Too much is made of using aliases, but aren't all just that? I know a half dozen guys in the hobby and all of the ladies who have trusted me enough to share parts of their personal lives, I have not seen one of them use their real names in connection with any of these boards. Frankly, even if they did, most wouldn't have to endure any bullshit unless they were outed in the local rag or put one one of the websites. In fact, it bothers me none that people use aliases to say mean shit, I mean it's not cool, but why get upset by the comments of some nameless, faceless bastard that gets his jollies off on saying stupid things? Like most things in the digital world, aliases are a common feature and if used a certain way, allows you to express the different sides of yourself and sometimes, expressing an opinion that you don't want to get a ton of mail on is okay. For most of us, we use them in mature ways to mask our on-line identities and if anyone takes offense to Squidly's humor for example, or Jockeypant's "reports from the field," or the timely rants of Emma Bond, then you are just missing the point, period. I am sure all of them from time to time use one or more different personas to make a point or two.
This is FREE and the owners of TER not any of us get to legislate the content and the contributors. These people who love to stuff your mailbox with their rants or BS need to get a life.
I agree! Man, people should just say who they are, like, if you wanna talk on this board, give your name, address and phone numebr. Me? I'm Just Smith, yeah, that's my real name. You can call me at 555-1212. Yeah, that's the ticket.
Be real!
...NO FUNNY BUSINESS, remember?
then I would probably be more relaxed and express myself differently.
All of us are an amalgamation of opinions and character traits (good & bad) that make us what we are. I feel aliases and its feature here on TER allows for the opportunity to perhaps "shoot from the hip" and/or add some levity to a topic or issue. I've observed that other discussion boards without the "alias" feature often are notably bland and praetorian in their content due to the member's fear of upsetting or undoing their particular "station" in the community in question.
Some would say that "aliases" allow for more malicious flaming and lack of personal responsibility in ones posting. I however would contend that since TER administrators have access and knowledge of the "user-name" in which the alias is associated then only a finite amount of incivility and/or abuse would be tolerated until moderation was invoked.
Some would contend that TER is a tough room and in some ways it can be. I'm sure the use and sometimes abuse of aliases plays a part in this toughness. For all the nay-sayers that complain of the sometimes candid/harsh nature of these TER boards I have found them to be at least a very level playing field where even TER itself will take one on the chin in good spirit. This offers a refreshing antithesis to the the often obsequiously polite and banal offerings at some other forums.
FR.
-- Modified on 9/7/2005 1:01:13 PM
-- Modified on 9/7/2005 4:11:33 PM
Well, that's deep. That reminds me about a few crytic messages I've discovered in some Beatles songs like "The Walrus was Paul"; "And cranberry sauce";" and "She's a prickteaser" Damn, I think they are fucking with my head again, after all those years.