why false names

[hitchiker]

As is norm , everybody here uses false names , only one person i know of has posted a picture of herself ( Aether ) maybe one or to others gave out there names, is all the secrecy about identity really neccesary , are people really afraid of mormons , does using false names allow active mormons to participate here without having to be honest about where there allegiances are , are we being cowards by not giving out true identity, all comments welcome

[miss taken]

As is norm , everybody here uses false names , only one person i know of has posted a picture of herself ( Aether ) maybe one or to others gave out there names, is all the secrecy about identity really neccesary , are people really afraid of mormons , does using false names allow active mormons to participate here without having to be honest about where there allegiances are , are we being cowards by not giving out true identity, all comments welcome

My real name is Mary!!! :)

[darkslider]

Interesting idea. . . one that doesn't quite jive with me, though.

I have been using the online alias of "Darkslider" for nearly 10 years now. When I register on any website, I register as Darkslider (unless someone else stole it previously).

I have never been one to hide behind anonymous postings, and, while empathetic to why they do, I do not understand the reasons for people to do so.

I have posted pictures of myself and my wife, if I remember correctly, I even posted an invitation to my wedding reception.

Phone number, address, emails, ect.

Bryan Inks
207 W. Thornberry Way
Pleasant Grove UT 840?? (I don't remember the last two digits)

(801) 427-3659

Write me. . . call me. . . I am trying to arrainge transportation to SLC for the get-together. . . if there is anyone in Utah County heading up, please contact me, I can pay for gas :)

[peter_mary]

Well, speaking for myself, it's not actually me I'm protecting, but my wife. She runs a business here in the Mormon corridor (which I realize is a concept that might not make sense to you in New Zealand) which is absolutely reputation based. The one thing she begged of me when we began leaving the church was that above all, we not create a scandal. Doing so would absolutely jeopardize her business, whether we like it or not.

When I first began posting on this site, I was not concerned about identity (and those who are savvy know that at one time there WAS a picture of moi, but only if you figured it out). Then about 8 months ago I got word that my bishop was snooping around asking members of our Ward about a website I was involved with, and my wife went nuts. The last thing she needed was to have her husband excommunicated for participating with an "apostate organization." So I tried to clean up my tracks and live behind at least a little bit of a shroud.

In answer to your question, hitchiker, there are those of us who live in close proximity with oodles and gobs of Mormons who do in fact run the very real risk of being harmed by them. There will come a time in my life when that is not the case, but for now, this is what I live with.

Peter_Mary

[Fredl]

Hitchiker, the answer is really prettty simple: for many reasons, many if not most people are willing to express themselves much more freely under conditions that protect their anonymity. Some people don't care and they are free to use their own names. For those that do, for a variety of reasons, they are able to come here and express themselves openly and honestly without fear of reprisal or embarrasement.

Fred

[silverfox]

Hey, we are exposed here on the net. I don't think it's safe to post too much personal information because you have no idea who is lurking. I don't divulge much personal info not because of Mo'ism but because it's not safe. Period. All should use caution.

But, yes, many of us want to stay under cover so we don't stir up crap with TBM family and friends.

[lunaverse]

First, there's the general "internet anonymity" reason. We're out here, on the internet, where people can observe us anonymously themselves, and then possibly track us down. Not that anyone will, but to avoid spam and the possible weirdo, it's nice to be safe. Most internet forums lean more towards privacy. We live in a world where you can hardly make a purchase without your ident being recorded or your image being on camera, so I think there's a feeling of escape, too.

And unlike in real life, everything you put on the internet is usually kept forever, somewhere. Even if a website goes down, there are archives other sites keep. IRL, you can be stupid, wrong, insulting, whatever... And no one can prove or even sometimes remember. :) On the internet, there's a high level of committment to everything you say, as past idiocy can come back to haunt you forever.

For me, I'm only being half anonymous. It was hard for me to make the decision to use my real full name on my website and the Mormon-critical papers I write, but I had to, to give them credibility. I have to stand behind them.

However, the domain is registered without a visable address, phone number, or email address. This way I avoid spam of three kinds, and some other things I'd like to avoid... like my parents who currently don't know where I live, and I like it better that way, because they can be a little on the stalker side.

