Tech | February 06, 2012 | 92 comments

The Internet Identity Crisis

source: http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/internet-identity-crisis-137991?page=1

Image
TanzaniteDiamonds
The Internet Identity Crisis:

To use or not to use a real name on the Web is not always a user's prerogative. But maybe it should be. By Ki Mae Heussner


http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/internet-identity-crisis-137991?page=1
  1. groups:
    Community,   Tech,   Culture,   Current Tonight,   13 more
  2. tags:
    Webmash,  The internet,  nymwars
  3.     
    |

92 comments // The Internet Identity Crisis

  • cztheday
    • +5
      cztheday  

    • My compromise was to use my real photo with a pseudonym. A name is just a label - one that in my opinion can be more readily abused by those who seek to harm others. I like the photos. You can get a sense of the person's character and personality. I am too long in the tooth to be impressed with superficial beauty. But I find that that the joys and sorrows, triumpths and tribulations of a person's lifetime are often written in various ways in the ways their faces develop over the years. I am far more interested in the depth of "Tom's" character as expressed in his eyes, laugh lines, frown lines, etc. than in the fact that he is labelled "Tom."

    • 4 months ago
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
    • 0
      TanzaniteDiamonds  
    • cztheday:

      Thank you for sharing your photo and your personal thoughts along with your experiences on this topic. You've brought up a great point about photos (instead of a *name*) can have the ability to show a lot about a person's "character". I, especially, think that can be seen in the eyes and a smile. Your words resonate with the warmth of your smile in your picture above.

      I also think it's also helpful when sites offer PM as a feature (as this site does) to be able to communicate with members more *privately* to be able to further see "a person's character and personality" in their words --- when they're spoken directly one-on-one in PM -- without having to reveal personal e-mail addys.

    • 4 months ago
  • Almibry
    • +6
      Almibry  

    • While this raises some interesting questions, I think it may be a moot point. I think that people over estimate the power of pseudonyms. People tend to choose what they can relate to, something that they would respond to if their pseudonym happened to be yelled across a room, so it seems like most could be deciphered by a determined individual.
      As for the "real name only movement" being backed by advertisers, I wonder if they realize how stupid it is to choose comercials/advertisements for people based on a tiny amount of information. I've gotten into the habit of watching ads to see how they change in relation to my recent activity on the internet and I'm seeing a lot of useless ads for products I don't need anymore. Maybe if they made a program that could predict what I might want next (instead of what I wanted yesterday) I might click on one with the intention of buying something instead of clicking on one by accident once a year. For example: ever since I built a website for my employer's business, I'm getting a lot of ads for buying domain names and hosting services. I've already made these purchases and I'm not going to make another purchase like that one for another year, so wouldn't it make more sense to offer me software for managing multiple social media outlets from the same place?
      Then there's the fact that two thirds of all advertisements make me feel incredibly violent and I don't want to shop to feel better, I want to punch someone. So I guess what I'm saying is if you want to get my business through online advertising, show a video game where I can cut someone in half with a claymore. I'd click on that.
      BTW I have 3 account on facebook, none of them accurate and none have been removed (it helps to have a seperate e-mail for each) and 5 e-mail accounts, with only one under my real name and that's for work.
      Suck on that Google.

    • 4 months ago
  • remanns
    • +2
      remanns  
    • Almibry:

      heh ! ~" As for the "real name only movement" being backed by advertisers, I wonder if they realize how stupid it is to choose comercials/advertisements for people based on a tiny amount of information. I've gotten into the habit of watching ads to see how they change in relation to my recent activity on the internet and I'm seeing a lot of useless ads for products I don't need anymore. Maybe if they made a program that could predict what I might want next (instead of what I wanted yesterday) . . . etc"

      Yepper -thats the problem ! Sounds like you have a nack for the field ! ( Solve THAT sort of thing and you're set for life ; proper legalities / patents n such properly arranged in advance )

    • 4 months ago
  • remanns
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
  • Almibry
  • Almibry
  • The_Wanderer_Kansas
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
  • bailey78
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
  • remanns
  • bailey78
  • artemis6
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
  • PressCore
    • +9
      PressCore  

