A little whisper in the dark

Dual identity

I participate in online forums on a daily basis, committment level served by the current activity of interest. Variously, I'm part of biking, radio control car, vintage toys, photography forums, among other things.

On one of these forums, I hold a fairly public role, as a reviewer of bikes, equipment, and writer of articles, with my handle (also known as nickname) being associated both with my person, and the site's management.

However like everyone else, I too have my own opinions, but I feel compelled not to express them via my regular nickname, lest it be misconstrued as the organization's opinion. You know how it is: despite any and every possible disclaimer that the views expressed are the writer's own, and in no way reflect the organization's stand, someone will find some way to drag the whole organization through the mud.

The solution? A separate identity.

I suppose its a common thing to have more than one identity in forums. You too might participate in various forums, and even if you didn't have more than one ID, at one point or other you might've saw or suspected someone who might.

They use it to create mischief, to spam and every other thing that is deemed in violation of the rules. Basically they are hiding, not only behind their computer screens, but behind a separate nickname. Kind of like doing the crime but not doing the time.

I've got a separate identity. It isn't one which is used to create chaos. Conversely I use it to speak from a third person point of view. By informing the site's webmaster beforehand, I ensure both his implicit approval and alibi, as well as preventing myself from abusing that identity.

My alter-ego doesn't appear often, only when necessary. Almost like a superhero that jumps into a phone booth to shed his civvies and appear in the time of need, so does this nickname. Except that he is not all-powerful; in fact he has no power other than his opinion and voice.

I would like to think that Mr Alter-Ego is able to however do things that I can't do based on my affliation. To speak out on behalf of one party to defend him (whether right or wrong - it is a personal view) without making it look like he's got the whole wieght of the organization behind him is one of them. Sometimes that single opinion is all that is needed to make others see the alternative view. To remind them of the conversation topic. To prevent a snowball "me-too" effect from developing from controversial topics.

When I end my affliation with this website, maybe I will use this nickname full-time.

posted by Chung Leong @ 1:12 AM