I'm also partially anonymous because my name is only partially my birth name. I changed it legally because I can. :) It's also a somewhat trendy thing to do among my friends here in Seattle. (We're all out-of-the-box thinkers.) And my old name was increasingly complicated, because I actually went by a nick-name version of my middle name, but my full legal name was on everything. So I basically had two nick names and a legal first name I never used. I'm sure there are some psychological reasons as well.

I have an unusual last name, and anyone with an ounce of research skills could figure out my old name in a few hours. :) Anyone who knows me could probably figure it out from this post.

Luna

[peter_mary]

"Flesher" is an unusual last name, and anyone with an ouch of research skills could figure out my old name in a few hours. :) Anyone who knows me could probably figure it out from this post.

Luna
I know who you are...oh yes, I do, and I don't even possess an "ouch" of research skills...but I DO possess a Peep Stone, and I make good use of it. I know who you are, Ms. "Luna" Flesher living in "Seatle," (whatever, we...er...I mean I know where you REALLY are... ;) ) and I know who your Mom is, too. I'll keep it secret provided you send a cashier's check in the amount of $10,000 to my account at...wait...I better PM you that information...it's personal, and I know YOU don't have a functioning peep stone to tell you!

:D

Peter_Mary

[lunaverse]

and I know YOU don't have a functioning peep stone to tell you!


Yes I do! I bought it from a religious fellow for only $1,500! So there! See? It's already saved me $8,500! And it looks pretty on my m... in a secret place in which is unknown to you!

Luna

[firefly]

I'm very involved in two online communities, one public, one private. On the public board, everyone uses a screen name, and folks are fairly guarded about their real identities and the details of their life. Even so, there have been a few kinda scarey stalkerish happenings over the years. My other board is private, invite only, and it's a totally different scene. Most of us have been communicating regularly for over 5 years, and probably 75 percent of us have met at least several other members in real life.

For me, anonymity here is not about fear of Mormons (as I have no fear of Mormons) it's about internet safety in general.

[elder_nomo]

Yes I do! I bought it from a religious fellow for only $1,500! So there! See? It's already saved me $8,500! And it looks pretty on my m... in a secret place in which is unknown to you!

Luna
OMG, Luna - you got a peep stone for only $1500 ???
I spent $1500 and all I got was a handful of magic beans. :(
Damn! I think I'll just toss them out the window.

PS... to the original thread....
Like many others, I just don't want my name all over the internet.
BTW, my real name is not Jack either. ;)

[nate]

Hmmmm..

My name's Nate!

[dogzilla]

Right, well, I'm Dogzilla on at least three different message boards and register at nearly every site using this name. Generally, the convention of fake names is used for the purpose of basic internet safety. I've met people from other boards and exchanged digits (and plants) and all that. If there's someone I don't want to see my posts, I don't mention to them what sites I post on. At the same time, sometimes I have jobs that mean it would be in my best interests for my employers to not know what types of things I publish online... or what time of day I'm posting, that sort of thing. So I don't use my real name a lot to keep things on the D.L.

:cool:

[peter_mary]

Right, well, I'm Dogzilla on at least three different message boards and register at nearly every site using this name. Generally, the convention of fake names is used for the purpose of basic internet safety. I've met people from other boards and exchanged digits (and plants) and all that. If there's someone I don't want to see my posts, I don't mention to them what sites I post on. At the same time, sometimes I have jobs that mean it would be in my best interests for my employers to not know what types of things I publish online... or what time of day I'm posting, that sort of thing. So I don't use my real name a lot to keep things on the D.L.

:cool:

Besides, then your avatar wouldn't make any sense! :D

Peter_Mary (whose own avatar makes NO sense...)

[dancinfree]

Boy, am I hurt....I take time to put out my picture and no one notices? sob, sob.

I do agree though that Aether is quite a cutiepie!! I'm sure she looks alot like her mom...hehehe.

[free thinker]

I use free thinker to create the illusion that I actually know how to think! :cool:


Actually as I just posted on another thread today, I have business interests to protect. A number of TBM clients who would not understand .


Boy, am I hurt....I take time to put out my picture and no one notices? sob, sob.