    • Imho, I think it's foolish & dangerous for people to use their real name
      in any social community posting. If personelle hired by intelligence
      agencies actualy were intelligent, instead of ignorant, they'd not be
      spying on innocent citizens anyway and seeking to steal from them.
      It's precisely because they are stupid that they couldn't be trusted
      not to twist someone's words to use them against them. Trash like
      that can't be trusted. What is the FBI, but spies, lies, betrayal anyway...
      The marketeers are every bit as hyperagressive. They seek to use
      the birth names of citizens to advertise for them w/o pay, which is a
      violation of section 50 of our New York State civil rights law. Violating
      that right from outside N.Y.doesn't make it less than the Misdemeanor
      it is, nor any New Yorker less than the victims of marketeers. It's been
      a policy of Corporations that they own the markets consumers make
      up. So it's not hard to see they feel they own our money too as they
      regard us the same way they valued Dred Scott. Anyone who feels
      I am a slave or should be enslaved has a death wish.

    • 4 months ago
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
  • PressCore
    • +4
      PressCore  
    • TanzaniteDiamonds:

      De nada. I felt it's my duty to point that out. When our lawful right to privacy
      is under siege, then I'm reminded of the phrase " a man's home is his castle "
      No law abiding people ever use any means to attack or make war on anyone.
      Only criminals use that m.o.

    • 4 months ago
  • TomCat1948
    • +7
      TomCat1948  

    • I started using TomCat so many years ago, when everyone I knew used handles, that it's become my web identity. I tried using my real name but in the run up to Bush's War for Oil and Conquest in Iraq I posted a series of articles questioning the authenticity of his WMD evidence. I was waylaid outside my apartment by a group of right-wing thugs and hurt pretty badly. As long as Republicans are in love with 2nd Amendment solutions, I'll use my web ID.

    • 4 months ago
  • artemis6
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
  • TomCat1948
  • TomCat1948
    • +2
      TomCat1948  
    • TanzaniteDiamonds:

      I agree and thanks, but it's nothing new. Although I have never demonstrated violently, I left blood in a dozen US cities in the 1960s. Violence is the last resort of the incompetent, and that's why the right depends on it.

    • 4 months ago
  • Almibry
  • thedirtman
  • Henry58
  • The_Wanderer_Kansas
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
  • jimstoner
  • COMMONSENSEFORCOMMONGOOD_COM
  • jimstoner
    • +5
      jimstoner  
    • COMMONSENSEFORCOMMONGOOD_COM:

      I know what the post is about. Using a nom de plume isn't going to give someone a whole lot of privacy. I use my real name on any site I am on. I have noticed in the past how unique this is. If "Big Brother" wanted to find me, or any hacker for that matter, my IP address is a lot more unique than my name. This site has my name, address, phone number and postal code, as do a lot of web sites I frequent. My point is, if someone wants to find you, they will find you no matter what you call yourself. I know that some people have to protect their identity for employment and other reasons, but I think a lot of the online names are so people can have fun coming up with one, or they just never gave any real thought to using their own.

    • 4 months ago
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
    • +3
      TanzaniteDiamonds  
    • jimstoner:

      True. They will find you if they want to find you no matter what, but I do think it can be an uncomfortable feeling for some individuals (including myself) to divulge a real name online, but just because I don't post my own name online, there is still no way for me to stop someone else (who knows my name) from posting it online, elsewhere; I've already had that happen against my wishes.

      Indeed! Moniker names *should* be fun, but they can also be the target of cyber-bullying incidents by any keyboard warrior who has to bully *just* for the sake of bullying someone behind his/her anonymous name.

    • 4 months ago
  • Almibry
    • +2
      Almibry  
    • jimstoner:

      " My point is, if someone wants to find you, they will find you no matter what you call yourself."
      Speak for yourself. I'm only found when I allow myself to be found.
      :P

    • 4 months ago
  • jimstoner
  • MotherForTruth
    • +3
      MotherForTruth  

    • This is a great subject, thank you for posting this article. There are many angles of Anonymity but it simply comes down to a strong stand for a freedom of choice.

    • 4 months ago
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
  • scooter3282
    • +8
      scooter3282  

    • Anonymity is a double-edged sword when it comes to the internet. It allows for true evil to lurk around its confines and prey upon unsuspecting individuals, but it also keeps the evil from ones from pursuing fresh trails of intended victims. It is best to fight fire with fire at times.

    • 4 months ago
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
  • scooter3282
  • letsliveinpeace
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
  • letsliveinpeace
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
    • +1
      TanzaniteDiamonds  
    • letsliveinpeace:

      lol! You're welcome. Speaking of nicknames and avatars, I wonder if anyone knows if the *glitch* for changing avatars has been completely fixed. Sorry, that's a little bit off-topic, but I think it affects all Current members who may want to upload new avatars. Curious Tanz.

