[popeye]

It's not just liberals--I'm a liberal--and this goes both ways. But you're right. Any opinion on a controversial topic can and will see you targeted by malicious fanatics opposed to your opinions.

The Pollyanna types who disapprove of others using pseudonyms are generally either a) very boring people b) naive c) have some kind of stake in being able to out people e.g. Zuckerberg who makes tons of money off lack of privacy, so he argues in his book that anonymity is wrong. Of course you would, Zuck, it's your fucking bank account.

The fact of matter is that if you have an opinion, and you express it well, it's just a matter of time before someone on the opposing side tries to dox you and hurt you. This includes everything from straightforward harassment at multiple venues, to people trying to get you fired, to people shaming you online.

It's very very easy to slander people online and cause distress or hardship. Look at the trouble Wikipedia has had with malicious, fake biographies.

[Mz]

I kind of think the solution to that is to own it without cramming it down the throats of other people.

I think one thing the world needs to work on is reducing how acceptable it is to do that type thing. Hiding overly much tends to let it stand.

It's tricky, definitely.

[popeye]

When the world stops punishing people for having opinions, I'll stop using pseudonyms. Until then, I'm not going to martyr myself.

[Mz]

I wasn't asking you to martyr yourself. I am an extremely controversial figure. As I said elsewhere in this discussion, I kind of have a foot in each camp. I think about such issues a fair amount. I doubt you really want my backstory.

Peace.

[popeye]

Didn't mean to imply that you were saying that. I was just responding to your comment about "owning it". If you're a popular and controversial figure you probably have some unique insights on this, so thanks for sharing.

[Mz]

Oh, I didn't say I was "popular." But the lynchmobs have died down. Yes, I possibly have a unique position from which to develop my opinions on the topic.