Pseudonyms or real names (geekfeminismdotorg.wordpress.com)

submitted 8 hours ago* (last edited 8 hours ago) by ManualOverride@slrpnk.net to c/hackers@slrpnk.net

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Here's an article written by skud arguing against someone on Hacker News who suggested usage of real names be enforced.

Skud has written extensively on the subject, and has been cited all over the place. Notably, they're mentioned in this EFF article:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2011/07/case-pseudonyms

And they're cited by this Op Ed published in the Communications of the ACM:

https://cacm.acm.org/opinion/the-politics-of-real-names/

I'm reminded of that Hackers (1995) quote:

I need a handle, man. I don't have an identity until I have a handle.

What's you opinion on the matter? Do you think everyone should be using pseudonyms for security? Do you think it'd be better that everyone use their real names online? Why or why not?

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[-] poVoq@slrpnk.net 3 points 7 hours ago

Even if you use your real name, the online persona remains an artificial presentation and using a handle for that reduces the likelyhood that people confuse it with the actual person.

[-] ManualOverride@slrpnk.net 1 points 3 hours ago

In a sense, a handle is like a core part of a hacker's personal brand.

this post was submitted on 04 Mar 2026

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