Internet Identity

Part of me struggles with keeping my real name as a part of my user name. Just the other day, one of my Customs babies told me that they found me on this thing called Serendip.

!!RED FLAG!!

That was my first thought. I felt "found out". Stumbling over my words, I tried to explain that it was for class, my posted opinions solicited by the requirements of academia, so on. She responded with silence -- politely listening to my ramblings. And it was her silence that tipped me off to something. I had nothing to be ashamed of, nothing on Serendip that warranted my sudden reaction. Every thought here is something that I would feel comfortable sharing off the net, too. 

I'd considered changing my name to something more obscure since the beginning of the semester, but I realize now that that is unnecessary. I'm not ashamed of what I have to say, and I don't feel as though my privacy is breached by allowing non 360-ers to read it. By detaching my name, I would be in a way stifling my own voice. 

My picture, however, is a different story. Last year in ESem I used a picture of myself as my avatar exclusively. I can't pinpoint why but I feel like this is a bridge I don't particularly want to cross yet. Maybe in the future, but not yet. Instead, I've chosen a picture of the nametag I use during my summer job. For months at a time I am addressed by something other than my real name (Saffy). For this reason it has become almost as defining and natural as my real name. So, by choosing this avatar I am also choosing to give a big part of me to you all. My two identities have never come into contact before, so let's see how it goes!