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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sb417 on February 3, 2004, at 22:33:35
Dr. Bob,
There is a post on Psychobabble, on the Medication Board, from someone using the screen name "Summer Sanders." Summer Sanders is the name of an Olympic swimmer. I don't know whether the real Summer Sanders has posted here or whether it is someone else using her name. What is your opinion about using someone else's name on PB? Summer Sanders is an unusual name. It's not like Jane Doe or John Smith. I don't think PB posters should misrepresent themselves by assuming someone else's identity.
Posted by Dr. Bob on February 5, 2004, at 2:46:02
In reply to Using celebrities' names, posted by sb417 on February 3, 2004, at 22:33:35
> I don't know whether the real Summer Sanders has posted here or whether it is someone else using her name.
Me neither...
Bob
Posted by alexandra_k on February 5, 2004, at 3:45:05
In reply to Re: Using celebrities' names, posted by Dr. Bob on February 5, 2004, at 2:46:02
Posted by alexandra_k on February 5, 2004, at 5:52:36
In reply to Heh heh :) (nm), posted by alexandra_k on February 5, 2004, at 3:45:05
oops. that probably didn't sound so good. i just had a mental image of signing on as Dr Bob II, or The Queen of England and writing all sorts of bizzare stuff. was laughing at that, thats all...
Posted by sb417 on February 5, 2004, at 20:07:04
In reply to Re: Using celebrities' names, posted by Dr. Bob on February 5, 2004, at 2:46:02
Dr. Bob,
Thanks for replying to me, but you didn't answer my question. Do you think it's OK for PB members to assume someone else's identity or to use someone else's name as a screen name? The poster I referred to might be the Olympic gold medalist, Summer Sanders, or she might, coincidentally, have the same name (an unusual name), or she might be using the Olympic swimmer's name as her screen name, or something else might be going on that I haven't thought of. I think that assuming someone else's identity should be prohibited on this site.
Posted by alexandra_k on February 6, 2004, at 5:57:26
In reply to Re: Using celebrities' names » Dr. Bob, posted by sb417 on February 5, 2004, at 20:07:04
>The poster I referred to might be the Olympic gold medalist, Summer Sanders, or she might, coincidentally, have the same name (an unusual name), or she might be using the Olympic swimmer's name as her screen name, or something else might be going on that I haven't thought of. I think that assuming someone else's identity should be prohibited on this site.
But then how is one supposed to know which is the appropriate situation unless one knows who she really is? Would you like it if Dr. Bob made sure you were really who you called your self on this site? Well you might, but I for one prefer my anonyminity. What does it matter anyway??? Would you think it justified if it turned out that that was indeed her real name? Should Dr. Bob breech her right to anomnity because you want to know if that is her real name or not. Sorry if I am just butting in but do you really perceive this to be a problem? Is she going on about how she took steroids to win her medal or something???
Posted by gabbix2 on February 6, 2004, at 10:49:05
In reply to Re: Using celebrities' names, posted by alexandra_k on February 6, 2004, at 5:57:26
I don't understand what the problem is either.
She's not trying to confuse anyone. She hasn't talked about how her depression is ruining her training for the olympics, it's not like she's
a troll or anything.
Posted by jane d on February 6, 2004, at 14:41:00
In reply to Re: Using celebrities' names, posted by gabbix2 on February 6, 2004, at 10:49:05
Most of us don't use them and when I see what appears to be a full name I always wonder if its a real name and, if it is, did the poster really knew the implications. I often suspect it is someone new to the internet who just hasn't learned about archives and search engines yet.
You could ask people not to use a last name when registering. They would still have the option of putting it in the body of the posts but at least they would have a chance to think about it first.
I worry that this sounds like it is giving in to the stigma surrounding mental illness. In a way it is. But that stigma is real and I don't like the idea of anyone unknowingly exposing themselves to it even if someday that might lead to a better world for the rest of us (who by and large are guarding our privacy very very carefully). Going public should be a conscious decision by people who know the stakes, not an accident.
Jane
PS I greatly admire the few people here who have made that choice.
