I've noticed that some people have signed up as blog authors using screen names. We'll (Professor Rakus and I) need to know everyone's actual name for grading purposes, of course, but that's not the point of this post.
Rather, I wanted to put the issue out there: Why do many people use screen names in online media? Is this an attempt to avoid standing behind one's work, or is there a different culture online that encourages this? Does it make people feel safer? How does it affect your perception of credibility?
In the 1700s, of course, authors typically signed their contributions with pen names, arguing that writings should be evaluated not in terms of authorship but on their own merits. There is also a tradition of exposes by (or quoting) people who feared losing their jobs (or in some cases their lives) if the insider information they offered was revealed. A variety of rationales have been offered over the years for pen names - some quite compelling, others (such as a couple "memoirs" of Chicano gang life authored respectively by an older aspiring novelist and a wealthy socialite, both white and neither of whom had any first-hand experience of the lives they wrote of in first-person voice) less so.
Authorship, identity... are these important in the on-line world? What do you think?
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This is a really interesting issue. I wonder what the thinking was behind the decision to use real names or take a different online identity. It does seem to contradict contemporary practice of claiming work in a "I did this, it is my contribution" sort of way.
ReplyDeleteI think that using a pseudonym is the culture of the online community. I can't remember a time when pseudonyms didn't exist online. That might be a reason that a lot of people have them is simply that it was the norm when our generation began using the internet.Anyone from around the world can read what you write but many of them won't know who you are. So when you make that pseudonym you can create whoever you want to be online.
ReplyDeleteI think long ago in 6th grade when I first got my screenname, I wanted it to be something creative and I also think my dad was constantly reminding me of evil internet predators out to get you. I never put too much thought in it. I laugh when I do know because I have over 100 "buddies" on my AIM and yet I know who all of them are. I can pair their fake name with their real ones in an instant. I guess secrecy is also something some people think about. They sort of want to be an anonymous voice in a blog out there on the internet.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's necessarily all about being anonymous. I think a part of it has to do with safety and security. I know for the specific blog that I write on they ask for a screen name rather than giving a real name. I think this is more about security and privacy issues rather than wanting people to remain anonymous. There are thousands of people connected through the website and blog that I write for and I think their reason for asking for a screenname rather than a person's real name is protect their users. If it were up to me I would much rather use my real name, but then again I'm selfish in the fact that I like to see my name in print.
ReplyDeleteIn today's world, real names are very risky. People can type my real name into google, and right away know who I am and where I'm from. Real names can take away from privacy. If I were ever to be a blogger on a more noted site, I would use a screen name or pen name to avoid such issues. However, that being said. If authorship ever wanted to be claimed, you can trace IP addresses and other such means to prove your identity.
ReplyDeleteWhen posting online I find it more comfortable to not use your real name. It seems like then you can express your opinion without having people know who they are criticizing and it makes it less personal.
ReplyDeletePerhaps posting under an alias makes it easier for authors to express their views and opinions without the fear of persecution. If you know that no one will judge you for what you have written then it is appealing to publish thoughts and ideas under an alias.
ReplyDeleteI think that being anonymous allows authors to be genuine with responces or opinions. By putting your real name you have to stand up and back up your statements, and for people with good names it is political suicide for them to blog or write about controversial subjects, with the wrong opinion. By blending in you can allow your real voice to be heard, and say what you really mean.
ReplyDeleteAll of the blogs that I read, the author includes their real name. So, I've never experienced having to guess their names or feel as though the author is trying to be mysterious, and withhold their identity. However, I feel that those who don't include their names maybe don't want some sort of prejudice against them; a male may not want to read a blog that is blatantly written by a girl. If this girl's name is Christina Washington, she may shorten her name to C.P, or Chris P, anything to make it sound more androgenous. Or it could just be a security issue; they just want to keep their private lives private, and their thoughts public. Or, they may just want to be creative. Maybe Christina Paul doesn't think her name is creative enough, and wants to be known MissyChrissy to be remembered better. I think it just goes with the person's opinions, and how they want their writing to be viewed.
ReplyDeleteThe blogs that I visit everyday feature the blogger's real name. When I know the blogger's name, it makes them seem more "real" than some stranger whose blog I read everyday. A lot of the times, when you visit a blog everyday, you get to know the style, personality and vibe of the blogger...and knowing their real names makes me feel like I know them, as people, too. Authorship and identity are important in the on-line world, and I think perhaps whether the blogger uses a fake name or real name affects the way the blog is viewed. If I read a blog with a fake name, I may be more inclined to see this person as just an online writer instead of an actual person. But, when I see and know their names, I think I then see them as more than just an online character.
ReplyDeletePseudonyms, I think have been around for so long that many people do not think twice about them. I think many people use them because they feel more comfortable being honest with their opinions and comments. If you use your real name many times people can use that to Google your information and find out things you may not want them to know. I think pseudonyms just make people feel at ease and not have to worry about what they are writing.
ReplyDeleteI believe that using a fake name as an author is creative. It kind of allows the reader to know a little more about your personality. I liked the comment about thinking back when you were in Sixth grade and you were making your first screename. You wanted to make a name to describe you. I do not necessarily think that they do not want you to know them, but maybe just a way to express themselves as individuals.
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