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A Note on Pseudonymity

by: elwood

Sun May 25, 2008 at 08:36:30 AM EDT
I choose to post under the pseudonym 'Elwood' rather than under my real-world name. This practice has a long tradition in American politics, going back at least to the writings of Poor Richard, Silence Dogood, Cincinnatus, and Publius.

Pseudonymity is clearly not appropriate when a poster is asking readers to accept his assertions based on claims of special knowledge - whether that is special knowledge about what is REALLY going on in a campaign or in the State House, or special knowledge about how (for example) apple orchard economics are affected by the property tax. I don't post that sort of stuff. Instead I try to link to all the sources a reader needs to accept or reject my positions, and offer opinions that stand or fall strictly on what I argue in the post itself.

In the real world I have an employer and I don't want my own political postings to be somehow associated with that company. It is not a lobbying firm and has no interest in New Hampshire politics, and no more interest in national politics than the average company.

I'm posting this diary so I can link to it in my profile - it's too long to fit in the Bio section.
elwood :: A Note on Pseudonymity
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A Note on Pseudonymity | 8 comments
Well said, elwood. n/t (4.00 / 1)


Wonder if Sununu's fired now.
Funny (4.00 / 1)
I thought Elwood WAS your real name!

I have similar reasons for anonymity: http://www.bluehampshire.com/s...

But hey, in the same thread in which your credibility was challenged, you both defended and criticized the state party. That takes a certain independence of thought.


Wouldn't it be remarkable if any human institution (0.00 / 0)
was only worthy of praise, or only worthy of criticism?

[ Parent ]
It would be remarkable (0.00 / 0)
And dull!
[ Parent ]
Swift Boat Veterans for Truth? (0.00 / 0)

[ Parent ]
Well, they ARE veterans (0.00 / 0)
and their spelling is generally accurate...
[ Parent ]
The members are. (0.00 / 0)
What has the institution ever done that was good?
[ Parent ]
purpose (0.00 / 0)
One of the main purposes of setting up a corporation--an artificial person--is to evade and distribute personal responsibility.  Which is why it is a mistake to grant to corporations the same rights as a natural person and an even greater mistake not to hold the corporation accountable for satisfying the purposes claimed in its charter.
There is a slight movement afoot to revoke the charters of corporations which violate ethical standards.
[ Parent ]
A Note on Pseudonymity | 8 comments
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