When I started Homer's Travels back in 2006 (!!!!) I decide to post anonymously. Since I'd named the blog after our dog, Homer, I decided to use his name as my nom de plume. I was a little paranoid about posting my name out there in the ether and I wasn't sure who would be reading my blabbering.
Over the years my hidden identity became more and more transparent. The coup de grĂ¢ce to my disguise was my joining Facebook just over two years ago. It didn't take me long to put a link to Homer's Travels on my Facebook profile. I guess that's when I decided that privacy, the little we have online, doesn't really exist. (If you don't believe me, go to Spokeo and type in your name)
Almost everyone who reads Homer's Travels regularly are either family, friends, or internet friends who know who I am. I have met some of my internet friends in person ... I guess that means I could drop the internet adjective. Anyway, the point is most of my friends and family know my real name.
A year and a day ago, the real Homer-Dog passed away. I kept posting in his name as sort of a memorial, but it's time to move on. As of this post I will be posting under my real name (I will still keep other people's names out of the blog). Homer's name will live on in the blog title and a few other places out there in the intertubes.
I admire your guts! I only used my real name on manyhighways once, and that was for the final post (which is still on the page right now). However, as a teacher I suppose I have a bit more reason for internet anonymity than you do.
ReplyDeleteYou brave man you!
ReplyDeletePrivacy : depends on where you live and what you do. Starting a blog is not really the best way to keep anyone's privacy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing Mr X or whoever you are. I do not "admire" your "bravoure" but I do enjoy your blog.
MH: Not sure it takes guts. I'm still keeping my last name anonymous. So many people post using their first name (your brother included) that I really don't think it's very uncommon.
ReplyDeleteJaG: No, that's not me. But thanks anyway. :D
Godefroy: Very true. If I wanted privacy I would not be online and I would live in a cabin off the grid out in mountains somewhere.
You are welcome and thank you for your kind words.
I'll second JaG's brave comment. Wait, you're not going to give away OUR secret identities, are you???
ReplyDeleteGH: I still don't understand what's so brave ... or dangerous about what I did. You're secret identity, and everyone else's, is safe.
ReplyDeleteYay Bruce!!! Thanks for saving my identity;college students are oh-so-curious!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're keeping a picture of Homer the Dog. He was such a cutie-pie!
MMC: The Wife's a teacher. I totally understand.
ReplyDelete