According to today's NY Times, in an age when private citizens are publishing blogs that have become a "critical source of news," the courts are being asked by Apple Computer to decide to whether or not bloggers should enjoy the same protections as mainstream journalists. In the past, the courts have extended latittude to journalists "in protecting the identities of confidential sources."
No matter what the cognomen of choice here on AO, there is a real person behind each one of us, right? So, let's drop the fancy acronyms and oh-so-funny nicknames for a minute: Who are you people? Or who am I, for that matter?
The virtual world is not the first of worlds to offer an opportunity to hide behind a made-up identity, but it certainly makes things much easier in that regard. But how do we go about constructing our various faces? And will people finally recognize our real face once we show them?
In the "real world" some might think they must define themselves by the clothes they wear; in the virtual world an extreme, if not sincere, opinion might just do the trick (perhaps to compensate for the lack of opportunity to present your very impressive looks?). But there is nothing real about either.
What is it then, that really defines who we are? Our affiliations... our strengths/flaws... the way we interact... our member profiles? I dare say it is all just a game of "dazzle or be dazzled". You may list your titles and professional achievements and still not say anything about yourself at all.
But when it comes down to it, what defines us are our relationships with others. And how we generally treat the people around us. You respect your boss not because he looks so damn authoritative in his suit, but because of the way he treats his "subordinates". And he won't feel truly in power just because he is dissing his staff. Quite on the contrary.
But before this turns into a mere matter of moral values, back to the main question: Do you still know who you are?
[I have no doubt that the diligent reader will soon know that I am no other than Yana, aka Christiane, aka "the fool who thought she could"...]
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Member Comments
Very interesting comments. Names of course, come from ancestry alot of times, but
also from the science of letters, and the meanings of names. So, haven't you ever
seen a baby that is named Rosemary, and ends up looking exactly like a Rosemary.
Which is to say, some parents pick the perfect name for their child, based on the
child's temperment, basic features, and that intuitive knowingness factor.
Oftentimes, our titles do define us. Windy the artist, sure got different responses than
Windy the CIO. But you find associations between the two. Have you ever noticed
people with many titles behind their name? They are proficient in many topics, and
professions. It would be hard to define such a person with so much honor, and ranking
just by the clothing styles he or she was wearing. Naturally, they would be recognized
by the most awesome aspect of their identity. For example, Osho had studied religions
in college. He wrote over 150 books total. His worth was often seen on his ability
to point to interesting perceptions, those that were a bit different than most people.
Often people view us completely different than what we are really. Often their first
opinion sticks. When I was young, my voice was often very mousy. Its hard for
anyone to accept the value of someone pushing major mindshift changes if that
person has a mousy voice. In that sense, the importance of getting everything in
sych. becomes the prerequisite.
We are to honor ourselves for what is most important to us. We want ultimately for
the world to look and see a similar messaging for how they perceive us, as how we
perceive ourselves. Going into that dimension is the meaning of human growth
and cognitive liberties. We have to be able to expand our consciousness to accept
a greater view of ourselves and the world and people around us
Well, I am Dutch. Holland has its cheese reputation but the variety is small though. And then, I live in France. De Gaule once said something like: "Do you know how difficult it is to rule a country with 270 different cheeses?"
Did you know the UK have over 700?
Oh, and did you know one of our (Hollands) most famous tourist products:
And hey, this was supposed to be self-reflective (not for me, though!!!)... or at least encourage people to do so... what's wrong with that? Of course, you'd never... "no, never in public, darling" :-)
you are attracted to the moldy scent, martinus...? that might require some explanation (or perhaps we shouldn't go there?)... :-)
thanks for answering these questions... there are still plenty of questions I didn't write down, though...
JEFF, I can see now why someone suggested that we are the same person: I am using a lot of these dots as well (not quite beating your usage level, though............................... :-)
- Can't be defined by my "network connections", can I?
Every little helps.
- .………there is a real person behind each one of us, right?
Yes, or behind each two or three of us.
- Who are you people?
Probably a lot of work remains to be done, if not all, once this thread has dried up.
- Or who am I, for that matter?
You are the one I think you are.
- But how do we go about constructing our various faces?
Prejudice, until the contrary demonstrates.
- And will people finally recognize our real face once we show them?
No, unless you've been describing a big scar all the time.
- What is it then, that really defines who we are? Our affiliations... our strengths/flaws... the way we interact... our member profiles?
For example. And, it’s the tortoise-hare race. When you move, your "opponent" just moved a bit. The biggest moves are in the beginning. You could get close, but you will never touch. It might be the base for mourning, when I think of it.
- You may list your titles and professional achievements and still not say anything about yourself at all.
Now really, Y++
Do you still know who you are?
Yes, the one you think I am.
And, as this very topic shows: others think different. I do think this topic has a slightly moldy scent though. That might explain it (i.e. me being attracted to it).
Bret, but WHAT does this say about? How does this define your personality? No seriously, do you foster your roots (that's just to ask whether they still have an influence to your life today...)
I am 100% Scandinavian (Finish and Swedish), great grandpa Carpenter didn’t make it through New York with a Russian sounding name in 1901 because of political odds with the country. However, I am one of those folk who really thinks his name fit him.
