Have a question about pictures and names.

[RBPerry]

It is obvious most do not wish to state their real names, or post actual pictures of themselves. What I don't understand is why? As for me I believe being transparent would help us connect with others in a more meaningful way.

 

[ozso]

You're obviously a spy trying to trick us. But seriously I think it's just a matter of comfort.

 

[Sabertooth]

There are a couple of reasons:

1. When people are in the job market, prospective employers will often Google the job candidate as part of their background search. If that person has opposing political views or, as in my case, is public about having autism, they will be screened out prematurely. (I only use my real name in contexts that are professionally flattering.)
2. It is easier for cyber-bullies & cyber-stalkers to use your information in offending ways.
3. It accommodates identity theft.

 

[d taylor]

I have my name and my state. do not have my picture but have posted a picture of myself before. I do not post a picture in my profile because i just have older pictures on my computer.

 

[Mark Quayle]

My picture is way cooler than my face.

 

[ozso]

I don't use my real name because I don't want to be confused with Brian Kelly the Notre Dame football coach

 

[Sabertooth]

...Brian Kelly...

(It looks like his "trick" worked... )

 

[ozso]

(It looks like his "trick" worked... )

 

[Tigger45]

Just because a member posts a life like photo and name and ‘says’ it’s their actual photo and name doesn’t make it so. Welcome to the world of the internet.

 

[Sabertooth]

Just because a member posts a life like photo and name and ‘says’ it’s their actual photo and name doesn’t make it so.

(There is one dude here who looks an awful lot like Taylor Swift...

)

 

[Pavel Mosko]

What I don't understand is why?

It's left over paranoia from before the days of Facebook, You-tube, Twitter and other social media. Their is a small potential down side for being open about your identity especially if you are very opiniated and vocal etc., but the upside can be more than worth it when it comes to things like networking, finding friends, promoting things etc.

 

[Mark Quayle]

It's left over paranoia from before the days of Facebook, You-tube, Twitter and other social media. Their is a small potential down side for being open about your identity especially if you are very opiniated and vocal etc., but the upside can be more than worth it when it comes to things like networking, finding friends, promoting things etc.

They already know who I am and what I think and probably more details than I care to know. That still doesn't mean stick my nose out there for someone to cut it off.

 

[ozso]

There are those who are quite public and yet still have a username and un-selfie avatar. Like the general manager of my online game forum.

 

[RBPerry]

Thanks everyone for your opinions. I'm semi retired and pretty thick skinned so I don't need to worry about others not liking my posts, most of my family doesn't.

God Bless

 

[Bob Crowley]

It also depends on how much you're in the public eye. It's one thing to post on a forum where a 1000 viewers is a large number. Most of the time it's much less.

It's quite another if you're in the public eye and millions of people are aware of your presence.

 

[Freth]

I'm retired. Before retirement, my previous employer sent out a notice that they would be screening social media sites for employee activity. If you're doing nothing wrong (at least in your own mind), then you should have nothing to worry about, but if your employer disagrees with your point of view, that's all it takes for you to have life-changing repercussions; "up to and including termination".

Being retired, this isn't hanging over my head any more, but I have no desire to expose my personal information needlessly. The more information someone has on you, the more potential for misuse of that information. I've become quite comfy in my retirement, I don't want someone ruining it for me.

And just because I'm retired and can say what I want doesn't mean I will. I hold myself to a certain standard.

 

[Mechtild]

Personally I really find the transparency and connections are made with the words people put out there, rather than knowing their name and face

There can, for some, be a safety aspect too. Whilst some call it paranoia, my own experienced tell me that not everyone on the Internet is a nice person and will try to secure your off-forum contact details to harass you. Not very nice to experience when you just wanted to discuss your faith

 

[GodLovesCats]

I don't use my real name because I don't want to be confused with Brian Kelly the Notre Dame football coach.

So your real name is Brian Kelly?

 

[ozso]

So your real name is Brian Kelly?

Yes.