"Should TMP scrap anonymity?" Topic

I did not say that everyone that posts under a FAKE name is up to something. It is just to easy to spout anything when there are no possible consequences? Even now Mr.MiniPigs --you have no risk at anything you say --I do. I still stand by my words even if I get the "I won't buy your stuff" threats already mentioned above. It is easy to say anything if no one knows who you are --it is why bank robbers wear masks? You must not be secure in what you believe.
I have read plenty of comments on Yahoo where people are openly Nazis, white supremacists, racists, etc in their views -none with a name ?????
If you are going to say something, stand up for what you believe ???
You feel how you want about me or yourself and I will feel how I want about myself and you.
"truer state of freedom" indeed, not to be responsible for what spews from the mouth.
"Ideas divorced from the source are more valuable" --utter nonsence -- and now I see why our press is in the state it is in today ???

Russ Dunaway

@ RD

so why should I listen to a thing you say?

Indeed, why should you? (though you clearly did). Again, no offence meant, why should I listen to a thing you say? Of course I will & take what you write on face value. If you are exposed as liar or fraud or a lunatic, either by a moderator or by your own twisted words, then I'll know.

I can't see how using real names will change much so we'll have to disagree, I feel (that is, if you're still reading the dubious words of one of these anonymous folk).

If you are going to say something, stand up for what you believe ???

This is a wargames' forum, not a court of law or a political rally. As a matter of fact, I sometimes bite my tongue over some stuff written here because I don't want to start an inappropriate fight.

@ HM

When I was posting there the loony was given free rein

I think we all agree that decent moderation is to be hoped for. Sorry to hear about your ordeal though.

All of 4 or 5 people in the world care either way based on the number of posters!

Regards
Russ Dunaway

@Old Glory

I did not say that everyone that posts under a FAKE name is up to something. It is just to easy to spout anything when there may be consequences? Even now Mr.MiniPigs --you have no risk at anything you say --I do. I still stand by my words even if I get the "I won't buy your stuff" threats already mentioned above. It easy to say anything if know one knows who you are --it is why bank robbers wear masks? You must not be secure in what you believe.
I have read plenty of comments on Yahoo where people are openly Nazis, white supremacists, racists, etc in their views -none with a name ?????
If you are going to say something, stand up for what you believe ???
You feel how you want about me or yourself and I will feel how I want about myself and you.
"truer state of freedom" indeed, not to be responsible for what spews from the mouth.
"Ideas divorced from the source are more valuable" --utter nonsence -- and now I see why our press is in the state it is in today ???

I have no risk? Why should I have any risk at all? Further, what risk are we talking about? As a matter of fact, I am asking you about the reasons you think people post more responsibly when they use their real names. I think that this is truer than not but I wanted to hear why you thought that was the case? What exactly makes someone using their real name be more careful about what they post and why do you think that is a good situation?

OK, let's be careful with the white supremacist stuff, and to be fair to me, when I brought up the dissidents example above, you said we were talking only about a miniatures forum. So, which is it, are we talking about universal reasons to use or not to use one's real name or just on a wargamers forum?

Is there something to stand up for here? Aside from a couple of grumps on the ECW forum and a couple of anti-Napoleon fanatics on the Napoleonic discussion, most people seem pretty civilized. Maybe someone bashes your product from time to time but sometimes that can be a good thing; no such thing as negative publicity these days, eh?

I think a good idea doesnt have to be tied to a source. It isnt "utter nonsense". A good idea is a good idea no matter where it comes from or who utters it. The only value I can see to trying to pin an idea to a name is in order to discredit it for reasons that have nothing to do with the intrinsic merits of the idea itself.

I assure you, I buy your stuff in copious quantities and both the service and quality are top notch.

No use going on and on? We know where we stand and I will continue to use my name.

Regards
Russ Dunaway

Does giving your real name really matter when discussing a unit frontage, the correct shade of uniform or the quality of a certain brand of figures? Are people going to dismiss that out of hand because they don't know your name?
On the other hand, we all know the real names of several members involved in some of the most heated discussions on the Napoleonic boards and that never helped prevent any dawghousings!
However the worst cases of bad behaviour here tend to happen on threads that turn political, religious or touch on disputed science, none of which should have any place here in the first place!
Keeping TMP focused on miniatures and wargaming would be a better start.

