I have a friend who recently started an OS blog. I won't tell you his name. Unfortunately, he is using his real name. AND his recent picture.
I already gave this advice to my friend, who ignored it. I now give it to anyone who reads this. PLEASE don't ever use your real name or picture on a blog.
A few years ago, I did that. I didn't know any better. I lost a job because of it. My blog wasn't sexual or political. It seemed innocent to me. But it had my real name and photo on it, so it scared my employer. Because I had a blog (any kind of blog) I was a security risk. I was fired for having it (for having had it) even though I deleted it in its entirety and then canceled the account.
I learned the hard way; you don't have to. OS is wonderful. Everyone, jump in the pool and blog. But please, for the sake of your financial and/or academic future, PLEASE use a pseudonym and a fake picture (if you use one at all).
This has been a PSA from Eva T!
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Comments
The other thing you can do, if you start from the beginning, is to develop a public persona of your real name that simply does not talk about your personal life. I've been on the net 32 years and had already been on it for 27 in 1994 when the web became suddenly popular, so I was careful about what I exposed about myself. I try to always write about things I'm willing to be quoted about later, which is a lot of work when one is as opinionated as I am. I also try to be careful about employers and friends and others I could need to depend on, not to say bad things about them, not to expose personal data. So for people who are determined to use their own name, looking to strategies like that are good. Once you've said something publicly, it's hard to take back. Even things that get removed tend to hang around. See the Wayback Machine at archive.org for an example.
As Kent said, it is very important that you consider what you say "in print" if your name is going on it. I do wish that everyone would be thoughtful in what they write, even if they are anonymous, though. I think some people (I do not mean you!) feel free to be rude, cruel, insensitive, etc., when they would not be that way if their identity was known. Write as if your identity is public, would be my advice to all.
Emma: I've seen your real picture. I like the look of real you, 'though am glad you're still being somewhat cautious.
Leonde: Would your employer like to hire me?
But at least the rest of you don't! :D
littleboxofspoons: like you, I have friends and relatives (including my mother, the blogger known as Rosycheeks) who read this blog regularly. Because I know they're present, I do self-censor a bit but not much.
A-Muse: Your glamour shot is rather abstract but you've also posted regular pictures of yourself (that dance performance you did with your student, for instance). I enjoy seeing them but do think twice if you suspect that it could put any of your real life job stuff in jeopardy.
Divorce Bard: I'm sorry!
I write carefully, meaning I don't give out information as much as I try to give out the feeling of the incident I am writing about.
Still, maybe I should put a picture up of a cat or something...
Thanks for making me think about this._r
I guess it's a subtle difference. You only have my word (the word of a person whose real name you don't know) that my posts are true stories from my life; that I'm using the pseudonym to give me the freedom to write somewhat personal stuff. You could care about me and then find that there's no "me" to care about.
Anyway...believe it or not, there's a real human behind "Eva," writing about genuine experiences. For what they're worth...
In terms of expectations regarding OS persona, I don't harbor such. There is no rule about blogger integrity--only standards emerging from rates and so forth. I'm uninvested in blogger society in that way--mainly because of the risks you identify. I am not identified, likewise, with being perceived in any way in particular. Therefore, I am rarely offended by any occasional personal slight. It doesn't really exist, for me. And yet, I find myself far less involved in virtual smackdowns than many others who rail about them with frequency around here...curious!
Would this be different if I used my real name/face. Most likely yes because I would be very invested in that persona (yes, real names/faces are personas!). Any slight would be greatly felt and need amending. But it's silly because the blogging here is (mostly) forgettable writing. Transient. Ephemeral. Everybody should relax and have fun. "Serious" writers, if they are here on OS, need to be mindful to steer clear of its nefarious social BS.
I have wrestled with this ever since I started blogging. Unfortunately as my bipolar disorder ebbs and flows, I make different decisions, use different pseudonyms. At the very worst time, when I am manic, I decide to come out of the closet. At least I have only disclosed my maiden name, not my married name.