Friday, August 12, 2016

Searching for Anonymous


So here's my pet peeve.  I visit a group blog that I read regularly and discover that somebody has posted a long discussion that intrigues me.  The person is identified only by her first name.  Her comments make me want to know who she is and more about her.

I click on her name and get to her Blogger profile -- again, first name only, but here she's mentioned her home town and business.  Google on the business and the town, and I find a web page for the business, which gives her name.  I also find her mentioned in the regional SAQA blog.  Total time to ID: maybe four minutes.

So why didn't she just sign her full name in the original post?

Or another version of the same peeve: Somebody leaves a comment on my blog that I consider thought-provoking and interesting.  I'm familiar with her nom-de-internet because she frequently posts to a group blog that I read and in fact have recently found her posts to be fascinating.  Again, I'd like to know who she is and more about her and her work.

I click on her nom but this time I can't find her.  Her Blogger profile is coy.  I know which state she lives in and that she's a member of SAQA and SDA (or at least she has those logos on her blog) but searching both member directories gives me no clues.  I waste ten minutes trying to identify somebody whose work I love.

So a random fan is thwarted in trying to identify the object of her affection -- big deal.  What if it had been a potential buyer or curator or publisher wanting to make this artist a proposition?

I understand that some people want to maintain public anonymity as they tiptoe around the internet.  I have left comments on various blogs where I have identified myself only with a first name, but they aren't subjects having anything to do with my "public persona."  If I want to say something about my favorite candidate on Dancing With the Stars it's not really relevant who I am.  But if I want to post a tutorial on fiber art, review a quilt show or weigh in with opinions on SAQA's future, then people have a right to know who I am and what I do so they can properly evaluate my remarks.  And I think they have a right to know that without clicking about on Google for a while.

This happens on blogs all the time.  It also happens on email listserve groups, which I also waste too much time reading.

I find it especially silly that people will conceal their full names, yet chat about a quilt that was just accepted into a show (where we know the quilt will be displayed with the artist's full name on a sign), or proudly announce the release of their new book (which presumably will have their full name on the cover).  I just don't understand the quest for secrecy, whether it's successful or not, when it has to do with a passion on which the person apparently wants to have some kind of public presence.  I also think it's somewhat of an imposition on the people who do go by their own names who are expected to have public dialogue with Ms. Anonymous.

Ever see movies where the star witness, afraid of being identified by the vicious mob boss/defendant, gets to testify with a bag over his head?  I understand that, but I don't understand what these anonymous internet fiber artists are afraid of.

I'm Kathy Loomis and I approve this message.


12 comments:

  1. You always say you are crabby, but I think you make a very good point! When you find someone/thing that captures your interest, it's a real pain if you have to search to find them...and I'm talking about people with a 'public' persona. If you want to be totally private, don't ever post anything!

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  2. S P A M

    ALSO.... A scroll to comments shows that you are a fiber artist. Many of us are just fans of fiber art and enjoy reading the blogs.... no need to go deeper. If you would prefer me not to leave comments I can stop writing comments on the blogs I read. Just figure sometimes the author would appreciate a little cheer!

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    1. Well, of course we appreciate a little cheer, and I would never discourage comments. But sometimes we bloggers (or we readers of blogs or lists) appreciate a more substantive conversation, which is difficult if we don't know who we're talking to.

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  3. Kathy, Your journalist background leads you to expect people to include all the necessary info, but most people just forget. They announce an exhibit, but don't include the city.They tell their story by starting in the middle, then never go back to fill in the important details. In other words, bad writing.

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  4. I have been the unintended victim of over sharing. So, I am trying to limit my exposure these days--so no comments. So what was this--LOL

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  5. Likely most people don't think much about what name they are using and what the costs or benefits there are to it. I've thought about that a lot. I've had good and bad experiences online, and the bad was very very bad. At the time I used an internet name. Afterwards, after some recovery, I decided I didn't want to be known by that name anymore. For reasons rational or not, it feels safer to just be me, by my own name. I am somewhat more cautious about what I say than I was before, but I'm certainly not ashamed of my prior comments, either.

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  6. I for one am not tech savvy enough to know how to create an account. I have no idea how my first and last name ends up on these posts. I simply click on the comment box and start typing. If I had any control it would only show the first letter of my last name. That its what I go buy IRL as well. Having personally been the victim of a stalking I choose anonymity. I am extremely careful with what I share. I am not necessarily looking to build relationships with strangers when I comment. Just adding to the conversation as I have stumbled upon it. I do come back too the comments a day or two later to see if there has been a reply. That is the most I am putting myself out there for at this time. If I desire more I may choose to figure out the tech stuff and create my own online persona. But in the end it is my choice.

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    1. If you would like to have a pen name on my blog, type your comment into the box. Then look right below the comment box where it says REPLY AS: HEATHER JOHNSON. (I don't know how your name is automatically getting there either.) Just past your name is a down arrow. Click on the down arrow and you will see several choices.

      At the bottom of that menu list is Anonymous; if you click that, that's how your name will show up on the comment.

      OR you could click Name/URL, just above Anonymous. That gives you a new box called "edit profile" and you could type in HEATHER J or whatever else you would like to go by. Leave the URL box empty.

      If you're not looking to build relationships through blog participation, that's fine with me and I still appreciate your comments. My frustration is more with people who seem to want a public presence and reputation yet won't provide their names.

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    2. Thank you! I am so glad to learn that. I am much more comfortable with Heather J. You bring up several valid points. I will have to keep these in mind as I consider my own entrance into this community.

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  7. I find it amazing that some people list all their personal information and while others don't. Some people frankly post too often and then assume online that everyone will know exactly who there are... Others think of security not necessarily secrecy.

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  8. Thank you!!! I have also had a stalker previously and never commented on blogs because I didn't feel safe if not anonymous. I'm not a public/professional fiber artist but I sure would like to just comment under my own name. I'm sure that day will come. In the meanwhile, it is great to know how to put in a few words here and there but still feel safe.

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