Do you blog under a pseudonym or do you use your real name?
November 24th 2006 11:51
I ask this because I was wondering if there is such a thing as anonymous blogging. Perhaps if your blog is not getting a lot of hits, then the chances of you being "uncovered" is smaller compared to those who are getting hundreds of hits to their blog/s each day. In my case I am writing under a pseudonym simply because my blog revolves around my daughter. Yes, I'm a bit paranoid when it comes to my daughter, aren't all moms?
When I was doing my usual web surfing last night, I chanced upon an article about two female bloggers whose identity was uncovered. One was fired from her job because her boss found out about her blog and the things she wrote relating to her work and officemates. Even though she didn't name names she was axed because of her blog posts.
The other female blogger attracted a book deal because of the nature of her blog, she writes about her sexual experiences. Eventually when her book came out her identity was revealed, much to her chagrin. But she still continues to update her blog and writes in the same flair as she did prior to her being unmasked.
I admire both bloggers.
Another news I chanced upon was on Duncan Riley, one of the founders of b5 media, a blogging network which recently received a $2m funding. Apparently Duncan has resigned from b5 but both parties are staying tight-lipped about what transpired. I did notice though that a lot of people in the blogosphere wanted to know exactly what happened.
So what do you think, is there such a thing as anonymous blogging? And as a blogger, do you think you should reveal everything on your blog?
When I was doing my usual web surfing last night, I chanced upon an article about two female bloggers whose identity was uncovered. One was fired from her job because her boss found out about her blog and the things she wrote relating to her work and officemates. Even though she didn't name names she was axed because of her blog posts.
The other female blogger attracted a book deal because of the nature of her blog, she writes about her sexual experiences. Eventually when her book came out her identity was revealed, much to her chagrin. But she still continues to update her blog and writes in the same flair as she did prior to her being unmasked.
I admire both bloggers.
Another news I chanced upon was on Duncan Riley, one of the founders of b5 media, a blogging network which recently received a $2m funding. Apparently Duncan has resigned from b5 but both parties are staying tight-lipped about what transpired. I did notice though that a lot of people in the blogosphere wanted to know exactly what happened.
So what do you think, is there such a thing as anonymous blogging? And as a blogger, do you think you should reveal everything on your blog?
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Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
Pseudonym.
No need to reveal everything, this is not the confessional.
Always a risk of being identified.
I feel sorry fo the blogger who lost her job.
Not sorry, for the other one.
katyzzz
Comment by Lily
Ars Poetica
I use a pseudonym, it allows me to to put myself aside and opens another door for me to come through, if that makes sense... as for revealing everything? .. i suppose that depends on the blogger and their purpose for writing.. or how many wines they've had lol
~Lily
Comment by Ahmed
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Comment by Adele
Lost Fanatic
Day Break TV
Comment by Nina
Comment by Ahmed
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
Comment by Homer Joyce
I use a pseudonym becasue I don't want people to know my real name is David.
Homer.
Comment by Lily
Ars Poetica
~Lily
Comment by Damo
Comment by Brenton
Dr Spin
Tales From The Other Side
Blip Blog
Gadget Museum
Comment by K.L. Almeroth
Motherhood
To Hope,
Unfortunately, possibly for me, too much of myself is in my posts...
And it's my real name. Whoops! Should have thought about that a bit more!
Oh, well. Like Luke said, I have nothing to hide...
Yet!
K.L.
Comment by Hope
Gifted Parenting
Freelance For Life
katyzzz, I agree there is always a risk of being identified when you blog so we should be aware of what we put out there in the cyberworld.
Lily, aaah drinking wine while blogging would maker a very interesting post,
LOL Ahmed and Adele, a cube that has glasses, very interesting.
Nina, there are two bloggers in this network who know who I really am. I hope they keep it secret, I may have to bribe them. Just kidding
Comment by Hope
Gifted Parenting
Freelance For Life
Homer Joyce, I never would've guessed your real name is David,lol.
Damian, love the name and thanks for outing yourself on my blog
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
I was tossing up between postmoderncritic and epiphaniebloom (which is my real name), but decided that the former was more descriptive about the kind of writing I would be doing. I have spotlighted a post called 'A Bit About Me' but I'd never give away details like my home address.
I wouldn't be interested in being affiliated with anyone who wouldn't be interested in being affiliated with me based on my blog, so I'm happy to associate my name with it.
Comment by Lily
Ars Poetica
~Curious Lily
Comment by Ahmed
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Comment by Lily
Ars Poetica
~Lily
Comment by Daressi
Comment by Bhumika
Political Minds
Comment by Australis
The Scriptwriting Blog
Personal Blog - A Writer's Life
But the crucial point I suppose is, psudeonym or not, you have the integrity to stand by the things you say, of which I see a surprising amount here. Kudos to all!
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
well, speaking personally, I know that I wouldn't feel as accountable for my words if I had written them under a different name.
Comment by Stanley
Comment by Brenton
Dr Spin
Tales From The Other Side
Blip Blog
Gadget Museum
A) Artistic Reasons.
B) I've written something failry twisted that I don't want on the internet for anyone to attribute to be (just yet at least) and want feedback.
C) I'm commentig on something that could affect my close people (Talking about the company my brother works for, as an example)
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
I too write under my real first name but I use my maiden last name rather than my married last name, which is how every one in my 'real' life knows me.
I use my maiden name, not for anonimity but for privacy for the rest of my family, particularly my children.
'Andrea' could be one of many Andreas in the world but by using my maiden name I can protect my family a little. I am, of course, thinking of the fame and fortune that will one day come my way as a result of my writing ... fingers crossed!!!!! Yes, still waiting for that one!
I'm proud of what I write and have nothing to hide.
A.H.
Comment by JoshZ
Josh IS my first name and Z is the first letter of my last name.
Going to have a picture soon too.
JZ
Comment by Wendi
There are consequences to writing under your own name. I learned that from a former blog in which I wrote openly about my life and my experiences. One uninvited guest read my words, twisted them, and used them against one of my children. I immediately closed down that blog and learned a valuable lesson.
If you're not afraid of the consequences of your words for yourself or your loved ones, there's no need to hide behind a pseudonym. However, if you're writing about personal situations or if there's someone who may use your words to hurt you or others, then yeah, a pseudonym is a good idea.
Comment by Hellvis
Earache Hotel
But seriously, I use the name Hellvis as a sort of concept about the dark side of rock 'n' roll. There is a theme of evil that runs through rock 'n' roll history and this interests me. It gives me lots of stuff to work with for my blog. It's also a bit silly, and I get to not take myself too seriously.
Oh, that and I have been possessed by the demonic twin brother of Elvis Presley, who forces me to blog under his name or he will sing the song "Teddy Bear" to me over and over again. Trust me, it's better this way.
Comment by Hope
Gifted Parenting
Freelance For Life
Comment by invalidartist
Firstly, for privacy. Afterall, this is the internet and we can't be sure who everyone really is or what their intentions are.
Secondly, I am an amateur so being anonymous helps me receive "real" criticisms even from aquaintances without them knowing it is me.
Thirdly, it makes the criticisms easier to swallow.
Comment by Hope
Gifted Parenting
Freelance For Life
Comment by Anonymous
I write under a pseudonym, not because I'm trying to hide anything, but because it frees me from other people's preconceived notions about my scope as a writer; I find I'm not pigeonholed, which broadens my ability to step outside my known style and explore another.
Writing under a pseudonym is an ancient tradition that has nothing to do with integrity.