Explain Your Ricochet Handle
We had a long conversation a few weeks ago about whether people on Ricochet should have pseudonymous handles, or whether full disclosure requires us to use our real names. I, for one, understand why some want to remain anonymous (work, relatives, bill collectors, and on and on).
What I'd like to know is why you chose your handle and what it means (I'm talking to you Western Chauvinist, Sawatdeeka, Fredosphere, Mama Toad, FreeWifiDuringSermon, Crow's Nest, and Pseudodyonisius--and many others). [Natalie and Fred Cole: I think you're exempt from this one; unless, of course, you're trying to fake us out with a name that appears to be the real one].
I'll go first. I really don't care if people know my real name (Ted Smith), but I like my handle. The symbolism of a blank slate can cut both ways (Am I conceding my stupidity? Or am I touting my willingness to learn new things despite my advanced age?) You be the judge. I also like the irony of my avatar: a blank slate that isn't really blank because it has "blank slate" written on it. Actually, I chose my handle for the most mundane of reasons: because I like Latin phases and that one sounded cool (when you go through life named "Ted Smith," you yearn for something a bit jazzier).
Finally, as I pointed out a week or so ago, I got a direct shout-out from Charles Krauthammer. This was a feature of my handle that was completely unintended. [Yes, I am trying to get you to link to my personal Dr. K shout-out: I'd like to extend my 15 minutes of fame another 15 minutes].
And, by the way, I'm reading a book by the great English social commentator Theodore Dalrymple entitled Second Opinion. Lo and behold, I ran into this sentence (Dalrymple was criticizing the English education system):
“[S]chools round here leave the tabula of the human mind strictly rasa.”
So, two shout-outs in as many weeks (we'll ignore the fact that Dalrymple actually wrote his book in 2006). What's keeping George Will from entering the fray?
So, even if you have a less famous, less "elite" handle than mine, tell us why you chose it and what it means.
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Comments:
Jun '12
Re: Explain Your Ricochet Handle
If you don't like the way I drive, stay off the sidewalk! ;)
Sep '10
Re: Explain Your Ricochet Handle
I joined Ricochet two years ago, and at the time I was reading and thinking a lot about privacy and the benefits of public sharing. I'm a big fan of Jeff Jarvis, whacked-out lefty though he may be. And I've come to believe that it's important that I never do anything on the internet that I wouldn't want my Mom to see. So there I am, open book.
Jul '10
Re: Explain Your Ricochet Handle
J.Voss: I sort of 'grew up' in the internet age and the most original lesson that I can recall from that experience is to never use your real name on the internet. Some habits die hard.
-Patrick C. · 2 hours ago
Oh dear...
Jul '11
Re: Explain Your Ricochet Handle
barbara lydick
J.Voss: I sort of 'grew up' in the internet age ...
-Patrick C. · 2 hours ago
Oh dear... · 1 minute ago
Not for sinister reasons, I assure you (and Tabula, saw your reply earlier). My parents insisted that my sister and I be safe online, thus the rule.
Feb '12
Re: Explain Your Ricochet Handle
tabula rasa
Didn't know that. My name is not Ted Smith--it's really Christopher Bowen or Joe Brown.
or Joe Biden...
Edited on August 23, 2012 at 12:13amAug '10
Re: Explain Your Ricochet Handle
Mine's easy. It's my name :)
I'm with Steven above. Using my name keeps me more honest in what I might be willing to say/share.
Edited on August 22, 2012 at 11:42pmMar '11
Re: Explain Your Ricochet Handle
Casey pronounces Pseudodionysius "Puh-seudodionysius".
Apr '11
Re: Explain Your Ricochet Handle
My real first name is Douglas (and I prefer "Douglas" to "Doug"). My story begins back about 12 years ago when I'd recently moved back to Oregon from Minneapolis, MN. My sister and brother-in-law had their second daughter, and I was enjoying being a proud uncle. When the first was born, I called to congratulate my sister, and to inform her that I claim the title of Crazy Uncle.
