ownership

[TheMercenary]

IMHO using your real name is dangerous and may come back to haunt you in real life. People who know me in real life will tell you that I am no different on line than I am off. But there are enough Wacko Extremists out there that could screw with you if you made it easy for them. I have seen cases where people use on-line info in identity theft, to stalk other people (in real life and on-line) by assuming someone elses real name, open bank accounts and get credit cards, use the info from an on-line real name to have people fired from jobs because they did not like what they were posting. And if you have a professional job, they can use the info as leverage against you at work, whether you post from work or not. There is much more at stake than you think.

Facebook and MySpace has made the news on that level many times. I am sure we can all site examples.

[richlevy]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

But there are enough Wacko Extremists out there that could screw with you if you made it easy for them. I have seen cases where people use on-line info in identity theft, to stalk other people (in real life and on-line) by assuming someone elses real name, open bank accounts and get credit cards, use the info from an on-line real name to have people fired from jobs because they did not like what they were posting. And if you have a professional job, they can use the info as leverage against you at work, whether you post from work or not. There is much more at stake than you think.

Facebook and MySpace has made the news on that level many times. I am sure we can all site examples.

We could all cite examples in the news. I do know of one person on the Cellar who did get in trouble with their work. It's always possible someone will find out where I work and contact my company about something I've posted. So be it. I have never identified myself with my company here and I've kept a clear division between work and home. If someone were to attempt to fabricate something, they can do that now anyway.

Freedom = Risk. It's always been that way.

[xoxoxoBruce]

I'm not worried about my employer or thieves, I worry about nymphomaniacs tracking me down and raping me.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by richlevy

We could all cite examples in the news. I do know of one person on the Cellar who did get in trouble with their work. It's always possible someone will find out where I work and contact my company about something I've posted. So be it. I have never identified myself with my company here and I've kept a clear division between work and home. If someone were to attempt to fabricate something, they can do that now anyway.

Freedom = Risk. It's always been that way.

Freedom vs. Risk is an age old struugle in our lives. It is a good thing.
I am glad you feel that way and agree to some degree. As I stated I am willing to say pretty much anything I have said here in person, bar the few times I have stepped on it and then apologized when warranted. But times have changed. And words can be twisted. And our inability to use visual clues as to intent is often misinterpreted. People who don't agree with your positions on a myriad of issues can easily cause problems for you in other places of your life. Sure if you are an hourly worker at Starbucks or the a middle wage job it may not make much difference, but if you work in a professional office it could make a difference. Trust no one on an open forum.