Anon-a-must?
One thing that is great on Steemit is the freedom and a big part of that is the ability to be anonymous. There are many reasons that one may want to remain anonymous but I think for many, it is for tax purposes more than any threat from persecution. Much of the cryptocurrency world is anonymous as after all, it is part of the reason the blockchain was invented. Anyone found Satoshi yet?
If we imagine for a moment that it is in fact possible to remain anonymous in the long term and there won't be AIs capable of trawling data for identification purposes, is this what is best for Steemit? This is a social platform isn't it?
What I wonder is if mass adoption is being slowed by an unwillingness by users to reveal themselves publicly. Does it make it difficult for the average potential user to trust that Steemit and Steem is an above board platform when 90 percent of accounts are unwilling to show their face?
This is not a criticism of those that do not reveal their identities and if I had known more before joining, I might be a cartoon character too, maybe Astro Boy. This is just a question if it makes it difficult to trust the platform enough to join.
Considering there is currency involved and the reputation of crypto as being the preferred choice for drug dealers, gun runners and human traffickers (according to the news), does a social platform with very few human faces present to a non-crypto market a safe environment to share?
There are also other things to consider as the Steem blockchain grows and that is the attraction of investors large and small. Are you ready to hand your hard earned fiat over to people who you have never seen and do not know their real names?
Having currency attached to the platform makes it fundamentally different to a place like Twitter where egg-faced profiles troll and shill. It should make it more professional in nature as there is incentive to behave well yet, this doesn't always happen. Would this be different if people's accounts were tied to their real life? Would there be as many spammers, scammers and plagiarists?
As said, there are many reasons to remain anonymous but, most users here have other social accounts where they are not anonymous. An anonymous Facebook profile is a little useless really except for, well, those who are scamming in one way or another. This is the same for Instagram and Twitter where the most successful accounts are generally those who have a human face.
the world of crypto is largely a cloak and dagger industry where anonymity adds to the mystery but for a social platform looking to bring more than the traditional crypto community into the folds, is it detrimental?
And then, after potentially slowing down the integration of new users, it is highly unlikely that anonymity will remain in to the future anyway. Even for those that want to hide, the truth has an uncanny way of being brought to light in time. But, even more likely than being found is the desire to eventually reveal oneself.
For many here, there is a lot of future opportunity in developing businesses on the Steem blockchain but unless human nature changes considerably, they will be unable to open many doors without revealing themselves to someone eventually. And, once one reveal has been made, all of the digital precautions in the world are now redundant.
I have struggled to understand why so few people are willing to join and then struggle to understand why so many struggle. But, if you notice the accounts that do the best here from a rewards perspective, they are often one of two things. Either, early adopters who can remain hidden if they choose or, accounts that have come in and have a real face to them.
Is there benefit to being known, to having a face, to putting more skin in the game? Will it help people trust the platform when they see real people in the community? What are the risks of doing so? To go legit must we be willing to risk ourselves?
What if you revealed your identity?
This is a post for discussion purposes so hopefully people will bring in different perspectives and think about both sides of the coin instead of just the one they are currently on.
Taraz
[ a Steemit original ]
No 🙂
What a coincidence, I just wrote on this topic too.
I am pro-anonymity for many reasons but first and foremost is the idea of "need to know". Only share with people what they need to know, depending on the forum, the activity and the people.
You have to ask yourself what is your goal on Steemit? If it is to grow your personal brand then it is essentially a marketing exercise and it would be foolish to not link that to the other things you are doing, and thus to your brand.
If it is to simply hang out, meet new people and try out crypto, then there's no real reason to reveal your identity. The reason increases as you introduce your friends, etc., but for the casual observer there's no point to using the name on your birth certificate.
For me it's also about tracking. I don't agree with the way that the big advertisers (Google and Facebook being link in with the top ones) track you across websites, across social media, agregate and own information about you which they use to sell you things. There is also a personal risk to this, though it's unlikely to be relevant to most people, but I do not want to be a data point in the systems that are learning more and more how to manipulate us.
Nice point. So I guess from the other side I think that it is really great to have the vibe of being open, because it can go hand in hand with honesty. Not hiding your identity can be like saying, here I am, see me, I am who I say I am.
I agree that there is a problem with authenticity if people have multiple personalities, especially when they make money from them. I'd file that in the harmless deception category.
However for me the cons outweigh the pros by a long way.
I hate this ^
This is a big part of why many do not invite their friends (me included) as it is open, they see my bank account so to speak. This is highly unusual in the real world and speaking of money is a base trait in most circles unless it is about a lack of it.
This is another good point I bring up in different ways. If one wants to make significant returns, one has to see it as a business which likely means skin in the game (unless an early adopter) as trust is required. If however, like you say, it is a place to play and hang out only, there is no real need to forward information.
I have seen several times however people take deep offence to be asked to verify in some way that they are real before getting significant votes. In my opinion, if one wants income, one has to put themselves out there somehow unless there is a very good reason not to which in turn, would need verification.
It is too late for me to be Astro Boy...
I've considered this myself. I enjoy the fact that I am hidden from view as I am not really someone who enjoys having their photo taken or displayed under any circumstances. I am unde3r no illusion that in not showing my face that makes me anonymous. Perhaps to the average steemit user or man in the street but if anyone with a need to know wants to find out who I am and what I look like, I have no doubt they have the capacity to do so very easily. I also feel in some way that I should give those I am speaking to the respect of doing so face to face but ....what can I say? I'm not ready...yet. :)
The slightest error at any point is on the immutable blockchain. I do not think people are as careful as they think so if someone/thing really wanted to find a real identity, they will. Having said that, for the casual user, they are probably too lazy to search. Just don't become Prime Minister and you will be fine.