Posted by gabbix2 on February 6, 2004, at 14:54:03
In reply to How about discouraging all last names?, posted by jane d on February 6, 2004, at 14:41:00
I think a warning about names and the search engines any is an excellent idea. I was completely nieve about those when when I first signed on here. I would most definitely have changed a few things myself if I'd known last year what I know now!
Posted by alexandra_k on February 6, 2004, at 18:53:04
In reply to Re: How about discouraging all last names?, posted by gabbix2 on February 6, 2004, at 14:54:03
When I signed up here I did indeed get stuff warning me not to use my real name, or if I had done so - then go 'oops' to bob and change it. The trouble is (in my experience) that for someone uncreative (like me) it takes a good half hour to find something sensible that hasn't been taken. I prefer Alex. Then Alex2, then ak, and it just goes on and ya get a bit annoyed... I don't see whats up with names. So long as its civil what does it matter?? It isn't like someone is trying to impersonate anyone else or say things that people would take to be true of the original. I just assume that everyone here has a fake name and dont worry bout it anymore.
Posted by gabbix2 on February 6, 2004, at 19:29:42
In reply to Re: How about discouraging all last names?, posted by alexandra_k on February 6, 2004, at 18:53:04
Oh, ya I forgot there was a warning about the names. I still wish I'd known about the search engines though, and that someone could just google my posting name and find all my posts.
Had I known that I would have changed my posting name last year after an 'incident'
Yeah, I don't really understand what the deal is with the names either.. if someone signed on as
Sylvester Stallone, I wouldn't be wondering if he was the "REAL" Sylvester Stallone. After a while you do go batty (er) just trying to find anything that hasn't already been chosen.
Posted by shar on February 6, 2004, at 23:18:52
In reply to Re: How about discouraging all last names? » alexandra_k, posted by gabbix2 on February 6, 2004, at 19:29:42
Well, I'd be very unhappy if someone used my whole name as their posting name. But, I guess there isn't anything to prevent it.
In fact, that would be a good way to get revenge on someone...use their whole name and post really weird, crazy stuff.
But, nobody here would ever do that, I'm sure!!!!!
Shar
Posted by jay on February 7, 2004, at 0:03:23
In reply to Re: How about discouraging all last names?, posted by shar on February 6, 2004, at 23:18:52
> Well, I'd be very unhappy if someone used my whole name as their posting name. But, I guess there isn't anything to prevent it.
>
> In fact, that would be a good way to get revenge on someone...use their whole name and post really weird, crazy stuff.
>
> But, nobody here would ever do that, I'm sure!!!!!
>
> SharWell..identity theft is very real...and I agree with Gabbix that even using a made-up name and having it show up over years in a search engine just doesn't feel "right". In many ways I wish Dr. Bob could have
made the boards a bit more secure from search engines, but I don't think, using the BBS system he does, that there is any way around it.IMHO..
Jay
Posted by gabbix2 on February 8, 2004, at 14:59:33
In reply to Re: How about discouraging all last names?, posted by shar on February 6, 2004, at 23:18:52
Hmm, Thanks for the idea Shar. That was quite creative. I'd never have thought of that! You know I think you're the best, but I'm going to be EXTRA nice to you from now on. : )
Seriously though, that is a good reason for
not using last names.
Posted by EscherDementian on February 12, 2004, at 7:22:40
In reply to Re: How about discouraging all last names? » shar, posted by gabbix2 on February 8, 2004, at 14:59:33
Well, i for one would not be making my point if i had to drop the 'Dementian' from EscherDementian.
It is a play on words meant to mean both sides of the slightly misspelled pun, and without it would simply not do. And be using another person's rl name. and a last name at that. Hhrumph.
If last names are requested to be dropped i will honour the Admin's decision, but request to namechange entirely to return to my original "Quixote".
Please let me know.P.S.
i never minded conversations with "Syd Barrett" (original member of PinkFloyd -Dark Side Of The Moon his opus and epitaph so to speak), whether it was 'really' him OR NOT...~just my 0.02
This is the end of the thread.
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