the real John Fiedelschnitzer.
I am not Blah Blah. Don't call me Mike Hunt. I live in Utah, not California.
I am the real John Fiedelschnitzer.
Obviously, I prefer real names. I have never understood the need for screen names. But I also firmly believe in personal freedom and so would hope that everyone just put their real name underneath their nickname. I would like to avoid as many rules as possible but if we ever did have to verify names we would do it by sending Jay Helfert to every house. You would have to show Jay your ID and feed him brownies and ice cream or he would sit and tell you pool stories for two days.
Hold the cookies -- I'll take the pool stories :grin-square:
What he said (for JoeW)-----By the way my real name if anyone is interested is Lou Austin--- Port Isabel, Tx. go by the screen name phishman which is a play on what I do for a living.
i don't think i could give people anymore info and feel comfortable. i've put pictures of myself on here. i have proclaimed multiple times that i am in the atlanta area and what rooms i frequent. my first name and nickname are in my sig line and there's a pic of the butt of my custom cue for my avatar. if you need me you can find me. i am not giving last name and address, too many f*cktards on the internet. i've never had the kind of problem with another member that would warrant us needing to meet in person, but if i did all they have to do is say the word and we can find each other.
I participate in a golf discussion group that requires real names. It is certainly less hostile than some of the stuff here, but you still have internet tough guys trying to stir things up. With that said, it is way more civil and I have met a lot of good people from that site. I have also met a lot of good people on this site as well though.
I do not think it is so much that you or I want to be believed or trusted here or anywhere else in life. My primary way of being is to help others find the truth, not my truth but their truth, whatever that may be. I am very much an empiricist and think that we should have ways to help others find whatever truths we may think there are in life.
The real problem is the idea that people who hide behind a pseudonymn find themselves like members of other groups such as the Klan. I am not saying they are no different than Klan members, I am saying that the problems are similar.
Research has been very consistent. When people are anonymous they are less empathic and tend to be more vicious. The use of a pseudonymn encourages the person to be less caring and to be less responsible. Therein lies the problem.
However, it is also true that if I take the time to write it is because I think I have something to say and I would like you to at least consider that it was written with some degree of integrity. So, in a sense, yes, I too seek respectability whether I admit it to myself or not. Else why even be here?
I have absolutely no problems with people using their real name or a nickname. At the poolhall, I can't tell you how many players I knew only by their nickname. I certainly didn't think they had less credibility just because they wouldn't give up their real name. I've met several AZers in person and I still don't know their real name (nor am I at all curious).
Just tell me what you want me to call you and I'll go with it. You say your name is Stinky, no problem, that's how I'll refer to you.
If you really want to know smeone's real name on here, why not PM them and if they feel comfortable with you, they may simply tell you. As for me, I'm not that concerned.
Just tell me what you want me to call you and I'll go with it. You say your name is Stinky, no problem, that's how I'll refer to you.
If you really want to know smeone's real name on here, why not PM them and if they feel comfortable with you, they may simply tell you. As for me, I'm not that concerned.
In the end I am suggesting that the person should consider the dangers (to themselves) of using a pseudonym. It is better to accept the responsibility for one’s actions by letting your name be known. I do not think that it needs to be a confessional with all secrets bared but simply a responsible adult where we are willing to accept responsibility for our statements. The alternative is fraught with problems.
I don’t know, but I would bet, that some people have been disappointed maybe even ashamed by their own comments. Some have burned bridges that they now regret. Being who you are makes you think before you hit that ENTER key.
Most of us had to get drunk a few times before we realized that it is not a good thing to do. We have drinking laws because young people have not had sufficient experience to realize the dangers of alcohol. There can be (not must be) a kind of drunkenness that can come with too much anonymity.
I don’t know, but I would bet, that some people have been disappointed maybe even ashamed by their own comments. Some have burned bridges that they now regret. Being who you are makes you think before you hit that ENTER key.
Most of us had to get drunk a few times before we realized that it is not a good thing to do. We have drinking laws because young people have not had sufficient experience to realize the dangers of alcohol. There can be (not must be) a kind of drunkenness that can come with too much anonymity.
