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Hidden identities

ieva

This is probably more of a question to admins, but also I'm wondering(as we usually do), is it just me?

I love this forum; I really do, yet it bugs me that I'm not allowed to use my real name and photo.  Since finding out that I'm autistic and that I have spent most of my life masking, it is crucial for my well-being to be my raw self and not use masks. 

I do understand the reasoning behind these forum rules, yet considering that we are all adults in here, I believe we should have a choice to reveal our true identity or not. Since the very important step to learning to live with autism is to stop masking. 

I would truly appreciate the input from the community, which I think I like a lot x

Just wanted to add that if we are considered as being a vulnerable community, shouldn't our forum conversations be viewed by registered members only?

[image removed by mod - Rule 2]

Parents

  • So if you really are interested in opening up more about your private life to other Autistics online, we do have direct messaging on this forum. I’ve heard the mods have the ability to monitor DMs, but they’re unlikely to unless a user were to allege misuse of the service (such as someone harassing you through messages). Doing that would allow you to be “fully yourself,” yet also a bit safer.

    However again, even though it’s been proven there are wonderful, empathetic people on this forum, even among Autists there are horrible human beings. You are making a risk sharing personal information even with someone via private chats if you do not absolutely know who they are.

    For all you know, I could be a hacker that is posing as an innocent Autist to target vulnerable folk for identity theft. Yeah, my bio says I’m a 35 year old former professor in America, but do I have to tell the truth about that?

  • in reply to profdanger
    profdanger said:
    So if you really are interested in opening up more about your private life to other Autistics online

    That’s not the point. All I would like is to have a choice about using my real first name and my own face. It is not about revealing deep personal secrets, since it would not be wise to do on a forum which is accessible to anyone who cares to look it up.

  • in reply to ieva

    Okay, that makes sense. And I’ll admit that is far less dangerous than what I was imagining. I suppose my thinking snowballed from a slippery slope fallacy and equated showing your face and name with giving way more personal info.

    Ultimately I personally disagree and still believe that is a bit too risky for me to do, but I understand why that would be important for you.

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  • in reply to ieva

    Okay, that makes sense. And I’ll admit that is far less dangerous than what I was imagining. I suppose my thinking snowballed from a slippery slope fallacy and equated showing your face and name with giving way more personal info.

    Ultimately I personally disagree and still believe that is a bit too risky for me to do, but I understand why that would be important for you.

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