# Would someone who knows you well be able to identify you from posts here? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 13, 2009, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-who-knows-you-well-be-able-to-identify-you-from-posts-here/481086 "2009-01-13T14:08:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-who-knows-you-well-be-able-to-identify-you-from-posts-here/481086/21 "2009-01-13T17:30:12Z")
Anyone who knew me well and had read my health threads would easily put two and two together. Other than that - maybe. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-who-knows-you-well-be-able-to-identify-you-from-posts-here/481086/22 "2009-01-13T17:46:13Z")
I strongly doubt it. I mentioned a number of anecdotes, but otherwise didn’t disclose much about my circumstances (like opening a thread about personal issues or life events, discussing my job, etc…) Though when I think of it, a couple weeks ago, I mentioned a particular problem I have with my landowner. So, someone knowing me well would know about it and think : “Hmmm…exactly like Myrealname”. If then this person began to search my posts, he could notice that every other information I gave (say, my age, the number of my siblings, by whom I’ve been brought up, some anecdote he might be aware of, etc…) points at Clairobscur being Myrealname. So, if they find the right post that rings a bell and begin investigating further, it could be possible. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-who-knows-you-well-be-able-to-identify-you-from-posts-here/481086/23 "2009-01-13T17:55:45Z")
No. I think from my posting history I could be pretty much any cartoon, crime-fighting horse. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-who-knows-you-well-be-able-to-identify-you-from-posts-here/481086/24 "2009-01-13T17:57:56Z")
Easily. I’ve been fairly open about my job and hometown. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-who-knows-you-well-be-able-to-identify-you-from-posts-here/481086/25 "2009-01-13T19:37:18Z")
It would be a no-brainer. I doubt that there’s anyone else on the planet who could have written (truthfully) all of my posts. ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-who-knows-you-well-be-able-to-identify-you-from-posts-here/481086/26 "2009-01-13T19:59:19Z")
Easily. 1. I use my email address, which includes my last name and first initial, for both my MySpace and facebook pages. 2. There is only one rugby club in Santa Fe, NM called the Santos, so that narrows it down to about fifty people. 3. I post a lot in explosive related threads, and I’m two classes shy of my master’s in explosives. 4. I can’t keep my trap shut IRL about all the Mafia games I play. 5. As others have mentioned, some of my stories are quite unique. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-who-knows-you-well-be-able-to-identify-you-from-posts-here/481086/27 "2009-01-13T20:35:27Z")
Potentially. I don’t have my location listed, but I’ve posted about it before. I’ve posted about my job (albeit vaguely), and about my current pregnancy. That would probably be enough for most people who know me to identify me. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-who-knows-you-well-be-able-to-identify-you-from-posts-here/481086/28 "2009-01-13T21:01:07Z")
Yes. Surely there can’t be someone else like my psycho ex-wife. Right? Right? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Woodhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@Miss\_Woodhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Woodhouse)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-who-knows-you-well-be-able-to-identify-you-from-posts-here/481086/29 "2009-01-14T00:40:48Z")
Maybe, but they would have to be paying attention. ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-who-knows-you-well-be-able-to-identify-you-from-posts-here/481086/30 "2009-01-14T00:49:32Z")
I think so. Some people could probably figure out it was me by my username alone, and the sum total of my posts would make it clear to just about anyone. ---
**Author:** ![sjc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e5b9ba/32.png) [@sjc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sjc)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-who-knows-you-well-be-able-to-identify-you-from-posts-here/481086/31 "2009-01-14T00:59:08Z")
I’m not sure. I think I’m more or less in **Boyo Jim** territory, i.e. if they knew I posted and tried to figure out which poster I was they probably could do it. I think there may be a post or two out there by me that could ring a bell to someone who knew me well and they might then be able to figure it out without being told I was on here, but they’d have to be lucky to come across it. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-who-knows-you-well-be-able-to-identify-you-from-posts-here/481086/32 "2009-01-14T01:08:46Z")
Yes, and I’ve been called out on it before–specifically one coworker (a Doper), and now, one wife (also a Doper). Tripler Oh, they know who they are. . . :dubious: [sub]and who I are. . .[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-who-knows-you-well-be-able-to-identify-you-from-posts-here/481086/33 "2009-01-14T01:13:27Z")
Yes. As [BBoyo Jim\*\* has said, if the person was given the task and they knew me reasonablly well, they could probably do so, otherwise unlikely. But, aside from that I have divulged a couple of pieces that persons who know about me will recognize and could well lead them to it; BUT both of them on their own don’t point to me. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Falling\_Reverend](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aca169/32.png) [@The\_Falling\_Reverend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Falling_Reverend)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-who-knows-you-well-be-able-to-identify-you-from-posts-here/481086/34 "2009-01-14T02:26:57Z")
My sister, who is a sometime poster figured me out even though I didn’t tell her I started an account here. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-who-knows-you-well-be-able-to-identify-you-from-posts-here/481086/35 "2009-01-14T02:52:51Z")
Yes, absolutely. Most of my personal friends and family know my “Larry Mudd” alias, which I’ve used in various contexts since the late eighties. I’ve posted enough here about my work that anyone who worked there would recognize me pretty closely. Eh, I’m the same person here as I am in meatspace - for better or for worse. ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f08c70/32.png) [@Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Brother_Walker)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-who-knows-you-well-be-able-to-identify-you-from-posts-here/481086/36 "2009-01-14T03:49:01Z")
Pretty easily. I introduce myself by my doper name all the time in real life. It’s a running gag. Problem is, I’d be willing to bet that \<5% of the people I know would read these threads on a regular basis. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-who-knows-you-well-be-able-to-identify-you-from-posts-here/481086/37 "2009-01-14T04:46:19Z")
Let’s see – my group from high school would probably recognize the handle from an old gag. I’ve mentioned here that I own a bookstore. My location field says I’m in Montana. I’ve mentioned here how many books I’ve written. Several people have guessed what some of them are about from which GQ threads I answer. I don’t think it would be too tough for people who know me IRL to figure it out. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-who-knows-you-well-be-able-to-identify-you-from-posts-here/481086/38 "2009-01-14T04:53:54Z")
Yeah, pretty easily. The username would be a tipoff and my writing style, the names of my pets and some of my anecdotes would clinch it. I’m not exactly fanatical about privacy and that. I know which end the bullet comes out of… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-who-knows-you-well-be-able-to-identify-you-from-posts-here/481086/39 "2009-01-14T06:01:37Z")
Very easily, I would think. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-who-knows-you-well-be-able-to-identify-you-from-posts-here/481086/40 "2009-01-14T14:11:54Z")
Christ, I’m afraid so. _L_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-who-knows-you-well-be-able-to-identify-you-from-posts-here/481086.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-who-knows-you-well-be-able-to-identify-you-from-posts-here/481086.md?page=3)