On the Psychology of Blogger Identity
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Just want to share a comment I left on Taylor the Teacher’s blog. I don’t think Taylor took my flip post questioning her gender ungraciously, but at the same time found the fact that such a gesture surprised her a bit of food for thought. Here:
This is all so interesting - not sure if it’s a tempest in a teapot, or no tempest at all, since you, Taylor, seemed to take the play overall as a good sport in your post.
But the reactions, and the afterthoughts, are, again, interesting. Lots of psychology and “rhetorical triangle” stuff to think about.
For example, the “persona,” in choosing a playful game of hide-and-seek by choosing anonymity, invites (arguably) the same sort of playfulness, by that choice, from his/her audience. So if it comes as something uncomfortable for the author, when that happens, that’s interesting. I’m not evaluating or judging here - just noticing the interesting dynamics, psychologically.
Then there’s the psychology of blogging when you use your real identity. This has made me think of that too. Because I blog with my own name, my photo, and a fairly self-revealing style, I’ve been unconsciously assuming that readers “know” me. But that’s a flawed assumption because there’s no telling how many readers actually follow my blog regularly. So when I assume that my readers, since they “know” me, will take yet one more playful post in the spirit it was meant (and again, no intention here to imply that you didn’t, Taylor, since that doesn’t seem to be the case), I’m open to my own discomfiting discovery that some might take it otherwise.
It’s all funny.
Unlike Ken, I, as a writer and reader, love the possibilities inherent in a “nom-de-keyboard.” It goes back to Nietzsche, Foucault, even Derrida (when I could stomach him), and the whole “masks” meme they loved so much.
It seems to me there is a freedom in anonymity, in writing behind a mask, that allows for the expression of ideas far more dangerous and (buzzword alert) “disruptive” than is possible when we attach our name.
And that also allows for surreal forms of play with gender, age, and other markers that again, set my imagination on fire.
We should be careful, if we choose anonymity, that our identity is airtight, though. I discovered last week or so that a simple “whois” inquiry reveals everything about the site and URL owner, down to address and phone number. This is preventable, but only if you know to do it.
Anyway, thanks for the ride. Fun so far. Happy thanksgiving.
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Born and raised in the face-to-face era, having matured in the “tell it like it is” sixties, I’ve always been leery of mis-representing myself online.
Though I don’t knowingly choose unflattering photos, I try to be sure that what my online readers and friends see is, basically, what you get in “real” life.
I understand that many people construct avatars to express their inner selves, and I respect that need and that creativity. But somewhere in my hopeful heart, I harbor the desire to one day connect with my cyber colleagues in true time, and I’d like their reaction to be “How funny/kind/perceptive she is!” rather than “Oh, is That her?”
Personal hang-up, I know, but part of what makes me the funny/kind/perceptive person I am!
[Reply]
diane
24 Nov 07 at 7:02 am
I really do love this conversation, and there really is no tempest here, in Taylor’s lair. And honestly, it’s my job, and the fact that I intended to tell the truth about it that forced the pseudonym.
That, and the fact that my former roommate and I used to write funny letters from Barbie, pose her with different objects, and put her around the house for our other roommates to find.
[Reply]
Taylor
24 Nov 07 at 11:07 am
Taylor,
I understand the need for some level of anonymity when discussing job-related issues; I think very carefully about what I’m willing to discuss in a public forum.
“Anonymous” bloggers like you and the Annoyed Librarian, to name just a few, offer a refreshing and clear-eyed look at the less-than-perfect aspects of working in a school and/or library.
Bless both of you for your frank and uncensored postings!
diane
[Reply]
diane
24 Nov 07 at 11:16 am
I knew you were a good sport, O Taylor.
I’d be interested, again from a psychological angle, to read what exactly your reaction was to the suggestion you might not be a woman.
Because there are “unconscious assumptions” galore about our own writing, voice, style, etc, and apparently, about gender in all of those. Like some sort of gender dna in writing style.
I’m not making sense. I have a stack of papers and Ning forums (or, prissily, “fora”) to plow through.
Anyway, thanks for dropping in.
[Reply]
Clay Burell
24 Nov 07 at 4:27 pm
Actually, Clay, that’s not the first time this has happened. There were a couple of people early on who linked to me and mentioned that they couldn’t tell if I was male or female, and one just called me a male unquestioningly. The name Taylor can be male or female, I guess, but I’d have thought the doll at the top of the page would clarify.
It honestly doesn’t matter to me at all. But, if there was any doubt, maybe today’s post will clear it up!
[Reply]
Taylor
2 Dec 07 at 5:51 am