:) I can barely lead myself let alone a country. :)
Was Dr. Jekyll proud of Mr. Hyde? Would he mix those two lives together?
When you're anonymous you can post pretty much what you want. If you did so on your Facebook account you might depth charge your life. I've actually lost a friend because of something that I wrote that he didn't agree with. It was narrow minded of him in my opinion, but that's besides the point. I enjoyed his repartee and now it's gone.
Ever been to a costume party? One where everyone wears a mask? Did you notice how different people act, how much more aggressive or slutty or outgoing they are. I know I act differently with a mask on and I would bet most of us would.
Despite maintaining that Steemit is about quality content, it's really a popularity contest. If people don't agree with you then you aren't going to get the votes or the resteems and the whales will ignore you. If you hang your face out there you might not feel like saying what is in your heart or mind simply because you fear you won't be well received (and won't make any SBD). It's hard to be popular (win recognition) if people aren't resonating with your posts.
It boils down to what's important: saying what you think or kowtowing to the masses for lucre. I think you know where I'm coming from.
In the end, if @citizenzero crashes and burns, the real me will simply shovel some dirt over him, read his obituary and then adopt another persona, one that has learned from the mistakes CZ has made, one that has gotten it all off his chest, one who knows that opinion is out there for others to consider. Then maybe I'll write stuff that is less challenging, less personal, more insipid, more cryptokittenish and be popular. And who would ever know?
I think the mask problem is the same in mob mentality. Those who would never act in such a way normally are masked by the actions of the group. Is this what is in their hearts? The internet has the same form, a troll feels safe behind the mask but I am sure would be much less willing to say it to someone's face, in fact, they would likely be ashamed at their own behaviour if they acted so IRL.
To me they are opposites. Mob mentality is not wanting to be different for fear of standing out from the crowd. A mask lets you be yourself without others knowing who you are.
I had a friend that maintained that when people dressed up at Halloween, they were expressing their true desires. She always dressed up as a princess. She married a millionaire. Her friend, a gay man, used to always dress up as a girl. I used to dress up as a hobo. True or not, it's a small amusement to me at costume parties at Halloween.
Trolls are boors. I doubt they are much different in person, though they might hold their tongue to keep from getting a punch in the nose. I'm pretty sure most of them are drunk when they post their drivel. Shame requires self-reflection. I doubt they feel any shame.
I think to each their own, if you want to remain anonymous you should, but in my mind it will limit the connections you can make with the community in some regards. I plan on blogging on steem and will probably be somewhat personal, so I think it's good to have a name and face displayed to help foster that connection and build trust with my followers.
I can see the other side too, as there is money involved and revealing one's identity can be a security risk. And also because some people just want to remain anonymous, I can see how, from a social perspective, this would allow some people with anxiety, or personal and professional reasons, to truly speak their mind and produce content on their own terms without judgement on their character.
Nice topic
Good topic. The reason I am 'anonymous' on the internet, I mean I show my face but not my real name, even and maybe especially on Facebook is because we all know that a lot of social platforms sell these personal informations to companies, the NSA, etc.etc. So from the start I guarded my true identity. It is getting harder because everything is starting to connect with everything. What I don't like is the assumption that everybody who does not completely reveal every aspect of themselves is a criminal or up to no good. That idea is just stupid.
world seems to be all about the all might dollar .. So many wont show who they really are . Look at our politicians , Every tthing they do is for the hidden donors that keep them in office .. this week is a great example,, All for the wealthy while they try to make all believe its for the middle class ,, JOKE = they think were stupid .. and some of us are .. The rich get richer and the people behind it are all hidden donors. they wont step out in public ,, most wont any way .. Good post upvote from me
Hahahaha, now that was a true surprise. I did not see that coming. ;)
The Net is dark and full of terrors!
I chose anonymity because it allows me to share freely what I think, things I wouldn't share otherwise, but it's about privacy, not fear of whatever authorities tracking me down. Since I used my main mail account to join Steemit, I have no doubts my profile can be linked to me.
On the other hand, even without using a real name, people will start seeing you as a real person as you share more and more things about yourself. If you're posts come across as truthful, if you make use of your life experience, you will be perceived as a real person, no matter what name you use, even Astro boy...
I think that on the question of identity, there are two different types of people: those who like being in a village, where everyone knows everything about you and you have to work to keep secrets and those who like being anonymous in a big city where you can blend in as you wish and have multiple parallel lives.
I know that I fall into the second type and enjoy Steemit for the anonymity. I find myself censoring myself on Facebook, which has a village mentality. Because I am my 'verified' self on Facebook, I get contacted by all sorts of people who think that they know me. They don't.
I find the banality of the mostly crap stuff that gets shared all over facebook annoying, very few people actually make an effort posting on facebook, whereas here, there are plenty who do. I think that Facebook has very little to engage with intellectually, unless you join specific communities. The financial incentive here mostly stops people from being lazy.
Most people are not here to build a brand, just post content and maybe earn some money doing it. I have actually built brands online and I'm enjoying the anonymity of steemit to create a different project. Of course we curate the personas we project, some of us enjoy having an interchangeable variety. I have learned that I am a little too multifaceted for most people to relate to easily.
On Facebook it bugs me when people encounter me in one setting and then send me friend requests, assuming that because we have the group issue in common, we should be friends they want to know all about me and will not get upset by the rest of me. I have upset many of these with my dark humour and 'don't give a shit' brand of atheism and I defriend plenty of people who rant about various topics, especially politics and religion. It's not like I do anything here that is controversial but for a variety of reasons, I have a very strong 'mind your own business' approach to the people around me.