Real Names

[Richard T. Eger]

This may bowl over many that know me, but I do support the use of pseudonyms on TOCH!. The reason for this turn of events is the recent dialog regarding Ed West first deciding to wait until an eBay auction was over to list the auction, then, under the weight of relentless badgering, changing his mind and going back to the way he used to do it. Poor "Nemo" was mercilessly attacked by people who, indeed, gave their names. Now, what if "Nemo" just happened to be one of our brethren who happened to support the initial change? Would he then be castigated by all as a pariah? What if he were an author? Would we start a boycott of his books?

No, I'm afraid this forum needs to allow the use of pseudonyms so that those that just happen to disagree with the disagreeable majority might be able to do so without being castrated by that majority. It wasn't a kindly discussion, but a public lynching.

Regards,
Richard

[Kjetil Aakra]

I see your point Richard, and perhaps it is best to leave it optional, but I would like to see a strong suggestion on the register pages that real names should be used, at least in the signature.

Kjetil Aakra

[edwest]

As in the case of all human endeavors, the internet is the best and worst of human behavior and all shades in between. The anonymous and unseen can shout obscenities in your web forum and disappear. They can be in Malaysia while you are in the US. Criminals and con artists abound. Along with the immature and the bored.

On balance, it appears I've gotten more good than bad. How many of us here are ever likely to meet face to face or even have a phone call together? It seems most will not. Everyone I know looks at me a little oddly whenever I bring up the subject of the Luftwaffe and most have no interest in it. Should I write a book, I doubt few outside the specialist community would read it, with perhaps a few copies ending up in the hands of the curious among the public. And then another person might join these ranks.


Best regards to all,
Ed

[Richard T. Eger]

Ed, I certainly agree that the Internet can bring out the best and worst in us. And, certainly, being able to hide behind a pseudonym allows pot shooting in the safety of that anonymity. However, in this particular case, Nemo conducted himself as a complete gentleman, even though he never divulged his name. For those that wish to flame, we have both the webmaster's infrequently used warnings and delete key, as well as those more responsible within the forum to call down such behavior.

In the particular discussion, I don't recall that anyone used profanity nor acted in a flaming manner. However, there was a great degree of emotion involved and the peer pressure applied to Nemo was enormous and, in my mind, unwarranted. It was essentially posed in terms of one has to be a lout to disagree with so many people piled up on one side.

So, here I believe was a case where anonymity was served well.

Regards,
Richard

[John Vasco]

Originally Posted by Richard T. Eger

This may bowl over many that know me, but I do support the use of pseudonyms on TOCH!. The reason for this turn of events is the recent dialog regarding Ed West first deciding to wait until an eBay auction was over to list the auction, then, under the weight of relentless badgering, changing his mind and going back to the way he used to do it. Poor "Nemo" was mercilessly attacked by people who, indeed, gave their names. Now, what if "Nemo" just happened to be one of our brethren who happened to support the initial change? Would he then be castigated by all as a pariah? What if he were an author? Would we start a boycott of his books?

No, I'm afraid this forum needs to allow the use of pseudonyms so that those that just happen to disagree with the disagreeable majority might be able to do so without being castrated by that majority. It wasn't a kindly discussion, but a public lynching.

Regards,
Richard

Richard,

I have to disagree with you about the treatment of 'Nemo'. Go to post 78 of the discussion you are talking about, see what he posted, and read the rest of the posts. Nemo was shit-stirring and making ill-founded allegations, and I called him out about it. And, I wasn't the only one to take him to task. Basically, he got all that he deserved in that thread. Had he posted the same under a real name, whoever he was, he would have got the same.

I dislike being classed in what you term a 'diagreeable majority'. Nemo posted certain allegations that were without foundation, and in at least one instance posted what I consider to be a slur against me. If anyone does that, then I will defend myself, whoever they may be, anonymous or real-name poster. Go read the thread again, Richard. It wasn't a public lynching, but a vigorous discussion where someone was challenged on some of the points he made.