    • 4 months ago
  • Ambill94
    • +3
      Ambill94  

    • With the growing pairs of eyes and ears watching and listening to everything we say and write and do, it's no wonder many people are reluctant to use their real names true identity or whatever...Not that those from the various intelligence agencies, police agencies, hackers and other types of snoops can't find your identity...they can and legions of them can...but making it easy for friends, enemies, people who have significant influence in your life might not be a good plan depending on your level of concern...

      Is that paranoia?...perhaps, over-cautious?,,,could be, realistic concern...absolutely...that is why so many people self-sensor on sites like this...you can sometimes tell how certain people express themselves that they would prefer to rail against more specific targets or use language that might trip the sensors etc, but they hold back...self sensor..

      Have had discussions on here where people have expressed the idea that they believe just our conversing on these threads has on more than one list in more than one agency etc...

    • 4 months ago
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
    • +1
      TanzaniteDiamonds  
    • Ambill94:

      Great comment, Ambill94 (glad your post went through this time).

      No, I don't think it's paranoia. I believe it's being extra cautious because everything we write --- including what we're posting here on this thread -- leaves a digital trace online. Once it's "out there", there's no getting it back.

    • 4 months ago
  • Ambill94
  • MotherForTruth
    • +3
      MotherForTruth  
    • Ambill94:

      I would have never thought I would be fearful of our government but I am. I am not fearful about what I say on blogs because there is no limit to a number of ways one can get on "The List". Reasons for not using a real name are many. I follow a rule never discuss politics or religion at work. Expressing opinion without these constraints is a great choice for many.

    • 4 months ago
  • Ambill94
  • MotherForTruth
  • Wyley_Wombat
    • +7
      Wyley_Wombat  

    • I would never use my real name and picture in any discussion group in which I discuss hot button items such as religion and politics. One never knows if and when this will be used against you. I do however use LinkedIn and have always felt a degree of unease about putting my information out there on line, but if I want to use it to further my career what choice do I have.

    • 4 months ago
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
  • letsliveinpeace
  • Wyley_Wombat
    • +3
      Wyley_Wombat  
    • TanzaniteDiamonds:

      I get a lot of spam, mostly those promising lucrative "work from home" opportunities. I am not sure these are connected with LinkedIn as they seem to point to CareerBuilder. I do get emails promoting on line courses and I think that they might have some connection to LinkedIn.

    • 4 months ago
  • MotherForTruth
  • remanns
    • +6
      remanns  

    • p.p.s. -anonymity DOES frequently seem to lead to rudeness in great EXCESS to what an individuals BALLS are actually good for in person.

      Bring back dueling.

      Actually,....if they would bring back dueling, I would be OK with the total absence of anonymity ! Absolutely.

      p.p.p.s. . . . .and marketers can go fuck themselves - - -any green field with single shot pistols, anytime,....parasites !

    • 4 months ago
  • jackhole
    • 0
      jackhole  
    • Image
    • remanns:

      I think it has to do a lot with the forum. My blog is visited mainly by HPers who can barely post an opinion there without it going into moderation, when they are on the realm they hardly cuss. Even when the occasional troll shows up we mainly mock them.

      Even here where there's plenty of slack folks go beyond what's needed to get their "FUCKING" :-) POINT across.

      Go to yahoo and you find tough guys calling you names and willing to behead you for having the" WRONG" OPINION. KINDA funny in a way.
      http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s145/pkdmslf/InternetToughGuy.jpg

    • 4 months ago
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
  • jackhole
  • remanns
  • remanns
    • +4
      remanns  
    • jackhole:

      +^d
      A whole lot of basic "blowing off steam" takes place on-line,....but some folks seem to REVEL in carrying that chip on a shoulder.

      Personally, I find yelling ( in person ) a hell of a lot more cathartic than YELLING ! ( in text ),....

      now,....a snipey lil bit of satire now and then . . . .

    • 4 months ago
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
    • +6
      TanzaniteDiamonds  
    • jackhole:

      "hardly cuss"?? ~ahem~ There are Google links that prove otherwise (I've seen plenty of cussing at the realm), but we won't "go there".

      Your picture above of the Internet Tough Guy above (I hope that's not you? *wink*), also makes me want to emphasize -- the importance of the risks -- when posting on blog sites with blog site owners who share IP info; it's always a risk to post on any blog site if one does not want their IP known. As a commenter on any blog site, one has no way of knowing whether or not an IP will be kept in confidence or shared with other nefarious individuals.

