Blogcritics: Comments on On blogging anonymously...or not

Comment by andy marsh

Wed, 16 Mar 2005 09:11:08 EST

Lisa, you can count on it!

Comment by Lisa McKay

Wed, 16 Mar 2005 09:09:35 EST

Shark, I've read Sadi's story, and it's pretty damn scary, I agree. Right now, this feels like the right decision for me, but I did give it a whole lot of thought before I did it. Andy, I'm sure I will receive the same gentlemanly courtesy from you that I've become accustomed to, regardless of what name I choose to use :-)

Comment by andy marsh

Wed, 16 Mar 2005 08:53:53 EST

DA or LM, either way, I'm sure your opinions will still be just as well received...or not! I don't use my real name...I only call myself Andrew when I really screw up...and I never call myself junior!

Comment by Shark

Wed, 16 Mar 2005 08:24:59 EST

I've been ME and I've been Anonymous. When I wrote a weekly column (in a local alt newspaper), I received three death threats in a year. One was from a Right-Wing "Christian" terrorist group that sounded like something out of the Russian Mafia. One contained a letter smeared in humanoid poop (the good news: they included their own DNA evidence for the FBI!) They ALL sounded serious and crazy. I was scared for months -- everytime I opened my garage door, I expected the worst. It ain't fun. In a nation of 280,000,000 semi-insane violent nutbars, I'll stay anonymous, thank you. PS: In writing, there's a thin line between 'credit' and 'blame'. PPS: Read the Sadi story link above for some real chills. ~Brrrrrr.

Comment by Eric Olsen

Wed, 16 Mar 2005 05:57:08 EST

Smegma, who is also about ten other people here on Blogcritics comments, and who almost universally says stupid, hateful, vile, unimaginative things: shut the fuck up. Seriously. We are all really sick of you. Hi Lisa, my name is as all over the Internet as pretty much anyone's can be, and I've never had a single problem. Welcome to the light, Luke; sorry iwas so freaked out Monday night.

Comment by Steve S

Tue, 15 Mar 2005 17:35:52 EST

I would imagine that some triple x sites have complete categories devoted to smegma. Seriously though, Sadi Ranson-Polizzotti posted a story about how some BlogCritics members did get their names abused. It can happen. But conversely, you can never take credit for your words/work, unless you put your name on it.

Comment by Eric Berlin

Tue, 15 Mar 2005 17:21:22 EST

Ah, Smegma returns.

Comment by Smegma

Tue, 15 Mar 2005 17:19:07 EST

That's all fine and well until your name begins appearing at triple x sites. Then you won't feel so smart.

Comment by NancyGail

Tue, 15 Mar 2005 17:09:31 EST

I use my own name too, but not my full one. Simply because there is no way to be sure the people are who they say they are.

Comment by Tristan

Tue, 15 Mar 2005 07:30:44 EST

And the TRUTH shall set you free ........... Truth is Truth--- no matter the "label" ... Do whatever makes you Comfortable ~~~ but DO .....!!!!!!!

Comment by Lisa McKay

Tue, 15 Mar 2005 06:56:10 EST

Thanks, guys. It still feels a little strange. Temple, I totally agree with your statement about ultimately judging a person by the content of what they post - there are a few folks around here who post under psuedonyms that I deem quite credible, and of course the opposite is true as well.

Comment by Temple Stark

Tue, 15 Mar 2005 00:00:05 EST

Aaman's your real name? OMG :-) Thanks LM. I believe crediblity only goes so far. There are people under psuedonyms who have far more crediblity than those with their real names. That's because you can judge them on the facts - or not - they bring to the table.

Comment by Eric Olsen

Mon, 14 Mar 2005 23:36:29 EST

Um, we were down for over an hour?

Comment by Eric Berlin

Mon, 14 Mar 2005 23:29:20 EST

Congrats, Lisa, it is a tough hurdle to jump over. As is putting anything in print, even in the transient medium of the Net. I think you're right though: it does boost credibility. That said, a name is just a name: after you see anyone in print for a little while, it's fairly easy to get a general sense of someone's sensibilities, attitudes, demeanor, etc.

Comment by Aaman

Mon, 14 Mar 2005 23:19:27 EST

Good for you:) I made the choice, early on, to blog under my own name for similar reasons - to stake a claim to one's work - although I do use various noms de plume across the web we weave to make points I would not probably make as myself.