Just curious why so few people use their real names. [View all]

[marym625]

Last edited Tue Sep 16, 2014, 10:14 AM - Edit history (1)

I went to respond to a very kind DU email I received and couldn't even use a name to address the person who wrote it. It made me check my own profile. I do have the city I live in and my first name. I didn't have my last name but only because I didn't realize what showed up when I first registered for DU. I have updated it to show my last name too.

I completely understand that there are circumstances that would cause a person to act with caution and use a handle.

If you have a job that you can't give your political opinion, for example, would be at the top of the list. Maybe if you're a hacktavist. But even then, as long as you're not advertising that in posts, what's the point?

Just seems odd to me that the majority of posters not only use a handle but don't put a name, even a first name, in their profile. This seems to be the reality of most social media, at least when political posts are the majority of what is posted.

I have been online since the 80s. Have posted on and off in various social media sites since the early 90s. Though I have, on occasion, used "Marym625," like I do here, or other handles, like I do on twitter, "LiberalHDWoman" I also use my real name in my profile.

Makes me think people are ashamed of their political beliefs. Sort of like being in the closet for LGBT people.

I would appreciate any responses to this subject.

Thank you,

Mary Mathieu