We all know it is wrong on this board to have two screen names. Against the rules. But is there more to it than that?
Is it irrational? Immoral? A sin? A crime?
Discussions of the rules of this message board belong in either ATMB or the Pit. In my judgment, this thread will probably end up in the Pit anyhow sooner or later, so that’s where I’m sending it.
Well, the question comes up as to why someone would need a second name.
Generally, we’ve found that sock puppets are used for one of three things:
1.) Humor. Bringing out the poster “Dead Equine” to shout “stop beating me!” in long threads, or having “Santa Claus” show up around Christmas, can be quite amusing.
2.) Ego boosting. Having someone- even if it’s just yourself- praising your own name and supporting your own arguments is something that some people really need.
3.) Security. "I don’t want to broach this topic, because it might get me banned/lose me friends; I’ll just make up a sock to say what I really think, and let someone else take the blame.
Reason #1 I wouldn’t call immoral; but it is still against the rules, and will get a person banned.
John, you forgot Dissociative Identity Disorder (multiple-personality disorder), where each identity needs it’s own screenname.
1 is perfectly acceptable on some boards, so I wouldn’t call it immoral or a sin. Just something we don’t allow here, primarily because of 2 and 3. It’s just a casualty of previous troll behavior. The history of this place, rules get invented and privileges lost for all when there’s too much abuse. No html, no images, no multiple registrations, etc all victims of trolls.
2 is irrational and pathetic. What is at stake is your sanity. I would say your reputation, but the usual people who resort to sock puppets are spouting nonsense, that’s why nobody else will back them up, so their reputation is usually pretty shot already.
3 is a little grayer to me. Maybe someone wants to discuss a topic anonymously, but has already shared enough personal information or met people IRL and would be embarrassed. I disagree with John on this one, as I can understand how someone might not be fully comfortable with a topic about himself, and might use this as a method to gain that comfort. But the flipside of that is someone who uses the second identity to be a rude jackass and keep their main identity Mr. Friendly. That is pathetic. But the religious among us will have to answer if that is a sin.
Just so people are aware- Santa was my second screen name, and I got that name before the rule was made or enforced about no second screen names. I’ve not posted with that name in a long time and I don’t intend to. I personally think that’s a shame, because it was fun at Christmas when people would talk to “Santa”.
I always liked Santa, except when he accidentally posted as Zette. It’s a real shame he won’t be back.
But I know, if you make an exception for Santa, you’ll have to start making exceptions for the Easter Bunny, Great Pumpkin, Thanksgiving Turkey Guy, Summer Solstice Sunhead Woman, Tooth Fairy, Slug Fairy, Chicken of Bristol, and the whole lot of them. It’s a slippery slope.
What ever happened to the mass murderer we had a while back? We were really having alot of fun with that until they slipped up. (even tho I was bumped off fairly early)
And darn it all I sure am sorry that I missed Santa!
Well, I can’t speak for manhattan, but I have the new one handed keyboard with an anti-bacterial finish.
And yes, as if, posting in sockpuppet form here is a sin. In fact, posting to this message board in any form is a sin. We’re all going to Hell in a Handbasket with Cecil playing the part of Little Red Ridinghood.
That seems to be the main reason people do it, so they can say something risky, that might get them banned, and still have the ability to continue posting on the message board.
Would not the best course of action then be to refrain from engaging in risky behavior? Whether it’s a comment, or getting a second name? How illogical can you be?
