# Have you ever revealed your real life identity here in your posts? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 22, 2013, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-revealed-your-real-life-identity-here-in-your-posts/653624 "2013-03-22T12:32:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-revealed-your-real-life-identity-here-in-your-posts/653624/41 "2013-03-22T17:24:37Z")
1. I’m out and about and sometimes people here refer to me by my actual name. Don’t care about it. I find Internet anonymity to be a bad thing, in general. Say something? Have the courage to stand by it. ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-revealed-your-real-life-identity-here-in-your-posts/653624/42 "2013-03-22T17:52:10Z")
Maybe 2, leaning on 1. A dedicated personage might be able to crack the devious code and derive my real first name from my user name (hint: It’s not Leah) and I fairly routinely link to my flickr account that tells everyone my full name. I’ve never actually announced my name on the board directly, and probably never will, but one would need only the smallest amount of interest to find out. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-revealed-your-real-life-identity-here-in-your-posts/653624/43 "2013-03-22T18:01:19Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > I’m somewhere in the middle. I’m not very worried about Dopers finding out my RL identity - I’ve made Facebook friends and attended Dopefests and it’s all good. What I’m worried about is people I know in RL finding out about my Doper identity. I have shared a lot of personal things on this board. To that end I try to make sure I never connect my user name with my real name. This. Finding out my RL identity is relatively easy, but it’s hard to imagine anybody here having a reason to put the puzzle together and to then use it in a way that would damage me. OTOH, there’s people out there who’d totally freak out about things such as “oh noes, you post about your work!” when it’s not so different from talking about it with friends and family - who get much more-damning details (for starters, my closest relatives have heard the names of my clients and my agents, which I’ve never given here). TLDR call it a 3. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-revealed-your-real-life-identity-here-in-your-posts/653624/44 "2013-03-22T18:15:43Z")
A coworker (also a member, unbeknownst to me) figured out who I was after a few work posts several years ago. I decided to tone down work related stories after that, but it wasn’t a big thing. Also, **Czarcasm** knows where I live b/c he came to one of my block parties one time. So…3.5 I guess. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-revealed-your-real-life-identity-here-in-your-posts/653624/45 "2013-03-22T18:48:12Z")
Nobody here should know my name or specifically what I do for a living, just the area I live in and some other details such as cars I’ve owned and places I’ve been. So…4. ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-revealed-your-real-life-identity-here-in-your-posts/653624/46 "2013-03-22T18:54:29Z")
I’ve never said who I was, but I’m sure I’ve dropped enough clues that if you wished to you could figure out who I am. Heck I even have a Wiki page. The main reason I maintain any anonymity, is I really wouldn’t want people asking specific questions directed at me, which I’d feel some obligation to answer as I view many of you as unmet friends. I guess that makes me a 2&4 though not a 3. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-revealed-your-real-life-identity-here-in-your-posts/653624/47 "2013-03-22T19:33:19Z")
I think there’s enough information in some of my old posts to track me down. **Rushgeekgirl** once correctly deduced my former church, for example. It wasn’t in a stalkery way; I just commented on the church in a way that would make it obvious to many Memphians what it was. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-revealed-your-real-life-identity-here-in-your-posts/653624/48 "2013-03-22T19:38:17Z")
I don’t think that it would take much effort for someone to figure out who I am (for example, somewhere on the board I mentioned my twitter handle, which gets you to me very quickly). Ok then. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-revealed-your-real-life-identity-here-in-your-posts/653624/49 "2013-03-22T20:13:06Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I’ve shared enough details that someone who knows me IRL could identify me. I doubt that a stranger could follow the clues and identify me. I am quite certain no one would have any motive to try. A great big ditto to this from me. So I guess I’m a 4. I would go to a dopefest, but they don’t happen very often here and I couldn’t make it to the last one. Roddy ---
**Author:** ![psiekier](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psiekier/32/116_2.png) [@psiekier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psiekier)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-revealed-your-real-life-identity-here-in-your-posts/653624/50 "2013-03-22T21:00:17Z")
> [@bienville](#): > > Seems real life identity has come up a few times in the past few months. > [ul] > [li]There was a Pit Thread in which one poster made a game of collecting clues from the Pitee’s posting history building up to a phone call (to the Pitee’s supposed place of work) that lead to a banning.[/li][li]There’s the **Opal** memorials- she wasn’t guarded about her real life identity and the memorials recap much of what she shared.[/li][li]There was a “drive-by” post by a new member who apparently never returned, but she used her e-mail address (first initial, last name @whatevermail) as her username then she referred to herself by her first name in her post. A more seasoned poster warned her about being careful about guarding one’s own privacy.[/li][/ul] > How guarded have you been here about your real life identity? Sorry, had to trim the OP. Your mention of **Opal** should occupy the _third_ bullet, **bienville**. I’m a ‘1’. My login is my first initial and the first seven letters of my last name, and there aren’t that many like me here in the US. There isn’t anybody in this thread that I know or have met in real life, but I do know several Dopers. A few of them even got banninated, though I have no idea how. We just don’t hang out any more like we used to. Real life, having a family, and raising children tends to interfere with the kind of wild shindigs the SDMB is likely to throw. > [@RealityChuck](#): > > Probably 1. I don’t share my name on the board (though it does include my real name in it). I used to link to my web page in my sig (until the mods told me the rules had changed) and make no secret of it. Now, I’ll occasionally link to my blog or web page when it is part of the discussion. > > I guess the best description is a transparent pseudonym. Anyone who wants to find my real name can do it. Man… I have a link to your old page that mentions your real name on my wesbite, **RealityChuck** - and your picture (I assume that’s you) is at the top of that old page! Should I take that link/description off? I enjoy reading (and re-reading) your reviews of forgotten movies and books… … I realized, though, that the web address given for my webpage here at the SDMB is sadly out-of-date. Still, it wouldn’t be too hard to find if you thought you had a reason. > [@Mangetout](#): > > Pretty much - lots of people know I’m the Atomic Shrimp guy, and my identity on my own website isn’t a big secret. Yeah, but is your screen name like “Man! Get out!”, or more like “Mange Tout”? The former I can kinda see, but the latter … > [@Fretful\_Porpentine](#): > > I’ve posted my full name once, a very, very long time ago, but if you know where I work and what (specifically) I do, you can probably figure out who I am. I’ve definitely posted both of these pieces of information more than once. … and you were on _Jeopardy_, too. Not knowing your real name, however, I can’t be sure I’ve seen any of those episodes. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-revealed-your-real-life-identity-here-in-your-posts/653624/51 "2013-03-22T21:13:22Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I’ve shared enough details that someone who knows me IRL could identify me. I doubt that a stranger could follow the clues and identify me. I am quite certain no one would have any motive to try. That’s pretty much what I would say. I would only add that a couple of people have let me know through PMs that they know who I am and it’s fine – they are old friends. ---
**Author:** ![maggenpye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@maggenpye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggenpye)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-revealed-your-real-life-identity-here-in-your-posts/653624/52 "2013-03-22T21:52:35Z")
Well, it would be fairly easy to find my image by searching my username and going to a site I’m on which allows avatars, then doing an image search would take you to my facebook page … … or you could go to the blog linked in my profile. ---
**Author:** ![PurpleClogs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f04885/32.png) [@PurpleClogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PurpleClogs)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-revealed-your-real-life-identity-here-in-your-posts/653624/53 "2013-03-22T22:34:22Z")
I’m still new to the forum, so I’m a 2’ but don’t foresee it changing. I think the risks are greater if you’re a vulnerable person IRL… A young female, child, a VIP of some sort, or if you frequent controversial subjects or sites. Otherwise… What are the odds someone malicious would even bother? ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-revealed-your-real-life-identity-here-in-your-posts/653624/54 "2013-03-22T23:54:52Z")
I have given out enough personal information that anyone who cared could easily identify me and at least one doper has. Not that I care. Probably a 2 on that scale. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-revealed-your-real-life-identity-here-in-your-posts/653624/55 "2013-03-23T00:01:34Z")
I’m about a 3. I’m careful about what I post in a few ways…I assume that at some point in the future, people in real life will find me. So I don’t post anything too personal or embarrassing. I have posted enough that someone who knew me would recognize me. I’m also careful about my work - I work in a popular field, and have to be cautious not to appear to represent my company. So I limit myself to general information, without commenting on specific brands. I’d have no trouble going to a Dopefest and giving my real name and information. ---
**Author:** ![Silophant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Silophant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silophant)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-revealed-your-real-life-identity-here-in-your-posts/653624/56 "2013-03-23T00:54:42Z")
1. I’ve never dropped my real name, but only because it’s never been relevant. You could figure out who I am with a bit of work, since I’ve definitely said where I go to school, and I have a unique major combination. If a Twin Cities Dopefest happens, I’ll be glad to go. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-revealed-your-real-life-identity-here-in-your-posts/653624/57 "2013-03-23T01:22:04Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > I. too, have never formally identified myself but Wait… I momentarily spaced out on how Cecil quoted me by real name in an exchange of letters on The Straight Dope that was published in one of the books and lives on in the columns archive, and to which I’ve linked in threads. For people who know me IRL even on purely professional terms I am _completely_ exposed. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-revealed-your-real-life-identity-here-in-your-posts/653624/58 "2013-03-23T04:57:45Z")
Anybody who knows me and stumbles on the site could figure it out; would have to read through a lot of posts to do it, but I think it’s possible. Going the other way, could someone who doesn’t know me work it out? **Spoons** did - the first time we met in real life, he knew who I was from my posts. He’s very good at internet detective work. I’ve also communicated with a couple of Dopers off-board, plus I’ve participated in the postcard exchange, so a few Dopers around the world know who I am and what my address is. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-revealed-your-real-life-identity-here-in-your-posts/653624/59 "2013-03-23T05:39:26Z")
No. My identity is secret so that I can patrol the boards late at night and FIGHT CRIME. If it must be known, I’m playboy billionaire, Bruce Fuckin’ Wayne. I’m BATMAN. I used to post on Democratic Underground under my real name, and some dipshit got offended at one of my posts and tried to get me in trouble IRL. I’m anonymous to protect the ones I love. From being called by reporters when I get picked up for jacking off in a Miami adult theater. ---
**Author:** ![Frumpy\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Frumpy\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frumpy_Jones)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-revealed-your-real-life-identity-here-in-your-posts/653624/60 "2013-03-23T06:34:24Z")
Since Cecil uses real names, and since he has a question of mine both in the column and in a book, finding me out is simplistic if you know what question I asked. I’m not super concerned. Basically because although I’ve been on the 'net since 1987, and using this e-nom de plume since around the same time, other people have also used my Internet name… so good luck figuring out who’s really me and who’s impostor me(s). 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-revealed-your-real-life-identity-here-in-your-posts/653624.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-revealed-your-real-life-identity-here-in-your-posts/653624.md?page=4)