    • 4 months ago
  • remanns
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
  • remanns
    • +6
      remanns  

    • I do agree that having two identities is ( generally ) indicative of a lack of integrity ; it IS sort of pussy,.....unless you're BATMAN or ZORRO.

      BUT - - - if I had to use my full proper name on c u r r e n t,....well, I just wouldn't MAKE political statements about all sorts of topics until the moment I was imminently about to take up arms and head to the hills as a full on rebel.

      Yepper, pretty much.

      I would still post some art now and then though.

      p.s. "G U I L L O T I N E !" and "get EVIL 4 WEED !" HUZZAH !

    • 4 months ago
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
  • remanns
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
  • jackhole
    • +5
      jackhole  

    • Besides the obvious, it's never a good idea to expose one's identity, it leaves an individual open to:

      Politics getting in the way of work ( think Susan Komen foundation )
      You may post a strong opinion that embarrasses family ( i.e. Hitler was cool! )
      You will have a hard time shaking off any smears against you. ( ie. Jack Nicholson is the devil)

      All this relates to the average mild poster, imagine an outspoken person.

      I find that those who want to know who others are on-line, hide behind the transparency umbrella but ultimately have sinister motives behind their words, every time.

    • 4 months ago
  • remanns
  • jackhole
  • Incredulous
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
    • +4
      TanzaniteDiamonds  
    • jackhole:

      Some good points about the work force, but I must admit when I'm dealing with a Customer Service Dept. of any business (online or in person), it's a lot more reassuring to have a contact NAME, even if it's just a first name.

      Nothing is more frustrating than writing to someone who doesn't even have the professional courtesy to let you know who you're dealing with; I don't like it, and I think it makes for much more *effective* communication when dealing with someone who is giving you their name. It's also nice to have recourse in case of future problems, too.

    • 4 months ago
  • Ambill94
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
    • +3
      TanzaniteDiamonds  
    • Ambill94:

      So sorry to hear that, ambill94. How frustrating. Please know I've had it happen to me , too. And, I do know it has happened to another member, as well.

      I'm curious: By any chance, did you get a small "error 404 code" in red the moment that happened to your comment? The reason I ask is because the last couple of times that happened to me, it's the only thing that showed up on the screen, while my entire comment was zapped.

      fwiw, I usually write longer posts in a separate document, and then "copy and paste" them onto this comment box, once I'm ready to post them; I learned that one the hard way.

      If you get a chance to rewrite your comment, it would be great to see your opinion on this topic, too.

    • 4 months ago
  • Ambill94
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
  • Incredulous
    • +5
      Incredulous  
    • Ambill94:

      What might help, if you are writing in another word program and cutting and pasting, is to turn on the invisibles tag. There are invisible tags associated with different word programs, and if you pick up one of those tags with your text, some programs have problems with them. Usually, it will be something like a paragraph tag or a space tag. Making them visible will help you to just copy the text and not the tags....hope this helps.

    • 4 months ago
  • Ambill94
  • Leen61
    • +7
      Leen61  

    • No way will I use my real name. I do not give out my e-mail address to anybody I don't know or trust. So, it's Leen61 for me here on the board. :)

    • 4 months ago
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
  • Leen61
  • Incredulous
    • +6
      Incredulous  

    • I think people have to decide, based on their own circumstances, employment, political affiliations, etc.

      I read an interesting piece about British royalty and how the queen enjoys using the anonymity of the internet to engage in activities royals are usually prevented from taking part in. I think that is one of the clear advantages of anonymity and the internet. Of course there are disadvantages to anonymity as well, but then, we live in a buyer beware culture.

      good post +^d!

    • 4 months ago
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
  • Progresshiv
    • +8
      Progresshiv  

    • I cannot use my real name, because if my boss found out about my political views, I would get fired. The Internet is a tool for me, and it should not be the other way around.

    • 4 months ago
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
  • MSII
    • +5
      MSII  
    • Progresshiv:

      I understand completely! I have some suspicions about a former employer I had who had -extreme- ultra-right-wing views. In a sane society we'd have freedom of our beliefs and you know speech... Ah but as long as the "corporate persons" have freedom of speech well then alls well with the world!

    • 4 months ago
  • Progresshiv
  • remanns
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
more from Tech:
from the community

top videos