My real name is on my profile. I try not to say something here I wouldn't say face to face with another person.

When I joined TMP, I considered using my name as my user name, but wasn't sure of what I was getting into here, so I went with "irishserb". It was a defensive measure, though didn't take long for me to realize that it didn't really matter what online name that I used.

At this point, changing to my "real" name would tell you less about me, than my current user name, and would probably only succeed in annoying those who prefer to avoid me. Either way, the content of my posts, my views, and my actions would have and will continue to be the same regardless of what name you know me by.

I would find it inconvenient to change the user name policy on TMP at this point.

Absolutely not. There should be MORE anonymity online, not less.

I use a nickname through personal choice and because of personal security related to my work. My work has taught me to be prudent. I do not post under my real name anywhere and my email accounts are false too. A decent enemy will find me easily enough, but I'm not going to leave the front door unlocked for them to start with.

However I use my first name when I post (usually, if sober), and will happily provide my correct name to people with whom I enter private discussion.

With respect, that's my choice and my view of the world. I respect the choice of others to have an alternate view.

cheers
Ishkabibbles, I mean Jon.

It's a mistake to believe that people use a nickname on here solely to enable making statements they wouldn't have the nerve to make if they used their real name.

Forget, for the moment that being able to make statements anonymously that one wouldn't make using their real name might actually be a good thing and consider all the other reasons a poster wouldn't want his name exposed.

Think of a name more like a social security number and think of people's right to privacy. If you put it out there, that's your own fault but if someone were to out you, you would have a cause of action.

Someone needs to fully explain why someone being inhibited from expressing themselves is a good thing. Further, what consequences are attached to someone using their real name and making a comment someone else considers negative and or offensive? What does the recipient of both the real name and the offensive comment feel that they get to do about it?

Holding a belief without understanding why you hold that belief may pass as ideology for some but that doesnt mean it is justifiably applied universally.

Actually, it sounds a little like a viewpoint that people are either inherently "bad" and have to be monitored (An authoritarian viewpoint) or that it is a good thing that people are held in place by a "fear" of a sort.

And frankly, if you're merchant on here, you play by a different set of rules than the Minipigs of the world. I derive no money from this industry, rather I am a consumer. I am a target audience of the advertisers, makers, merchants etc on here. And while, at the moment, I am not a supporting member, this site leads me to buy vast quantities of wargames stuff. Maybe I need to post everytime I buy something to show just how much material I buy as a result of reading on this forum.

Give Russ a break. The good pastor's arguments against anonymity are not entirely without merit.

Anonymity provides us a degree of protection but it can also be abused. The very protection anonymity offers emboldens the online bully to attack others in a manner and degree he or she likely would not have if he/she were not anonymous. It's human nature. Full transparency has a moderating influence on people's worst impulses.

I'm not saying that I switched sides on this issue, but I see where he's coming from.

This isnt a personal thing. He bowed out but I wanted to continue to explore the concept. However, now that his name is associated with the opinion some do consider it personal…interesting.

Perhaps now we can see that an idea divorced from a personal source does indeed possess merit; to be discussed freely without any mistake of personal attack or motive.

But if everyone is using nicknames, then what force does bullying have? It's human nature the way that you see it but isn't the demand for using real names just bullying from an opposite direction? No one has really answered my question about what exactly is the penalty for a real name user crossing the line on the Internet? Is it threats? Is it ostracism? Is it stalking or complaints to a place that might hurt the poster's life? And what makes anyone feel that that system is superior?

No one has really touched on this.

Minipigs, a couple of people have said what can happen in reality when internet arguments spill into the real world. A murder being one of the results, I said what could happen if the wrong people find out personal information, terrorists etc.

Why would anyone not include their name in their profile?

If you are concern with having your identity stolen then I strongly recommend you never use your actual name on any type of form.

I have had an individual make a threat of physical harm to me on TMP and I am very glad he did not know my real name.

I use a screen name, my old Army call-sign in the ROK, '85-'85 … But my profile has my actual name, etc. I have had my detractors, and they are welcomed come looking for me. But like many, it's easy for those type to talk smack with the net covering them physically.

Face to face … is a lot tougher than across the net …

I AM posting under my real name! I just classed it up a bit with the "von" to indicate a little noble patrilineality.

Whew, big word for a little guy!

LOL !