What's the purpose of Aliases in online forums/article comments?

[Dave Rauschkolb]

Just curious why anonymity rules when giving personal opinions in online forums, responses to articles etc.... what's the purpose? Most everywhere else in our society we are out in the open when giving opinions or communicating why not online?

 

[Kurt]

It goes back to the early days of the internet. There are still plenty of people who want to remain private, or be free to say what they want with freedom from consequence. Sometimes this is good and sometimes bad.

Sites like Facebook are getting people more comfortable with putting personal info online. Ironically though, privacy on Facebook is a complete illusion.

 

[Bobby J]

Just curious why anonymity rules when giving personal opinions in online forums, responses to articles etc.... what's the purpose? Most everywhere else in our society we are out in the open when giving opinions or communicating why not online?

I have noticed that people will tell you how they really feel when they use an alias. Which is good. You can really learn a lot about an issue when people are willing to really tell you the way they feel. I use my name and would imagine it has cost me a few votes in my business life. Oh well. ;-)

 

[Will B]

I use "singinchicken" because it was the login name I have always used for everything. One less thing to remember. On the other hand, I'm one of maybe 10 people I can think of on the board who actually has a picture of me as my avatar...

 

[scooterbug44]

I use an alias because of how many people view the site - and how crazy some of them are.

My guess is that about 90% of the regular posters also know each other by "real" names - it's a big website and a small town so we are only "anonymous" to a few.

 

[AndrewG]

It's easy to anonymously throw mud or controversial ideas.

 

[Matt J]

It's easy to anonymously throw mud or controversial ideas.

Says the anonymous poster.

 

[RiverOtter]

If I told you my real identity then you would tell your friends and they would tell their friends, then pretty soon all kinds of people would be call me on the horn asking me to perform at Birthday Parities and Bar Mitzvahs... It would get out of hand real fast ...


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[miznotebook]

Maybe part of it is the fun of having an alter ego.

 

[Kurt]

Or 2. RO - what exactly do you "PREform"?