The die is cast, the news is out. I am me. No longer can I hide behind that suave and debonair leader of the pack, Alpha, nor even his previous incarnation Francisco (which really is sort of me). Now I have come out of the Internet closet and returned to being Howard Dratch. I am ready to decide if I prefer the reality of my life or my screen name. Luckily, I never changed my personality to reflect the moniker. I am still brilliant, handsome, powerful and filled with humor, youth and life. But then, you can't see me behind the screen so who are you to know?
That, then, is a big question for the outed blogger. Are you any more visible with your own name than the name (if not persona) you chose one day and inserted in the blank box? Do you love yourself or your doppelganger of the LCD display? Is there reason to have a nom de keyboard?
Often there is. If you are working for the CIA, Bush White House, FBI, or McDonald's you had better be careful. They think that talking to yourself is a breach of security. Recent articles on the net have reminded us that the proliferation of ever smaller memory devices and hard drives (an iPod, for example) means that agencies and companies are more vulnerable to data loss. The leaks can be large even though the device is small. Go to work, Mr. Industrial Espionage, fill your pocket knife with 512mb and home you go with the latest information.
Why did I begin with a screen name? I guess because it has been the way of the internet since it began or since Whoopi Goldberg made Jumping Jack Flash. Why else? There was the temptation of anonymity for a resident alien in a foreign and strange culture. But even primitive south of the border types now have access to computers (although the federal office I was in today still used diskettes).
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Article comments
1 - El Bicho
Well written piece. Hope it works out for you.
2 - Lisa McKay
Welcome to the light of day, Howard. Your words here at Blogcritics are warmly received regardless of how you choose to call yourself.
I made this decision a while back, too. I cast absolutely no judgment on those who choose to do otherwise, as there are many valid reasons to choose anonymity online, but in the end, my ego got the better of me. No ill effects as of yet.
3 - DJRadiohead
What's in a name, right? A DJRadiohead by another name would... nevermind.
Nice piece.
4 - Elvira Black
Hey Howard...so nice to meet you!
You said:
"The problem is that writing is the end of anonymity. Pen name or not, screen name or not, the writer craves attention and recognition."
You've hit the nail on the keys as far as I'm concerned. Ms. X did get some checks for her freelance writing using her--er, my--real name, but it was really all about getting my name (real or assumed) out there. Now I'm so used to being referred to as Elvira and writing "Elvira Black" in the name box that I don't even think about my "real:" name in the Blogosphere anymore. Maybe is is a bit like being a "double agent" or having a split personality--or something.
In my case, I have what I consider valid reasons for using my "nom de keyboard" (love that phrase!). And you certainly had yours and then some. I was horrified to read what you'd been through with that troll-scum you mentioned.
Fabulous piece, Howard! And, um, a big thank you from me and especially from Elvira for linking to her post--craven publicity whore and blog slut that she is (lol).
5 - Squire
A Doppelganger "by any other name" !