2.06.05: A Case of Identity ‹ Blog

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.
Epictetus

A Case of Identity

February 6, 2005

Two important things to discuss today, one of which I can’t discuss. Let me clarify: Thing #1 is, like, totally personal and all, and because of that I’m not going to go spreading it around the internet for you goons to find on Google. No, I’m gonna make you goons work for it: drop me a line via the commenting form below and let me know that you want the poop. (Extra points if you actually use the words “poop.”) Then you’ll get the private entry sent to your e-mail account, where you can read it at your leisure and then send me advice on how to deal. Thing #2 is, like Thing #1, totally personal and not appropriate for the internet, but I’ve already broken some neural connections in my brain by censoring Thing #1, so here goes with Thing #2.

See, I’m going to be starting an online business soon. No, I’m not telling you what it is; that secret will come out soon enough. The thing is, I’m starting to entertain wonderings that I swore I’d never even let past my mental threshold: I’m wondering if this site (DS.com) is going to be a handicap. Ever since I opened up this site, I’ve made it a point not to censor myself; I’m not ashamed of myself, my opinions, or my silly-ass writings, and I’m more than happy to tack my full name onto everything I’ve ever published on here. I haven’t been blatantly obscene or said anything terribly shocking. In fact, I like to think that I’ve conducted myself very well in the years I’ve been online. I was never ashamed to have relatives look at the site, or terrified that a significant other would stumble across DS.com via my e-mail sig—this is my personal portfolio, and I’ve never said anything here that I would hesitate to say out loud in a crowded public place. (Well, except maybe the word “hijacking,” which has appeared on this site a few times, and which I would probably not say on a plane. I remember being on planes when I was little, unable to keep myself from saying the words “Skyjacking. Hijacking. Skyjacking,” over and over, just to see what would happen to me, with my mother hissing at me to be quiet. But I digress.)

But now that I’m planning a career that will be conducted mostly over the internet, I’m wondering if I shouldn’t have, say, picked a pseudonym to cover my tracks. The chances that a client would actually take the time to Google my name is slim, slim to the point of nonexistent, but still... it’s possible. And even if they like my site, agree with my views, link me on their own pseudonymed blog, they might not want someone so... openly opinionated to provide them with the services they seek. As a self-employed freelancer, I’m not so afraid of being “dooced” as I am of people failing to hire me at all.

Like I say, the possibility is remote. But it got me to thinking—is it time for a fresh start? Should I open a new site, under a new name, for my more personal pages? I’d keep this domain, of course—it could be a fanlisting collective, a hosting domain, a writings archive, whatever. But maybe I should have a separate domain for the more personal info, like my journal and my facts sheet. If I went that route—IF—I’d let y’all know about the new domain (in a somewhat roundabout way, probably). It’d still be fairly simple to trace the link between the two sites, I’m sure, but I wouldn’t be aiming for complete anonymity—just throwing a wrench into the background-snooping process.

I’m still debating the pros and cons, but I do have a domain name and pseudonym in mind. Heck, I could even buy the domain and set myself up for a few months, see how it goes, then let the DS.com readers know where to find me.

So. What do you think I should do? Should I split my personality, or stiffen my upper lip and stick with this domain? Got any ideas I haven’t mentioned here? Do drop me a line via the form below—I could use some friendly reader advice. (I’ll even give you a heads-up on the potential new domain!)