Want to read Slashdot from your mobile device? Point it at m.slashdot.org and keep reading!

 


Forgot your password?
Close
typodupeerror
×
Media

Journal Allen Zadr's Journal: Anonymity is a Virtue in this Day and Age 9

Journal by Allen Zadr

Here they come.

There are exactly six people who know the identity of Allen Zadr. However, of those people, two of them knew my by my real identity first, and the others, I've met here, and for one circumstance or another, I've found the need to convey my real identity. There is a minor possibility that a seventh knows because of their association with someone else on my friends list, but that's not the point.

Somehow, a piece of the puzzle seems to be missing. What would happen for someone to suddenly feel that the internet, and especially slashdot, should not have at least a small part of anonymity for themselves. I think it's become generally clear that few of us actually give a crap what gender someone else online is. Sure it may make for an awkward minute or two on a face-to-face meeting, but really... nobody cares! Honestly, the only time it matters is in a few gender-specific conversations. Most of the stuff here is gender non-specific, although arguably steered more to the Geek-American-Male (in that order) phenotype.

Frankly, if most of the women on my friends list suddenly said they were men, I wouldn't even get the momentary willies. And yes, this is, partly, about Daniil's J.E. But that's not the point either.

What I really want to say is too many accounts are getting cold. Too many people are dropping off. Some of them haven't fully "dropped", but close enough. I miss you when you are gone. Heck, I don't post a lot of commentary in your journals, but if you are on my friends list, then I read every one (or at least the first paragraph...) And they mean something to me, even if I have no idea who you really are.

And that's the point. I want you to know that I appreciate you.

This discussion was created by Allen Zadr (767458) for no Foes, but now has been archived. No new comments can be posted.

Anonymity is a Virtue in this Day and Age More

Anonymity is a Virtue in this Day and Age

Comments Filter:
  • There is only one person on slashdot who truly knows who I am (because he's been one of my closest friends for two decades now). there are a handful of others who know my real name and, because I've mentioned Portland before, they could certainly track me down if they really felt like it. But anonimity is important for many reasons. I trust people on slashdot in ways that I you can't always trust people in the "real" world. I trust that the information they give is what they believe because, why go to t
    • yeesh I know the pain of reading every JE ;) , I also used to try to respond to every one and response to every response to me and my JE comments .. thus my insane Post count .(I can't shut'da'dup ) .
      Plenty of nudnicks in the world , but with people who you call your friend you can be sure they will be understanding , or aren't worth your time .
  • What you failed to mention was that knowing the real identity of each and every person would ruin half the fun. It would be the same thing as seeing everybody in their underwear, and I can only assume that wouldn't be pretty. And yeah, that somehow became a way to get over stage fright, but let me tell you, we would all be a lot more awkward.

    • Are you assuming that most of us are not already fairly awkward?

      Though, yes, I agree.

      • err... no... I... um said we would all be a lot more awkward. So I am assuming that most of us are fairly awkward... so what are you asking? Is that an incorrect assumption?

        If you want to lose anonymity, totally come to this concert [triplerocksocialclub.com] on Friday. I am going with the Some's. I guarantee the show will be most excellent since Small Towns is playing acoustic (with a piano!), and average age of attendees will be less than 18, so absolutely everyone will be awkward.

        • Nope, I think I mis-read something there...

          Five is so friggin early for a workday. It would also be really awkward for my wife, who - well - thinks that all things internet are inherently out to get her. The internet can reach into your wallet from 40 yards, if you tell it where you are going to be, well so I've heard.

          I also, personally, have an automatic aversion to places that will be mostly filled with people who's biggest worry in the world is the possibility of a night in the Juvenile Hotel, where

          • Well your wife would have been right, the "concert" is just an elaborate set-up just to steal your wallet.

            As for the excuses, I understand. That was the reason I was honest about how young these fans are. Which in this case is odd because often I am older than everybody at the show, including the bands... and Small Towns is one of the bands that is actually on average 8 years older than me, and several members are married with children, yet they somehow appeal to high school boys... and me.

            • I knew it! 'owit' is really short hand for 'your wallet'.

              Bet that one's original!

              Shhh, I'm expecting an offer letter from the company I interviewed with twice, and I'm expecting around lunch time tomorrow. And, no, don't know why I chose to disclose this in a reply to you, maybe it's 'cause you're local.

Slashdot Top Deals

"How to make a million dollars: First, get a million dollars." -- Steve Martin

Close