I use my real name and city on my blog because I want relatives and old friends to be able to find me. Some people might call that naive and even foolish but, it's quite the opposite. I have a healthy fear of identity theft and kidnapping and serial killers every minute of every day of my life. These scary people are right outside my (and your) door right here in the real world. They're watching you in a restaurant or in a bar. They're standing behind you in line at the grocery store. They also might be reading this blog but I'm not as afraid of scary blog reader guy as I am of scary parking lot creepy guy.
I don't see using my true identity on my blog as being any scarier than walking around and living in the world in general. I pay people, almost always total strangers, with checks which have way too much personal information on them day in and day out. If someone is going to steal my identity, I don't think it's going to be because I used my real name on my blog. If I'm wrong about that, you'll read about it here.
I do understand why people who expound controversial opinions or speak horribly about their jobs or husbands or girlfriends would want to remain anonymous. And, for obvious reasons, I think children and teenagers who might fall prey to sickos should remain anonymous and definitely not reveal their location. That also goes for parents who post about their small children because it would be very easy for someone to pose as a friend of the family based on information they read in your blog and run off with your babies.
But, again, in the big scheme of things, I hate to tell you folks, using a pseudonym on your blog is no real protection. I would compare it to walking into the Louisiana swamp dressed like a gator. Them bad gators aren't going to be fooled by your disguise and you're still going to get bitten in the ass.
I like to think that most stalkers are busy with actors and actresses and authors and true celebrities who don't have the luxury of being able to hide their comings and goings from the nasties who lurk out there in the dark corners of society.
They're way to busy for the likes of us. I hope.
5 comments:
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm glad you liked it, and I respect your opinion on blogging and being anonymous.
I get particularly riled up with blog owners ask their commenters to give their real name. It pisses me off. Glad you don't do that. :)
But did you ever think that to some "sicko" who reads your blog everyday, you are their "star" or "celebrity". Stranger things have happened.
I think the fact that you work with lawyers keeps a lot of them at bay. I know I wouldn't mess with you.
But then I'm too busy stalking this other blogauthor....but I can't figure out what her real name is! (that was a joke.)
Should that be blogauthor OR blogwriter????
Like you, I use my real name. There are times when I wish I'd had the foresight to create a pseudonym -- but in the end, if people like what they read on my blog, I want them to know I wrote it. After reading your post I've concluded my mother was right; vanity will likely be what kills me.
i use my stage name online for the most, but i refuse to buckle to the fear thingy that is too prevelant.
but i don't care for people that always stay masked, i'll do that on mardi gras and halloween . . .
m.a.
Leaving your real name there, could be opening up too open, I mean we all have enemies. Also thieves can monitor you better, well if they lived near.
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