# So, my kids found out my Straightdope identity **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 1, 2024, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-kids-found-out-my-straightdope-identity/999681 "2024-04-01T14:49:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-kids-found-out-my-straightdope-identity/999681/81 "2024-04-03T01:50:44Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Not sure where I go from here. I’ll probably take a break and stop posting, at least for a little while. Naw, just post long boring stuff. Kinda like your op (_kidding!_) , but I am serious. After reading long boring screed about what you hate peanut butter or love the Beegees or whatever, they will tune out and go elsewhere. > [@solost](#): > > But it’s mostly boring stuff about recipes and politics”. Hmmm…that might make an appropriate user slogan for me-- _Mostly boring stuff about recipes and politics_ 😄 Yes, like that. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-kids-found-out-my-straightdope-identity/999681/82 "2024-04-03T01:59:45Z")
I’ve also had a fantasy of being able to make anonymous posts. In my version, there is a single user name reserved for anonymous posts. When someone wants to use it, they ask the mods and are given the password and a certain amount of time (say, 2-3 weeks) during which they can sign in as that user and start a thread about whatever it is they want to talk about. After that, it is up to the person using the anonymous name to avoid ID’ing themselves through their posts. When their time is up, the mods can either extend it (if there is an interesting discussion still active) or change the password and wait for the next request to come in. If this turned out to be popular, you could have 2-3 “anonymous” accounts reserved for the purpose. Offhand I don’t see why this wouldn’t be possible, but I know modding is a lot more work than it may look from the outside, and I would never pester them for something like this. A girl can dream, though. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-kids-found-out-my-straightdope-identity/999681/83 "2024-04-03T02:13:56Z")
I sometimes talk about stories on the dope at the dinner table. My daughter sometimes talks about whostheasshole. I’m pretty sure my husband and daughter could find me here if they tried. I’m pretty sure they haven’t tried. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-kids-found-out-my-straightdope-identity/999681/84 "2024-04-03T15:10:24Z")
How would folks use an anonymous identity? to talk about sensitive personal issues or fess up to unpopular opinions or to put some one blast in the bbq pit without smudging one’s board rep? ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-kids-found-out-my-straightdope-identity/999681/85 "2024-04-03T15:20:46Z")
> [@Topologist](#): > > When we met in Chicago, she was a freelance contributor to the Reader and Cecil consulted her once about a column he was writing. Wow! You are not worthy. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-kids-found-out-my-straightdope-identity/999681/86 "2024-04-03T16:03:11Z")
> [@chela](#): > > How would folks use an anonymous identity? We once had secrets thread. Some elaborate system was devised so we could anonymously email our secrets to someone who would post them all. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-kids-found-out-my-straightdope-identity/999681/87 "2024-04-03T16:56:55Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > No one who knows I post here would put in that level of effort, nor really care all that much. I was driving home a few weeks ago and saw a dumpster with **Big** stenciled on the side. I initially read it as **BigT** and was weirded out a bit. Turns out they’re a new garbage hauler locally. > **[Big's Sanitation](https://bigssanitation.com/)** ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-kids-found-out-my-straightdope-identity/999681/88 "2024-04-03T18:14:30Z")
Big S Big T Easy mistake to make. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-kids-found-out-my-straightdope-identity/999681/89 "2024-04-03T18:48:14Z")
> [@chela](#): > > How would folks use an anonymous identity? to talk about sensitive personal issues or fess up to unpopular opinions or to put some one blast in the bbq pit without smudging one’s board rep? yep…all of those reasons, plus the need to stay anonymous from your employer. It’s never going to happen , but it would be a nice improvement to this site. We could have some very honest discussions. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-kids-found-out-my-straightdope-identity/999681/90 "2024-04-03T18:56:15Z")
I quote the Board all the time to people I know. But nobody would bother to find the Board or find me on it. These are friends, not SO, kids, parents, sibs, or any family–so not interested in my secrets. (Which I haven’t shared here anyway.) I’m careful about my internet presence. I’ve never been on Facebook or any other social media. When I’ve posted on different boards in the past I used a different screen name for each board. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-kids-found-out-my-straightdope-identity/999681/91 "2024-04-03T19:38:40Z")