Carpeneski <~~ thats a joke i have no idea what the name was originally
The following brief summary describes only a few qualities of your first name. There are many additional factors (legal name, nicknames, family surname, combined names, previous names, business signature, and, very importantly, your inner potential or birthpath as determined from your date of birth) that create and mold your entire personality - and your entire life.
Although the name Y creates an interest in the deeper aspects of life, we emphasize that it limits self-expression and friendly congeniality with a moody disposition. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the heart, lungs and bronchial area.
The name of Y gives you a clever, quick, analytical mind, but you suffer with a great deal of self-consciousness, lack of confidence, and much aloneness because of misunderstandings. Your idealistic and sensitive nature gives you a deep appreciation for the finer things of life and a strong desire to be of service to humanity. There are times when you experience inner turbulence at your inability to say what you mean. It is far easier for you to express your deeper thoughts and feelings through writing than verbally. You find pleasure in literature, in poetry, and in your ideals and will turn to them when you feel you have been misunderstood. You are deeply moved by the beauties of life, especially nature.
I particularly like this, though: "The experience of having your remarks taken lightly or belittled, particularly during the early years of your life, has caused you to keep your thoughts and feelings to yourself. You do not express yourself spontaneously when conversing with others; hence other people may often regard you as being aloof, and even unfriendly."
I have already read the exact same thing [someone must have shown me this before], but there you go, quite a discrepancy :-) but it makes up one and the same person... anyway, enough of that!!!
The following brief summary describes only a few qualities of your first name. There are many additional factors (legal name, nicknames, family surname, combined names, previous names, business signature, and, very importantly, your inner potential or birthpath as determined from your date of birth) that create and mold your entire personality - and your entire life.
Although the name Christiane creates the urge to be reliable and responsible, we emphasize that it limits self-expression and friendly congeniality with a moody disposition. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the heart, lungs, bronchial area, worry, and mental tension.
Your first name of Christiane has given you a rather quiet, reserved, serious, studious nature. You have sensitivity and appreciation for the finer and deeper things of life, the beauties of nature, music, art, and literature. The people who mean the most to you are those who can offer you intellectual companionship. It is only when you are among those who understand your deeper nature that you can really be yourself. The experience of having your remarks taken lightly or belittled, particularly during the early years of your life, has caused you to keep your thoughts and feelings to yourself. You do not express yourself spontaneously when conversing with others; hence other people may often regard you as being aloof, and even unfriendly.
yeah... they are, martinus... can't be defined by my "network connections", can I? what would they imply about me? you are free to make your mind up about me as we speak here :-)
I c... now, that's a formula I am almost certainly gonna forget within about a minute... my brain doesn't work with figures/numbers (logic?)... you know that, right?
It may be a lost cause. I took German in college to fulfill a foreign language requirement. There was a girl in the line at registration, so naturally, I got in line behind her to take the same class. Then she dropped it. Kinda lost my motivation, but I gutted out a "C".
Jeff, there is much to be said for a consistent persona, indeed, but that doesn't necessarily entail that we have to keep the same name, right? Still the same yana, though :-)
Well, let me know beforehand... you'll get some prime remote lessons, so you'll be prepared.... my German is much better than my English, if you can believe it :-)
http://www.martinluther.info/debates/
Better than I could tell it. And don't short yourself. Your English is better than a lot of the native speakers that post. But if I'm ever in Germany and a kid in preschool sneezes, I'm ready.
J, surely, no-one in their right mind would possibly presume that jeff and I are the same person, although at the time, we might have displayed a similar stance towards the very person you mention... anyway, I can assure you I am my very own person indeed :-)
I am not eloquent enough in English though. I used to be able to write proper articles in that language, but it doesn't seem to be my own anymore. So, where do your teutonic roots lie, though?
I watched the Luther movie the other day. It was totally skewed (in historical terms), but sort of gets you thinking nevertheless... want to tell more about that dustup?
Y+ I think I read someone's theory somewhere that you and [jch] were the same person! Harkens back to a classic Hitchcock movie, "Psycho". And who starred in "Psycho"? Ohh, don't go there!
(No, I'm not suggesting you're a psycho). Actually, your contributions have been some of the best stuff here for the past month or so. As a guy with a little teutonic heritage myself, I'm quite humbled at your ability to be so eloquent in English. Get past "gesundheit" and "kindergarten" in German, and I'm lost. I had a namessake that got in a bit of a dustup with Martin Luther a few hundred years ago. I think I'm still getting karmic fallout.
The following brief summary describes only a few qualities of your first name. There are many additional factors (legal name, nicknames, family surname, combined names, previous names, business signature, and, very importantly, your inner potential or birthpath as determined from your date of birth) that create and mold your entire personality - and your entire life.
While the name Yana creates the urge to create harmony with people, we call attention to the fact that it causes a restless intensity that defies relaxation. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the fluid systems, and solar plexus.
Your name of Yana creates a desire for association with people and new experiences, many of which have been rather bitter. This name has given you a gregarious personality and a quick-thinking, creative, and versatile nature, but one that is very emotional. You desire change and travel and would enjoy opportunities that allowed you to be creative and to act independently, rather than to conform to system and routine. However, this name does not allow you to complete your undertakings, as farther fields always look greener.
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