Re: WWW representation of Real World? (I hope not)

From: Doug Jones (random@qnet.com)
Date: Sun Feb 06 2000 - 18:12:17 MST


Brian Atkins wrote:
>
> Doug Jones wrote:
> >
> > I try to make my online persona polite, rational, and intelligent, with
> > only the occasional indulgence in silliness... pretty much as I am in real
> > life.
> >
> > This really seems to be trending toward Brin's transparent society, where
> > the anonymity of 20th century city life is fading away.
>
> Why not post pseudonymously using a product like they offer at
> www.freedom.net ?

But then I would sacrifice the credibility I've built up over the years. I
know that new, pseudonymous posters on technical newsgroups often:

1) are engaging in hatchet jobs (I was targeted by one of these a few
   months ago, but my reputation carried the day)

2) have no history, by definition- and face the problem of the classic "man
   in the chair" ads in Aviation Week ("I don't know you, I don't know your
   company, I don't know your product, I don't know your customers- now
   what did you want to sell me?")

My reputation is valuable to me, but in order to build up a reputation, I
have to be (surprise surprise) reputable. Anonymous posters must fight an
uphill battle for this.

--
Doug Jones
Rocket Plumber, XCOR Aerospace
http://www.xcor-aerospace.com



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