I'd been about several game forums at the time, and used "Crazy Uncle Douglas" or some form of that since then. In recent years, I've joined several discussion forums such as these, and preferred a name a little more serious, yet still wanting to keep a modicum of anonymity. Thus I shortened it to "C. U. Douglas." It makes me look respectable.
Since then, I've noted there have been other CUDouglases lurking about various websites. Accept no imitaitons!
If people ask if they can shorten my name further, I tell them "CUD" is acceptable. Mostly I do it because I like to think people say, "I read CUD's posts again and again," or "CUD's posts really give you something to chew on!"
Apr '11
Re: Explain Your Ricochet Handle
I *was* Aquozha until recently.
It was an adaptation of a friend's name. She is from Ghana and called me "Madamfo" but I liked her native name better "Akousia Menu" and the first part was pronounced phonetically like my old alias.
My current posting name means "leader of ten sea going warriors", but I'm not a Marine, nor have I ever served in any military force.
my first name IRL means "Famous Spear", a very bellicose name overall. ;-)
Jul '10
Re: Explain Your Ricochet Handle
I've been using this handle online in so many places for so long it never occurred to me sign up with a real name. I'd agree with J.Voss, if you're of a certain age, you were told early on not to use your real name online, and it's kind of stuck.
The name comes from a line from a Johnny Cash song "Drive On": I got a friend named Whiskey Sam...
Jun '10
Re: Explain Your Ricochet Handle
Take a guess.
I hope the Estate of E.H. Shepard doesn't sue me for violation of Fair Use.
But they probably will...
May '10
Re: Explain Your Ricochet Handle
Mine's an unimaginative compromise between my aversion to evasions and dissimulation and fakery of any kind and my worries about exposing my kids to trouble because of my polemical habit of being. Also, my name last name (van Schaijik) is impossible for normal people to spell or pronounce.
So, you can call me Katie. Or Katie vS. Or katievs.
Mar '11
Re: Explain Your Ricochet Handle
Mine is my real name, in the naive belief that this is a walled garden, and I am among friends.
Jul '11
Re: Explain Your Ricochet Handle
Just random.
Mar '11
Re: Explain Your Ricochet Handle
As a business owner who sometimes has to deal with customers who themselves sell to the government, I'm not keen to advertise my name or likeness, especially given our current regime's penchant for "outing" foes.
But "Skippy" was an unfortunate nickname, as was "Sully" in the distant past - conflating the two got me a handle that is available wherever I go.
Mar '11
Re: Explain Your Ricochet Handle
Nicknames aside, your avatar is just cool by itself.
Whiskey Sam: I've been using this handle online in so many places for so long it never occurred to me sign up with a real name. I'd agree with J.Voss, if you're of a certain age, you were told early on not to use your real name online, and it's kind of stuck.
The name comes from a line from a Johnny Cash song "Drive On": I got a friend named Whiskey Sam... · 7 minutes ago
Feb '11
Re: Explain Your Ricochet Handle
When you sign up for Ricochet, the registration form advises that for your pseudonym, you should "use common sense and good judgment." So, being the literal minded geek that I am...
In my defense, I never thought I'd ever post anything--I just wanted to support the site and see the lawtalk podcast. Now that I've started (occasionally) writing posts and commenting on others, I am beginning to regret my little joke.
May '10
Re: Explain Your Ricochet Handle
"With a name like Smuckers... "
Well, I wish I had thought of it.
Mar '11
Re: Explain Your Ricochet Handle
I wanted a name that both expressed my faith and my skepticism, and one that expresses where I place my money in Pascal's Wager.
Jun '10
Re: Explain Your Ricochet Handle
common_sense_and_good_judgment: When you sign up for Ricochet, the registration form advises that for your pseudonym, you should "use common sense and good judgment." So, being the literal minded geek that I am...
In my defense, I never thought I'd ever post anything--I just wanted to support the site and see the lawtalk podcast. Now that I've started (occasionally) writing posts and commenting on others, I am beginning to regret my little joke. · 0 minutes ago
There are other virtues, but common sense and good judgment are good ones. Better that than "hedonism_and_smoking dope."