I use my full name as my username and frankly regret it. People who aren’t familiar with EA have googled me and found this, and it’s a lot to have my detailed opinions available publicly. Another username can easily be proven to be yours or linked to your real identity, but won’t be so easily googled. Would probably recommend alternate usernames to most people.
In general, I like people using their real names — it makes the Forum feel more warm and community-ish. I think risks like doxxing seem far more likely than they are because incidents of doxxing get a lot of news coverage relative to their likelihood. In addition, what we discuss here mostly isn’t very interesting to the outside world.
But in the end, of course, it’s totally up to you! Everyone has their own personal standards around privacy, and the Forum is open to everyone.
(On a separate note, I imagine that the decision looks different for “John Smith” vs. “Aaron Gertler” — some names are much harder to Google than others.)
I’m not worried about doxxing, I’m worried about people I know googling me, coming across this and then thinking it’s all a bit weird. For example I’m a single guy open to dating non-EAs who may not have an interest in philosophy or animal welfare or may find thinking about millions of years in the future just plain stupid. At some point they may google me and wonder to themselves if they’re dating a bit of a weirdo!
FWIW, I skimmed your recent comments and I’d be pretty surprised if a potential partner would get the impression you’re weird. I expect the topics to be unfamiliar, but your comments read to me like you’re writing reasonably, helpfully and in a friendly manner about some niche topics.
I use my full name as my username and frankly regret it. People who aren’t familiar with EA have googled me and found this, and it’s a lot to have my detailed opinions available publicly. Another username can easily be proven to be yours or linked to your real identity, but won’t be so easily googled. Would probably recommend alternate usernames to most people.
I think we can get it changed by asking an admin. I probably will.
You can ask me if you want it changed.
In general, I like people using their real names — it makes the Forum feel more warm and community-ish. I think risks like doxxing seem far more likely than they are because incidents of doxxing get a lot of news coverage relative to their likelihood. In addition, what we discuss here mostly isn’t very interesting to the outside world.
But in the end, of course, it’s totally up to you! Everyone has their own personal standards around privacy, and the Forum is open to everyone.
(On a separate note, I imagine that the decision looks different for “John Smith” vs. “Aaron Gertler” — some names are much harder to Google than others.)
I’m not worried about doxxing, I’m worried about people I know googling me, coming across this and then thinking it’s all a bit weird. For example I’m a single guy open to dating non-EAs who may not have an interest in philosophy or animal welfare or may find thinking about millions of years in the future just plain stupid. At some point they may google me and wonder to themselves if they’re dating a bit of a weirdo!
FWIW, I skimmed your recent comments and I’d be pretty surprised if a potential partner would get the impression you’re weird. I expect the topics to be unfamiliar, but your comments read to me like you’re writing reasonably, helpfully and in a friendly manner about some niche topics.
Reasonable enough!