Being Anonymous On The Internet

[Stranger of Sorts]

I know we all prize being anonymous, I notice that barely any of us have ourselves as our avatars and do not decide to even give out our real names.

But is this a good thing? Surely it keeps us apart as a community as we cannot really trust each other?

I realise that the lack of face makes people more comfortable but it shouldn't be like that.

Any thoughts?

 

[Armored Prayer]

I prefer being anonymous on the internet.

Mainly because if anyone who knew me found out I was here, they will either annoy and/or harass me.

 

[delet]

Through anonymous-ness we can be more of ourselves without fear of ridicule or persecution of any form in our real lives. Because no one here knows who we are, they can't very well make our actual lives living hell, neh?

Sadly, most people abuse this so they can spew hate and ignorance, but it seems that's what makes this site so great; we have a community who uses anonymity to a greater extent so we can share more of our real thoughts without worry otherwise.

 

[GreyWolf257]

Being anonymous is awesome. It makes me feel comfortable saying what I say. Even if there is just a picture of me, people can still use that against me. The first (and last) time I've done that, I had a penis photoshoped into my hand.

 

[Alex The Rat]

You are mistaken, sir. I am indeed a rat.

 

[Insanum]

I like people knowing me on here (hi im steve, Nice to meet you), but im sure it would freak me out if people started recognising me for my antics on here.

 

[Matt_LRR]

Yes... Anonymous...

-m

 

[Bobzer77]

Meh, I wouldn't mind if people actually knew who I was.

Unless they annoyed me..... that would be a problem..... and I solve problems. ; )

 

[Jay D Gee]

Anonymity is the comfort blanket of the internet.

 

[Cherry Cola]

I'm not anonymous. I have my picture and my name in my profile. That's just semi-anonymous.

And of course, let us not forget P.R.I.A.T.Es constant attempts at conquering the world uniting the users of the Escapist with methods such as the Accent thread or Behind the Avatar

 

[x0ny]

I don't mind giving out my name, I would protect my contact details, particularly my address.

 

[Dusty Donuts]

Because, maybe those meatless death threats would have SOME BASIS

 

[Timotei]

I like anonymity. It allows you fresh starts and the ability to not really be held accountable personally for your actions. It also makes for some fun trolling.

 

[Sassafrass]

I like people knowing me on here (hi im steve, Nice to meet you), but im sure it would freak me out if people started recognising me for my antics on here.

Hi Dr. Steve! *Waves*

OT: Yeah, I'm not very anon on this site. I've got my full name sans middle names, a pic of me and a rough location of where I live on my profile.

I feel comfortable sharing that information with the community but I only share close personal info with the users I have got really close to. They know who they are. They also know my middle names and my fears, which is great!

Let's just say I'm comfortable to share my face and name with you guys as I trust you...well, most of you, but only trust certain users with close personal info.

 

[The Warden]

Is that the case?
Or does being anonymous bring us even closer?
We are free to talk of what we wish, however personal, more-so than that of our RL friends and possibly even family members.
Sure, we may not know what each other look like, but is that really so important?

 

[Trivun]

My username is my real first name (full name on my profile). I was named after my paternal grandfather, who died before I was born and who was from Serbia. I'm English on my mother's side and have Serbian blood from my father's side, though my dad was born here in good old Blighty. I don't have a photo on my profile for the sole reason that I don't have any decent pictures of myself, I can't be bothered to get one from Facebook (which are usually me drunk anyway), the camera on my phone is crap, and my digital camera was stolen after Christmas.

Generally I'm pretty honest about myself online. My reasoning being that anyone talking to me is specifically interested in me, not a fake persona. It's not as if I'm giving away things like my phone number, address or student number or whatever other personal information fraudsters would want. So I can make honest friendships on sites like The Escapist, and I'm safe in doing so .

 

[Asturiel]

You are mistaken, sir. I am indeed a rat.

Checks out, I went to a rat convention and saw him.

Yes... Anonymous...

-m

Quite anonymous right?

I like people knowing me on here (hi im steve, Nice to meet you), but im sure it would freak me out if people started recognising me for my antics on here.

Hi Dr. Steve! *Waves*

OT: Yeah, I'm not very anon on this site. I've got my full name sans middle names, a pic of me and a rough location of where I live on my profile.

I feel comfortable sharing that information with the community but I only share close personal info with the users I have got really close to. They know who they are. They also know my middle names and my fears, which is great!

Let's just say I'm comfortable to share my face and name with you guys as I trust you...well, most of you, but only trust certain users with close personal info.

I also say hello to Dr. Steve.

Also just as a heads up dont trust me. I'm waiting to sell your information to the highest bidder.

...I mean...to the...my brain. Yes thats it *shifty eyes*

I don't have a photo on my profile for the sole reason that I don't have any decent pictures of myself, I can't be bothered to get one from Facebook (which are usually me drunk anyway), the camera on my phone is crap, and my digital camera was stolen after Christmas.

Is that it, or are you afraid of telling us your really just a bagel in a giraffe suit?

OT: I believe our anonymity helps us grow closer together, those things like "faces" and "personal information" are for people we only truly trust. Would you go to a convention and give out your name number and address? Fuck no. Keep that stuff to yourself unless you find people truly worthy of it. I don't want any of yalls anywhere near my place. However I am fond of most of you alls

 

[MattZero]

You're making the huge assumption that you can trust people you know personally.