Would you be willing to verify that you are who you say you are?

Okay, 'fess up, you just posted that so that someone would comment on the post/username irony, right?

I suffer from no delusion that I am posting anonymously now.

But why would proving I am what or who I say I am matter? Why would anyone care? What I post stands or falls on its own merits and possibly my record of previous posts (for better or worse) not on any basis of what or who I claim I am.

Sure, if the thread is an “Ask The …” thread where the post really is the cite and there is reason to suspect that the poster is a crock, then such a request is valid and can be provided to mods only whose ability to vet on behalf of the TM yet keep specifics confidential would need to be trusted.

Same for any poster whose collection of posts seem likely to represent a false persona. If someone is suspected by mods to be a troll then a request for confidential proof that such is not the case seems just.

But for the rest of the us? I’d want to know what the reason was first.

I just had to certify who I was for a job. Used my passport card but I had my birth certificate to back that up if needed.

My username is just my surname in reverse, I’ve given people my first name, and frequently reveal information that betrays my identity.

Yes I’d be happy to verify who I am.

:slight_smile: I figured someone might point that out.

HELL NO111!!1!11!

Ain’t nobody knowing nothin’ about me. :mad:

Wait..You’re actually Mr. Blackman?

To be blunt, Ed Zotti knows my name, address, phone number, where I work, some of my family, and other very personal details. As a result I don’t need nor feel any obligation to supply any additional information to anyone on this message board about me being “real.”

It’s not just my anonymity. It’s my husband’s anonymity. And our friends and family members. And my clients. I don’t live in a vacuum (heh).

On this board, not necessarily. On other boards, yes. My first exposure to the Internet was on a message board where you HAD to use your real name. (If you thought that stopped the flame wars, you would be wrong.)

do do do do do do do do namkcalb

No, because the only way possible would be to identify myself to someone else who can also be trusted by both me and everyone else here. And I can’t think of anyone who fits the bill on both counts.

I yam what I yam.

I will verify my identity to Cecil Adams only. He will have to verify his identity first.

In reality I have revealed my work history and given advice based on that. I would be willing to give proof to admins if needed. And I have met several Dopers including PRR at a Dopefest and gave my real name.