# Una. Whither Anthracite? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 22, 2003, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/una-whither-anthracite/203064 "2003-09-22T12:23:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Algernon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2003, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/una-whither-anthracite/203064/1 "2003-09-22T12:23:22Z")
I cannot find any thread explaining the name change of **Anthracite** changing her username to **Una Persson**. It must be recent because I found [this post on 9-19-03](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&postid=4004844#post4004844) where the poster is identified as **Anthracite**. This might confuse a some newer Dopers. I recall a thread quite a while ago where she was considering a name change, but I’m a little surprised I guess that I can’t find a thread announced the change officially. If I missed it somehow, just color me embarrassed. **Una** , if you see this would you care to comment? ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2003, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/una-whither-anthracite/203064/2 "2003-09-22T17:26:24Z")
When I first joined the SDMB, I chose “Anthracite” as a name for two main reasons. First, because it fell in line with my expertise in coal, and second because I thought that a female would not be taken seriously in science topics. Which had been my experience elsewhere. Of course, on the SDMB it doesn’t matter who or what you are, just whether or not you know the facts and can present them properly. So I need not have worried. I’ve joked about other meanings of “Anthracite” in the past. They have only been half-serious and were _ex post facto_ anyhow. Everywhere else I am known as Una. And my short fiction, erotica, art criticism, and research articles are all under that name as well. And, of course, there is my Board too, unfortunately named after me. So when I started writing my first SDMB Staff Report, since it was a formal article, I decided to use my pen name “Una” rather than my Board name. However, I realize that within the community having two names like that, while not prohibited by the rules, could be confusing. Thus, I chose the one I am most often known as. I’m still Anthracite, and still know everything there is to know about coal. But things are different now. There was no announcement to be made, as I didn’t think many people would care much about me anyhow, let alone a name change. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2003, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/una-whither-anthracite/203064/3 "2003-09-22T17:32:27Z")
I myself am deeply distressed at this turn of events. But if we could just do something about her self-esteem (see “unfortunately named after me,” above), I’d be much mollified. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Algernon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2003, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/una-whither-anthracite/203064/4 "2003-09-22T18:19:54Z")
**Una** , thank you for taking the time to post a reply. I only have two comments. First, re: “erotica”. I had no idea. Samples? (lascivious grin) Second, re: “didn’t think many people would care”. I’d be surprised if this were true. IIRC, your thread a while back about whether or not you should change your username received a lot of replies. And, I know that Anthracite was a highly respected name. Of course, for those who know the connection, this respect will transfer to your new _nom de plume_. Thanks again. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2003, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/una-whither-anthracite/203064/5 "2003-09-22T19:54:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Algernon \* > \*\*First, re: “erotica”. I had no idea. Samples? (lascivious grin) > > Second, re: “didn’t think many people would care”. I’d be surprised if this were true. IIRC, your thread a while back about whether or not you should change your username received a lot of replies. And, I know that Anthracite was a highly respected name. Of course, for those who know the connection, this respect will transfer to your new _nom de plume_.\*\* Well, I think this thread is about to be drop-kicked out of here as it’s not about this message board, but I’ll answer your last two points before it is. 😉 1. Everything I’ve written is posted on my Board, not here. 2. Hopefully I can write more Staff Reports and get respect associated with my new name, instead of other things. Hopefully someone will ask Cecil a hard coal question (pun most certainly intended), and I can write a 50-page manifesto on coal for the SDMB… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2003, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/una-whither-anthracite/203064/6 "2003-09-22T19:59:18Z")
Can you enlighten me on the erotic uses of coal? I keep coming across these references that I don’t understand… ---
**Author:** ![Algernon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2003, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/una-whither-anthracite/203064/7 "2003-09-23T12:34:36Z")
**Erotic Confessions Of Anthracite** Quietly waiting in the dark. In my bed. Virginal and untouched. The clock ticks and ages pass. Waiting to be discovered and opened up. Waiting for a man to come. Exploring with shafts long and straight. Touching and caressing. First softly then roughly. Faster. Harder. Until I break free. Tongues of fire lick me. Smoldering. The heat within builds to a climax. I erupt in red hot shimmering fever. Then return to quiet, white softness. Complete and satisfied. My destiny fulfilled. ( **Una** , until I made the attempt, I had no clue that coal could be erotic. OK. It’s a poor attempt. But still…) Um, Jenny, I guess now you have more than enough reason to “drop kick” this into a different forum if you want. (grin) ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2003, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/una-whither-anthracite/203064/8 "2003-09-23T13:17:04Z")
Drop kicked it is, from ATMB to MPSIMS. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2003, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/una-whither-anthracite/203064/9 "2003-09-23T13:20:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Una Persson \* > I’m still Anthracite, and still know everything there is to know about coal. Oh yeah? What’s the best kind of coal to stick in my family’s Christmas stockings? And where do I get a truckload of it? ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2003, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/una-whither-anthracite/203064/10 "2003-09-23T13:25:40Z")
I think the eroticity of coal is summed up by this line from _Ferris Bueller’s Day Off_: > [@](#): > > Pardon my French, but Cameron is so tight that if you stuck a lump of coal up his ass, in two weeks you’d have a diamond. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2003, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/una-whither-anthracite/203064/11 "2003-09-23T13:53:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Algernon \* > **Erotic Confessions Of Anthracite** > > Quietly waiting in the dark. In my bed. Virginal and untouched. > The clock ticks and ages pass. > Waiting to be discovered and opened up. > Waiting for a man to come. Somehow I don’t think so. ---
**Author:** ![Algernon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2003, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/una-whither-anthracite/203064/12 "2003-09-23T13:56:12Z")
(smile) Well. I was referring to anthracite the mineral, not Anthracite the persson. ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2003, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/una-whither-anthracite/203064/13 "2003-09-23T14:41:02Z")
It was pretty fucking good actually, **Algie**. I’m impressed (in a “Carry On” kind of way, admittedly). pan ---
**Author:** ![Fatwater\_Fewl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4491bb/32.png) [@Fatwater\_Fewl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fatwater_Fewl)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2003, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/una-whither-anthracite/203064/14 "2003-09-23T17:05:26Z")
It was _very good_, **Algernon**. ---
**Author:** ![Algernon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2003, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/una-whither-anthracite/203064/15 "2003-09-23T20:10:26Z")
Why **kabbes** and **Fatwater** , _thank you_ for your kind words. I am honored.