Posted by alexandra_k on October 3, 2006, at 4:04:44
In reply to You put that very well » Lindenblüte, posted by Dinah on October 2, 2006, at 10:32:22
> I always get freaked out when someone comes here, is clearly familiar with board history and me, yet the name is new. It makes me very nervous. It makes me very wary. It makes me feel at a disadvantage. And other things that are difficult to put in I statements.
I think that usually people change their names either because they want a fresh start or because they are concerned about having left an internet trail to their RL identity either from the net to RL or from RL to the net.
I think it is important to respect peoples privacy.
> I think a new start would include giving up the ability to claim familiarity.
I agree I wouldn't be happy if a new posting name person followed me around saying 'I know who you are' and stuff like that. But of course the archives are here for all to view. There could well be lurkers who sign up and can claim familiarity even though they have never posted before...
> I really am not sure why anyone who is well known someplace would choose that way to make a new start, not to others in the place they're well known. There are other ways to make new starts. I've made a few here at Babble, and so have others. It took a while for people to see me differently, and maybe some never did, but... It's kind of like a Mrs. Doubtfire situation, you know? Even though he pretended to be unfamiliar with the family, he still was able to operate with all his previous knowledge of the people involved, while they didn't have that privilege.Yeah. I'm glad that way of making a new start worked out well for you. Other people choose a different approach, however. I think we should respect that.
poster:alexandra_k
thread:688168
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20060922/msgs/691412.html