Anonymity on TLS Forum

[vexion]

So what are the primary reasons people try so hard to maintain anonymity on TLS? Never revealing what school they go to, or their UG, or their firm, if that's the case...

Is it because you don't want firms to see what you've written and draw conclusions? Because you don't want classmates to know what you think about them? Or am I glancing over the obvious here?

[Birdman]

Well, one reason I can think of is that there are people who act like dicks here and they probably wouldn't want future employers or schools to find out what they say.

[Dustin.]

Maybe some people are modest and don't want to seem like they are bragging about their accomplishments(or lack thereof).

[phoenix323]

Well, one reason I can think of is that there are people who act like dicks here and they probably wouldn't want future employers or schools to find out what they say.

+1

[maudlinstreet]

Well, one reason I can think of is that there are people who act like dicks here and they probably wouldn't want future employers or schools to find out what they say.

+1. I don't feel like I'm very anonymous, but I don't really care since I don't think I've ever said anything on here that would get me in trouble with future employers. I remember when I used to act like a dick online... back when I was 13....

[Renzo]

Well, one reason I can think of is that there are people who act like dicks here and they probably wouldn't want future employers or schools to find out what they say.

This. While I try not to be an overt dick, I also realize I am creating a permanent public record of everything I say. I don't necessarily want every off-hand comment I make to be instantly searchable by strangers, employers, etc. I am not exactly secretive; most everyone knows where I go to school, two people actually know who I am IRL, and about a dozen others could either ask those two or out me with a little bit of research. But I'm not worries about real acquaintances 'outing' me, I just don't want the whole world judging every snarky post.

[Z3RO]

I have to imagine that once I'm actually IN school, I'll be able to stop posting here.

So no danger.

[Thirteen]

Well, one reason I can think of is that there are people who act like dicks here and they probably wouldn't want future employers or schools to find out what they say.

Because of this, I try not to act like an ass when I post. I'm sure that it won't be hard to figure out my identity in the fall, and don't want people to think I'm a d-bag or prick.

[vexion]

I remember when I used to act like a dick online... back when I was 13....

I try not to act like an ass when I post.

I'm getting mixed messages...

[maudlinstreet]

I remember when I used to act like a dick online... back when I was 13....

I try not to act like an ass when I post.

I'm getting mixed messages...

huh?

[vexion]

See, it's a joke, cause the guy's name is Thirteen, and...

[maudlinstreet]

See, it's a joke, cause the guy's name is Thirteen, and...

hahaha, oh! that took me a second to comprehend. nice

I thought you were calling me a dick for a second, so I was really confused.

[lawschoolstudent85]

.

[Cupidity]

This seriously happened, and this is why anonymous is sometimes important.

I'm a 0L, and I posted in a thread asking a question about a particular V100 firm that I had a question about, because it was hosting an admitted students reception....simple enough, right? A few days later I googled the same firm to find out the location....result number 4 was the TLS thread. Now I don't think hiring partners are going to spend their time searching through TLS forums... but when response 4 on the firms name is MY thread, there is a chance they might see it. There are many other things I say on TLS that wouldn't reflect well on me that I don't want them noticing.

[OperaSoprano]

I am of the belief that adcoms read this board. Keep that in mind.

Yes. My admissions office figured out my identity without too much trouble. Honestly, though, I think being non-anonymous keeps me from saying whatever pops into my head. If everyone posted as if others knew who they were, a lot of the drama on here could be avoided. My lack of anonymity has never hurt me in any way that I can point to, and some people theorize that it helped get me here. The only caveat is that I can't go raving or ranting about my grades, or about anything else that isn't common knowledge offline. The decision not to be anonymous allowed me to meet tons of amazing people through TLS, so I have no regrets.

[Danteshek]

I don't see any need to be anonymous. Many forums require real names. TLS would be a better place if it did.

[Doritos]

The more I have posted the less anonymous I've become haha. 1L hasn't even started and multiple people know who I am. I am in the same boat with OS. I don't mind people knowing who I am because I've been able to meet some cool people through this fun little forum. I just have to watch what I say because you never know who's reading these boards.

[kalvano]

I don't say anything online I wouldn't say in real life.

If someone wants to wade through 1700 posts, more power to them.

[legalease9]

Privacy is an illusion. Especially online. Expecting privacy in any internet situation is just asking for trouble.

[Luis Gomez]

I use my real name as my user name and have right now even have a (blurry) pic of myself as my avatar. Being yourself online prevents you from developing an alternate nasty personality in this site.

[holydonkey]

I am a donkey irl.

[TheBigMediocre]

I am a donkey irl.

I am mediocre irl.

[Danteshek]

I don't see any need to be anonymous. Many forums require real names. TLS would be a better place if it did.

I could not disagree with this statement more. Everyone would lurk, most people would be afraid of asking "stupid" questions, and nothing would be funny, ever.

It's possible to be funny and not be a jerk. I would like to see more mature discourse on TLS.

[OperaSoprano]

I use my real name as my user name and have right now even have a (blurry) pic of myself as my avatar. Being yourself online prevents you from developing an alternate nasty personality in this site.

This. If I wouldn't say it to my mom, the head of my admissions office, and everyone in my section, I don't post it here. That's what PMs are for, lol.

[clintonius]

I am a donkey irl.

This is the single best case for anonymity made in this thread.