I noticed. I also then told myself you are happily married and therefore resisited the temptation to flirt. :cool:



free thinker

[silverfox]

Boy, am I hurt....I take time to put out my picture and no one notices? sob, sob.

I do agree though that Aether is quite a cutiepie!! I'm sure she looks alot like her mom...hehehe.

I remember your phots and Aethers and yes, both very attractive. Hell, I'd do ya if I was lesbian. (heh heh)

I remember posting that if anyone wanted to see my picture to send me a PM and I would send them a link. No one wanted to see. sniff sniff.

I had a negative experience on one of these boards over a year ago. Someone found my blog and started leaving weird rude name calling comments. I had posted photos of me and my family all over that board. And my real name. But this individual had some real issues and I worried he might have mental illness and come track me down. It was a bit frightening. Especially when you have kids to worry about.

So again if anyone wants to see me and my family send me a PM and I will send you a photo link. I'm not trying to be all that secretive. Ijust don't want to post personal info to a lurking audience I cannot see.

[miss taken]

I remember your phots and Aethers and yes, both very attractive. Hell, I'd do ya if I was lesbian. (heh heh)

I remember posting that if anyone wanted to see my picture to send me a PM and I would send them a link. No one wanted to see. sniff sniff.

I had a negative experience on one of these boards over a year ago. Someone found my blog and started leaving weird rude name calling comments. I had posted photos of me and my family all over that board. And my real name. But this individual had some real issues and I worried he might have mental illness and come track me down. It was a bit frightening. Especially when you have kids to worry about.

So again if anyone wants to see me and my family send me a PM and I will send you a photo link. I'm not trying to be all that secretive. Ijust don't want to post personal info to a lurking audience I cannot see.

Hey I want a picture!!!!
Mary

[free thinker]

I remember posting that if anyone wanted to see my picture to send me a PM and I would send them a link. No one wanted to see. sniff sniff.


I have seen Silver. Nice looking lady. Also the only person I know that looks good wearing temple garments outside her regular clothes! :D


free thinker

[peter_mary]

I remember posting that if anyone wanted to see my picture to send me a PM and I would send them a link. No one wanted to see. sniff sniff.


I have seen Silver. Nice looking lady. Also the only person I know that looks good wearing temple garments outside her regular clothes! :D

free thinker
She sent you a link to pictures of her DRESSED? Huh...I got a different link...

:D

Peter_Mary

[silverfox]

I remember posting that if anyone wanted to see my picture to send me a PM and I would send them a link. No one wanted to see. sniff sniff.


I have seen Silver. Nice looking lady. Also the only person I know that looks good wearing temple garments outside her regular clothes! :D


free thinker

I completely forgot about that photo!!!!!! HEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! (for the readers....on another board a friend had placed a pic of my head on a lady wearing garments...it was pretty funny! Although I wish she would have had bigger boobs)

[silverfox]

She sent you a link to pictures of her DRESSED? Huh...I got a different link...

:D

Peter_Mary

Shhhhhhhh! You weren't supposed to TELL!!!! (I hope you paid your monthly membership fee so you can still access those photos) ;)

[dancinfree]

[QUOTE=silverfox]I remember your phots and Aethers and yes, both very attractive. Hell, I'd do ya if I was lesbian. (heh heh)

QUOTE]

Hey Silverfox,

Get out of the identity box and go exploring.....life's too short!!...hehehehe. :D

I know what you mean though. Exposing oneself to the cyberworld can be inviting to some crazies. There is wisdom is being private and protective in this world.

Thanks for all your posts...you're a gem!

[silverfox]

[QUOTE=silverfox]I remember your phots and Aethers and yes, both very attractive. Hell, I'd do ya if I was lesbian. (heh heh)

QUOTE]

Hey Silverfox,

Get out of the identity box and go exploring.....life's too short!!...hehehehe. :D

I know what you mean though. Exposing oneself to the cyberworld can be inviting to some crazies. There is wisdom is being private and protective in this world.

Thanks for all your posts...you're a gem!

Well, we don't dance on the tables but we DO dance on the bar :D If you are interested let me know although we do live some distance from each other : (