I never use my real name on the internet. Here's why:
About 10 years ago, I unwittingly helped a company fold and lose hundreds of millions. Without going into details, a bunch of computer enthusiasts and I wrote a piece of free software that helped destroy their entire business model. It was one of these companies without any viability that was created to cash in on the internet craze of the time. It collapsed when the internet bubble burst, but we accelerated their fate.
The affair made a quite a bit of noise at the time, and a crafty journalist from a rather well known rag called me over the phone, claiming to be a law student interested in the case, and managed to get a quote from me saying the company's execs have no case against us, that their company will fail anyway, and that they should shut up. The quote was printed in the rag, and also in the online version on their website.
Since then, when you look up my real name on the internet, the idea you get of me is that I'm a reckless computer hacker who made a lot of investors lose a lot of money. I since changed line of work, I no longer work in computing, but each and every time I go for a job interview, I always - and I mean ALWAYS - get that line: "sooo, you look like the ideal candidate, but... well... how to say this... there's a little thing I'd like to clear up, because frankly you worry me as a business owner. Could you tell me what happened in 2000 with this company?". So I have to explain, in detail, how things happened, why I am not the root cause of their failure, and it's always very embarrassing. It's been 10 years and it still comes up.
The moral of this story? the internet never forgets anything. EVER. What you say under your real name WILL come back to haunt you some day. IT WILL. What you say today that seems harmless may reveal things about you you'd rather not say years from now, and you can't know what circumstances will change in your life in advance. When you post anything on the internet, you should consider as private and discreet as shouting in a crowded restaurant.
Don't post on a forum that you slept in and told your boss you were sick. He'll know. If he doesn't, a potential employer will some day.
Don't post that you like bungee jumping, your medical insurance will know and refuse your claim because you didn't disclose dangerous activities to avoid paying premium.
Don't ask on a medical website how to cure gonorrhea, your future wife that you haven't even met yet, that you'll promise you never slept with anybody before her, will find out.
Don't post on AZBilliards that you have a collection of genuine Balabushka cues, someone is bound to figure out your address and break into your home.
Think I'm paranoid? well, take your chances. I know I won't do the same mistake twice.
!!! THE INTERNET NEVER FORGETS !!!
About 10 years ago, I unwittingly helped a company fold and lose hundreds of millions. Without going into details, a bunch of computer enthusiasts and I wrote a piece of free software that helped destroy their entire business model. It was one of these companies without any viability that was created to cash in on the internet craze of the time. It collapsed when the internet bubble burst, but we accelerated their fate.
The affair made a quite a bit of noise at the time, and a crafty journalist from a rather well known rag called me over the phone, claiming to be a law student interested in the case, and managed to get a quote from me saying the company's execs have no case against us, that their company will fail anyway, and that they should shut up. The quote was printed in the rag, and also in the online version on their website.
Since then, when you look up my real name on the internet, the idea you get of me is that I'm a reckless computer hacker who made a lot of investors lose a lot of money. I since changed line of work, I no longer work in computing, but each and every time I go for a job interview, I always - and I mean ALWAYS - get that line: "sooo, you look like the ideal candidate, but... well... how to say this... there's a little thing I'd like to clear up, because frankly you worry me as a business owner. Could you tell me what happened in 2000 with this company?". So I have to explain, in detail, how things happened, why I am not the root cause of their failure, and it's always very embarrassing. It's been 10 years and it still comes up.
The moral of this story? the internet never forgets anything. EVER. What you say under your real name WILL come back to haunt you some day. IT WILL. What you say today that seems harmless may reveal things about you you'd rather not say years from now, and you can't know what circumstances will change in your life in advance. When you post anything on the internet, you should consider as private and discreet as shouting in a crowded restaurant.
Don't post on a forum that you slept in and told your boss you were sick. He'll know. If he doesn't, a potential employer will some day.
Don't post that you like bungee jumping, your medical insurance will know and refuse your claim because you didn't disclose dangerous activities to avoid paying premium.
Don't ask on a medical website how to cure gonorrhea, your future wife that you haven't even met yet, that you'll promise you never slept with anybody before her, will find out.
Don't post on AZBilliards that you have a collection of genuine Balabushka cues, someone is bound to figure out your address and break into your home.
Think I'm paranoid? well, take your chances. I know I won't do the same mistake twice.
!!! THE INTERNET NEVER FORGETS !!!