Anonymity

There's a person named "mcd" whose bright comments abound in blog spaces I frequent. At least I think mcd is a person, but we could all be dogs on the internet.   Mcd is merely a recent addition to my list of people I'd like to know who prefer to remain anonymous.  These people have a right to their anonymity, and they certainly do no harm with it.  The expository exchanges in blogs and mail lists lower the potential for mischief that seems implicit in dealing with the anonymous, be they people or dogs.  Except for ideas, nobody is trying to sell much in these quarters.

This week, Andy Borrows writes about the choice of transparency and how it influences us, shapes our writing away from some personal areas, and therefore represents a paradox.  I know what he's talking about.  Common sense and a sensitivity for the privacy of others prevents me from addressing topics related to my work, yet it's in my work that I experience some of the most profound difficulties of my mundane life.  And, while I'm quick to applaud achievements of friends and family here, I'm more discrete when it comes to mulling over difficulties we may have.

So would it be better to write anonymously?  In general I think not.  But from time to time I'd like to let it all hang out about a cluster-fuck at work or a favorite relative who has recently fallen off a cliff. Yet, I don't want to make people mad at me, and I certainly don't want to alienate my clients or my co-workers.

What's a poor bloggy boy to do?

Comments

[madame l.]

yeah, hi fp, i am familiar with mcd. he had a blog on blogspot for a while but abandoned it when his wife, who suffers from bpd, made him get rid of it because she considers it akin to him having an affair. this is according to mcd. he's a nice guy with a lot to say. (but, i could be a dog-namer...)i beseech you, do not blog about our difficulties. i put my big f-foot in my big f-mouth just today, again. maybe mcd is me. ever think of that?

[fp]

Yes, well Friday the 13th falls on a Friday this month. I just noticed that. Do you remember the time I got my big toe stuck in the bath tub faucet?
Yours truly,
Rob Petrie

[fp]

But wait! That was your toe in the faucet, not mine. I think we have boundary issues.

[Tamar]

I guess I had to quote you on this one - or at least use a version of your last line in the title of my post: "What's a poor bloggy boy to do?"

Thank you.

[fp]

I noticed that and I was happy to have inspired you, you bloggy person you.

[Dean Landsman]

mcd is really a large multinational burger chain posing as a blogger. Do not, repeat, DO NOT be surprised if mcd soon takes to ending posts (yeah, I know, comments) with those sage words known to many, "would you like fries with that?" or if mcd starts to supersize those comments.

[fp]

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