Anonymous For A Reason
February 2nd, 2010 by ComputerBob
Regular readers know that I began writing this Journal in October, 2003 — and that I’ve written a Journal post nearly every single day since then.
In this Journal, I’ve covered a wide variety of both technical and non-technical topics, as you can see in the Journal Tags section in the right column of this site’s home page. Though most of my writings have been informational or inspirational in nature, many of them have also described some of my most intensely personal experiences.
Yet none of my thousands of Journal entries or hundreds of articles — on this and other Web sites — contain my real name.
In fact, nowhere in this site will you even find the name of the town where I live.
And even when other people have asked for permission to use one of my writings in a class that they’re teaching or a domestic violence rally or whatever, I’ve always asked them to preserve my anonymity by citing me only as “ComputerBob from ComputerBob.com.”
It’s not that I’m ashamed of the things that I’ve written. In fact, the opposite is true: everyone who I’m close to, and many groups that I’ve spoken to, know the personal stories that I’ve shared online anonymously.
As a survivor of more than my share of life traumas, I’m always happy to share my experiences with others, both online and in person, to try to help them become survivors.
I’ve always said that there would be no point in my having gone through hell so many times, unless I can reach back and help other people get through it, too.
So my online paranoia is not because of embarrassment — it started when I was a victim of online identity theft, many years ago. But it continues as a means of protection.
Basically, my online anonymity allows me to share my stories to bless and empower other people, while keeping me safe from weirdos and dangerous people.
I publish my email address on this site’s contact page, and over the years, hundreds of people have written to thank or encourage me or to share their own stories with me. Hundreds of other people in need or in crisis have written to ask me for help after reading one or more of my articles or Journal posts. Several times, in response to their emails, I’ve called individuals, to offer assistance, counsel and referrals — while blocking my real name and telephone number from their caller ID service, for my own protection.
Unfortunately, I occasionally also receive several threatening email messages, usually from violent males who are angry at me for taking a tough stance against domestic violence. I am able to sleep at night only because I know that those individuals don’t know my real name and address.
So I’m really glad that I don’t live in South Australia, where the government has just taken a big step onto a slippery slope that could eventually result in that region’s complete elimination of online anonymity.
Permalink:
http://www.computerbob.com/wp/anonymous-for-a-reason.php
Tags:
Dubious, Ethics, Freedom, Friends, Internet, Law, Personal, Rights, Security, Survivors