Should Anonymity be allowed on the board?

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

This is one of these issues that we will always have differing opinions. I just made the decision years ago that I would include my name, and stand behind all of my posts. If I say something inflammatory I'm willing to take the heat for it. If I am fortunate enough to express a wise opinion, then hopefully I will be looked upon kindly. But I chose from the start not to be anonymous.

My point is that since this is an internet chatboard, your decision to "stand behind" all of your posts is really just a decision to remain consistent with a collection of letters that happen to spell "Barry Sloate". You are as much a real person on here as anyone who posts under the same assumed name every time.

[barrysloate]

But if I say "the sky is blue" I want people to know that Barry Sloate said it, not just some guy on the internet. In that sense I am a real person. I'm encouraging others to form an opinion about me. If it's a good one, it will be beneficial for me down the road.

I would hate to be the guy who unlocked the mystery of the universe, and nobody knew I was the one who figured it out.

[barrysloate]

John- I hear what you are saying. Having never had a job myself, I'm a little out of the loop when it comes to office politics.

[Al C.risafulli]

If I am not mistaken, if I added a period or two and identified myself as "Bar.ry Slo.ate" wouldn't that keep my name out of standard searches?

Barry, that's exactly why I put a period in my last name on this board. I started doing it a few years ago, when someone from outside the hobby started asking me nosy questions about my 54 posts.

Unfortunately at that point I had already made the decision to use my real name here. It's the only board where I do. To remedy the situation, I put a period in my last name. But if I had to do it over again, I would NOT use my name.

-Al

[Leon]

I don't think Barry S is just a bunch of letters behind a screen. Actually he has a lovely wife and was a great host when I went to New York a year or two ago. I stayed with him for a few days and had a simply wonderful time. I felt sort of like I was on Seinfeld (being in NY and all)!! The hobby was fine before the internet, or this board, and it would be fine without them. As I mentioned I think this thread has validated our anonymity rule and has also shown a few members there can be a different, intelligent reason, or way of thinking other than their own. Rarely is anything "black or white". This is one of those cases.....thanks for all of the good responses so far. best regards

[barrysloate]

Thanks Leon, you were a model guest...like you said, we will never have agreement on this issue. I guess I will soften my position and recognize some people have a reason to remain under the radar, and it's not my place to tell them to do otherwise.

[Mr. Mitt]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

My point is that since this is an internet chatboard, your decision to "stand behind" all of your posts is really just a decision to remain consistent with a collection of letters that happen to spell "Barry Sloate". You are as much a real person on here as anyone who posts under the same assumed name every time.

I'd like to expand on this a bit. If a new person stumbles on this forum and wants information about T206's, perhaps they'll look for posts where T206Collector is involved. If they're looking for information about a Draper Maynard G41 Ruth, they may seek out Mr. Mitt. If they want chocolate or any information on Agustus or Veruca, they might assume Wankaticket may have a little knowledge. Not many Barry Sloate collectors out there. But, I digress.

Seriously, As you said Barry, over time, they read what you have written and begin to understand your points of view and trust your opinions. Now, at the same time, T206Collector and Mr. Mitt and Wankaticket post and their opinions become as trusted and respected as BarrySloate. Why would you assume that we wouldn't take pride in our posts, or stand behind them, or take the heat when we are incorrect? It comes down to vanity. You said in your last post referencing the mysteries of the universe. I don't need to have the world know my accomplishments. It's just not that important... it's a hobby, not splitting the atom! Does it really matter that Mr. Mitt questioned the authenticity of the Cobb advertisement and that Wankaticket provided visuals that damn near proved it without a shadow of a doubt? Would it have been any different if Jerry XXXX and John XXXX did the same thing? Does it matter to me that Jerry XXXX is going unrecognized for this very minor accomplishment? Not at all. As T206Collector said, if I can add some value to the forum as Mr. Mitt, it's just as important to me as using my real name.

[barrysloate]

It's not vanity in my case, it's wanting people to know that I've been around a long time and know a little bit about baseball cards. I have to tell you that being on this board for so many years and posting regularly helped my business tremendously. I decided a long time ago that having my name here in print was important. That's all really. I decided early on the being anonymous would not have been a good decision. You obviously feel differently.

[Mr. Mitt]

I'm glad that it has helped you in your business, Barry, I truly am. I'm just not sure about my case, though. I see a greater chance of it adversely affecting me than helping. I like the fact that we have a choice.

[barrysloate]

Exactly.

[Jay Wolt]

Anonymity doesn't bother on this board, good hobby content keeps me coming back,
regardless if I know who the poster is.
I place my name on each post, so I won't forget who I am.

[Bob Lemke]

Several have expressed perfectly valid reasons for not wanting their name to be associated with their presence on this forum. Unfortunately, there are others whose preference for anonymity is more about avoiding accountability for their words than anything else.

Regardless, I think this forum has always operated fairly well with Leon being the arbiter of when anonymity becomes malevolent and I trust him to continue to do so, especially now that he has more information on all registered users.

I know when I'm assessing the credibility of any post, a person whose name is right out front gets bonus points.

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by Mr. Mitt

I'm glad that it has helped you in your business, Barry, I truly am. I'm just not sure about my case, though. I see a greater chance of it adversely affecting me than helping. I like the fact that we have a choice.

I can actually see very little good coming from using a real name on a public internet chatboard unless it also helps support one's business that also contains a real name.