Well, I think it would come in handy if you valued the opinion of people on the board but had a question too personal to reveal (or perhaps you’d be worried about someone IRL reading your words). For example (and I’m making these up, they are NOT questions I would need to ask!): - My partner is abusive and I need to squirrel away some money so I can leave them, but they control our finances. Suggestions? - I’m no longer interested in sex. What steps can I take and how can I deal with this without hurting my partner’s feelings? - I think my kid might be gay but they won’t talk about it with me. How can I get them to open up? - I stole some money from my employer and now I feel awful. What can I do to fix the situation without admitting guilt, as I’m pretty sure I’d be prosecuted and end up with a criminal record, if not jail time? Etc. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-kids-found-out-my-straightdope-identity/999681/92 "2024-04-03T19:41:25Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > Well, I think it would come in handy if you valued the opinion of people on the board but had a question too personal to reveal Yes, it would. It also wouldn’t take long for it to be abused but trolls, much less so than in years past but still. Finally, it’s difficult enough to moderate this place and I wouldn’t want the staff here to have to deal with that additional morass. ---
**Author:** ![Topologist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/topologist/32/3208_2.png) [@Topologist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Topologist)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-kids-found-out-my-straightdope-identity/999681/93 "2024-04-03T20:24:03Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > > [@Topologist](#): > > > > When we met in Chicago, she was a freelance contributor to the Reader and Cecil consulted her once about a column he was writing. > > Wow! You are not worthy. 🙂 That’s the way I feel much of the time, yes. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-kids-found-out-my-straightdope-identity/999681/94 "2024-04-03T21:42:26Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Man get out. 🤦🏻‍♂️ ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-kids-found-out-my-straightdope-identity/999681/95 "2024-04-03T21:43:34Z")
I have few _real_ secrets. The ones I have are very easy to keep quiet about. I think if you need real anonymity on a subject it’s probably not a good idea to put it online in any form. It also stays on your device which can be violated or in case of criminal behavior seized and looked at by many eyes. Yeah. Tell no one. If you have an accomplice you’ll have to snuff 'em out, unfortunately. That’s the way it works. No partners in crime. No witnesses😏 ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2024, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-kids-found-out-my-straightdope-identity/999681/96 "2024-04-04T08:03:51Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > Wait, your username is “so lost”? I’ve been reading it as “solo st” this whole time. 🤦 I assumed it was like “soloist” but with a missing letter. Me, too. My kids know that I post here, and they know my user name. However, as typical teenagers, they aren’t really interesting in what I have to say. I also helps that I rarely post anything personal concerning them. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2024, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-kids-found-out-my-straightdope-identity/999681/97 "2024-04-04T08:13:57Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > It also wouldn’t take long for it to be abused but trolls, I’m curious how trolls could abuse the system. As I imagine the system, only non-trolls would have access to the anonymous accounts, because the way you would be able to use it would be by mod request. It would be very easy to have screening rules - minimum 5 year membership with no fewer than 150 posts per year, for example. If you didn’t meet those standards (plus not ping the troll-dar of the mod team, for whatever arbitrary rules they wished to internally impose, no questions from the hot polo to be bothered with) - then you’d be turned away. So trolls would never be able to use the system. That being the case, how would this system encourage trolls? ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2024, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-kids-found-out-my-straightdope-identity/999681/98 "2024-04-04T08:23:04Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > no questions from the hot polo Stupid auto correct. That was supposed to read “no questions from the hoi polloi.” ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2024, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-kids-found-out-my-straightdope-identity/999681/99 "2024-04-04T10:43:30Z")
Hot polo is much better. It may become a SDMB meme… (by which i mean i will make sure it does!) ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2024, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-kids-found-out-my-straightdope-identity/999681/100 "2024-04-04T12:19:40Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > Stupid auto correct. That was supposed to read “no questions from the hoi polloi.” > [@pjd](#): > > Hot polo is much better. It may become a SDMB meme… Or @CairoCarol’s new user slogan… 🙂 **CairoCarol**  _no questions from the hot polo_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-kids-found-out-my-straightdope-identity/999681.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-kids-found-out-my-straightdope-identity/999681.md?page=6)