Anonymity on the board?

[T206Collector]

I could see why it annoys the people who use their real name on here to have to argue with a guy named "T206Fart". But my only point is that T206Fart and Leon Luckey are both equally "real" to me.

[barrysloate]

Sportscardtheory, T206 Collector and others: Several years ago the late Joe P. and I began a hostile exchange that sadly was never resolved. I remember I was away for the weekend and came home to a bunch of emails asking me why Joe P. attacked me so viciously. I had to get on the board to see what it was about.

And while it's no fun to get into a nasty argument with anyone, the one thing that bothered me the most was I had absolutely no idea who it was. He then used the named tobacco-r-us and nothing more. No matter how many times I asked him to reveal himself he wouldn't, but the attacks continued. He knew exactly who I was, but I had no idea who my adversary was. Do you think that is fair? Finally, after about two weeks somebody emailed me and identified him. Turns out he was an old customer who I had recently reunited with through one of my auctions. Don't you think I had a right in that situation to know his name?

[sportscardtheory]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Sportscardtheory, T206 Collector and others: Several years ago the late Joe P. and I began a hostile exchange that sadly was never resolved. I remember I was away for the weekend and came home to a bunch of emails asking me why Joe P. attacked me so viciously. I had to get on the board to see what it was about.

And while it's no fun to get into a nasty argument with anyone, the one thing that bothered me the most was I had absolutely no idea who it was. He then used the named tobacco-r-us and nothing more. No matter how many times I asked him to reveal himself he wouldn't, but the attacks continued. He knew exactly who I was, but I had no idea who my adversary was. Do you think that is fair? Finally, after about two weeks somebody emailed me and identified him. Turns out he was an old customer who I had recently reunited with through one of my auctions. Don't you think I had a right in that situation to know his name?

Not in my opinion. If he was out of line, then he should have been "moderated". If you were both in a heated discussion, then who's to say you didn't start it just so you can get his info (strictly hypothetical). And what happened when you found out who he was? I don't understand why a person's personal info needs to be plastered all over the board just because you want it to be. (my tone is just general curiosity and not inflammatory)

[barrysloate]

No, I didn't start it at all. I was away for the weekend and he posted during that time. His beef was I hijacked somebody's thread which I technically did, but it was another board member who started the digression and I responded to it. Nevertheless, when I did find out it was somebody I had been friendly with in the past it affected me differently than if it were a total stranger.

We probably need to agree that we will continue to disagree on this point. And it's no big deal. But I do believe that if you post anonymously you pretty much have carte blanche to say whatever you want, no matter how outrageous and insulting it may be. You can lie, boast, curse people out, do whatever you please and nobody will ever know it's you. But if you put your name out it will hold you to a higher standard. You will be more careful with what you say. I do believe this, and I realize you may not. No hard feelings either way.

[Peter_Spaeth]

If you don't want to be googled, use a "." or a "_" in your name, how hard is that?

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

If you don't want to be googled, use a "." or a "_" in your name, how hard is that?

Your assumption is that the only Googling to be concerned about is when the search engine finds the name you used when making posts.

[sportscardtheory]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

No, I didn't start it at all. I was away for the weekend and he posted during that time. His beef was I hijacked somebody's thread which I technically did, but it was another board member who started the digression and I responded to it. Nevertheless, when I did find out it was somebody I had been friendly with in the past it affected me differently than if it were a total stranger.

We probably need to agree that we will continue to disagree on this point. And it's no big deal. But I do believe that if you post anonymously you pretty much have carte blanche to say whatever you want, no matter how outrageous and insulting it may be. You can lie, boast, curse people out, do whatever you please and nobody will ever know it's you. But if you put your name out it will hold you to a higher standard. You will be more careful with what you say. I do believe this, and I realize you may not. No hard feelings either way.

Agreed to respectfully disagree. I personally don't want anyone that I don't know having my personal info, but that's just me. Personal security and safety is far more important to me than someone's feelings on a message board. The internet is now a weapon, and there are a lot of looses cannons out there. Leon keeps bringing up that nothing has ever happened to him in so many years, but he is only one person. Nothing serious has happened to me either, but what about all the people that something HAS happened to. The world doesn't start and stop at our own personal experiences. I do understand that this is a privately owned and run board and we all must follow the rules or leave, so it's not an issue to me any longer. I'm just cordially discussing my opinions on the matter. : )

[barrysloate]

Well you do have the right to remain anonymous here. The trade off is you can't make personal attacks or get involved in very controversial discussions. Do you at least think that is fair? Do you think it's fair to go after someone when that individual doesn't know who you are, but you know exactly who he is?

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Well you do have the right to remain anonymous here. The trade off is you can't make personal attacks or get involved in very controversial discussions. Do you at least think that is fair? Do you think it's fair to go after someone when that individual doesn't know who you are, but you know exactly who he is?

I'll agree with you if you'll acknowledge that I don't know you any better than I know Sportscardtheory and if either of you attack me, you'd still both be d1cks -- even if your "real" name is Barry.

[T206Collector]

But I'd like the Board to be comfortable for famous/public figures with great collections to contribute.

Some of the best collectors want to limit their public exposure. Force a "real" name out of them and they'll never come on here.

[Jewish-collector]

I believe there are a few members of this board that have world class collections & give their full name out.

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Don't you think I had a right in that situation to know his name?

This is obviously a very personal issue to you. And I am sympathetic to the unique facts of your argument with Joe P.

I think you feel exposed on here because you have always used your real name and a lot of people in the industry know you personally and professionally. Sitting in your shoes from the spotlight, I would certainly want the light shined on everyone ese.

But when I came on here, from day 1, I never wanted to post my name publicly or learn the real life info of anyone else; in nearly a decade on here I've never met member (except 2 or 3 extremely brief "here you go/thanks" in person card trades). Viewing the world from where I sit in the shade, I could care less about "real" names. And I understand and respect the importance of not being easily Google-able by, e.g., a current or future employer.

Do you know that the next time you apply for a job somewhere that they will Google you and see all of your posts on here?

Or that Michael O'Keefe might write a blog about you?

Why would you expose yourself to that?