Has Billy Mac Started a New Trend? To Be or Not to Be? Real Names vs. Screen Names

[SpearMax]

To be or not to be, that is the question;
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing, end them.

from Bill Shakespeare's Hamlet

Yes, this thread is sadly about the decision to end one's life - but in name only!

Hmmm....a few weeks ago our esteemed senior member Bill McIntyre raised his age-old question. No - it was not "which came first - the chicken or the egg?" It was "why does a particular member feel the need to use to use a screen name instead of their real name?"

This is a very familiar refrain to me as I have seen him ask it many times before. This particular instance involved his desire to know the true identity of someoone interested in going out on his boat. However, there was one significant difference this time - a few people actually paid attention and (here's the zinger) actually took action to change their screen name to their real name!

Since Bill posed his last version of his sage-like question (don't take me serious Bill - I'm just poking fun) I have had quite a few requests to do so from California primarily. But, just like the spread of a trend or fad, the east coast is starting to be infected with this move to the right (or is it left? LOL) name practice.

The latest change this morning was my good friend TropicalDiver who from this day forth is now known in the "Fellowship of the Spear" by the right name "Nikki."

Hail and welcome Nikki! I like it! (By the way - check out her new signature line - she has an excellent theory on how strippers can help Homeland Security)

Me wonders if we will see a day soon when the only unreal screen names left on the board are Dive4Blood, Inlet Surf and Emo Spearo?

So - to all you spearboard psuedo-philosophers and epistemologists (definition= the study or a theory of the nature and grounds of knowledge especially with reference to its limits and validity), I ask this:

What do you all think? Will this catch on? Is it a trend (long-term) or a fad (short-term)? What is the Karma of this activity?

[bgbill]

Some people use screen names, but do not hide behind them and will also give out their real names.

The only downside I can see is when you post your real identity and you piss someone off, they can track you down and harass you.

But I think giving out your real identity gives a little more credibility to your statements, I have stated this in the past, as it is easy to hide behind a screen name.

I doubt I will change mine, as bgbill is what I use on most boards, but I also give out my real name as well.

[Mikerotch]

What do you all think? Will this catch on? Is it a trend (long-term) or a fad (short-term)? What is the Karma of this activity?

It is just a passing fad. Meanwhile, it is safe to say that Mikerotch can be added to the list of those that won't change their names. A rotch by any other name would not be Mikerotch.

Mikerotch, The Only Rotch Mikerotch Goes By.

[No Misses]

I have been approaching this issue from the other direction. What is the meaning behind some of the screen names? As for me "No Misses" this something that I strive for on every dive and I am also single as in No Mrs. Yes it is a little clichéd. I look at screen names like “FeAr_ThE_SpEaR” and wonder why the F.A.T.E.S.E.R. are capital letters. Is it code? I’m sure that there is some story behind it. Maybe I should start a thread asking members why they have chosen their screen name.

Dave Bovard
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

[No Misses]

What. Nobody else wants to fess up with where their screen name comes from?

[Man-O-War]

Mine is a name of a drug kingpin in HBO's "The Wire"

[dagodiver]

My last name is Muscato.
Mangano and Bevelaqua on my mom's side, Leto on my dad's side.
My God parents are the Magadino's and I was born in Buffalo NY.
Do the math.!


Dago.

[shane]

Brett Walley...If you dont mind, where did you get bgbill from. Non of my buisness I know, but i was just curious.

[shane]

By the way, my screen name came from some old timey western movie that my mom loved. So guess what my middle name became?

[needgills]

From the east coast...

Some satirical comments were getting misunderstood because the real names of posters were not known...the context of intended jokes were being missed. Nobody was pickin' fights, just pokin' fun, but the jokes were misunderstood.

Anyway, I used to not post my name since this is a public forum. Never cared if a SB member knew who I was...just didn't want some Dateline-type predator stalking me.

Anyway, I added my real name under my screen name. I enjoy the creativity of many of the screen names.

My screen name...this whole freediving thing would be easier if I had a set of gills...

Joe

[ObieWan2bWet]

I don't want a buch of whacky egomaniac hot headed foolios with large shafted weapons knowing who the hell I am... I would prefer to hide behind a screen name... that way I can piss them off and not get shot in the ass...

[gogators27]

I think that if most people, when they are first registering for spearboard would not mind using their real name if that what the status quo or if that was what was required or reccomended, at least for me I really don't care either way. I realize that everything I write I have to be accountable for, I can not hide behind a screen name.
My screen name is just a combination of the Gator fan that I am (born and raised and went to college here in Gainesville) and my football number from high school "27".
I also think that it is funny, that anytime sombody refers to my by my screen name they are actually cheering for the gators whether they like to or not

So, Spearmax, are you considering changing your screen name? If you decided to how easy would it be, and is it somthing that everyone could do themself or would they have to waste your time to do it?

[JLittle44]

Mine was an accident. When I signed up for Spearboard, I didn't know crap about message boards and just thought it was a loggin. Who knew it would also be my screename. Anyway it's from a juno email account I have and used as a login for a number of things.

John Little

[float 'n stalk]

my screen name comes from my "technique". I've always had my real name under it though.

[JimQPublic]

My interest in anonymity online is almost never about concealing my identity from members of whatever forum I'm on.

The greater concern is Spambots, my spouse, and my employer seeing how I spend my time.