Should ATS members disclose our ages and professions

reply to post by UnknownPhilosopher


It would not uniformly bring more disrespect. On the contrary, those whose credentials and overall appearance seem authoritative, will receive more respect, while the opposite will receive less. For example, a Harvard professor might get more respect than an 2nd class porn star, even if the latter offers more.

All in all, I think it would be a bad idea for the above reason. People should be given respect or disrespect based on the content of their message, not the packaging that surrounds it. Thankfully the internet provides such an environment. Even if you post your credentials it's a different ballgame actually proving it.

reply to post by UnknownPhilosopher


Should ATS members disclose our ages and professions?



Sorry...couldn't resist !!

But I stand by it. No. ATS shouldn't disclose ANY information on it's members. But if a member chooses to do so, it's at his/her own discretion...and risks.

I believe it is best to post as little as possible about yourself. At the same time, I think when you post here you have to do so with the awareness that you might have to stand by what you post somewhere down the line. This is yet another good reason to avoid trolling and being foolish in general online.

Earlier this spring some personal info about me came out simultaneously on ATS and another large (non-conspiracy) board I'm a fan of. There was some awkwardness and embarrasment over a few things, but FORTUNATELY because I do not troll here or elsewhere, and take what I post on ATS seriously, nothing bad has come of it, and most people reading this probably don't even know what I'm talking about. The moral of the story: Post respectfully and seriously and if you really feel you have something that you wouldn't want traced back to you somehow, maybe this isn't the best place to say it. My two cents.

I don't think it should be required, but it would be interesting to find out that some off the good stuff here was concieved by a nobody sselling used cars in smalltown wherever. I talk a lot of crap about the incorporated states and its corrupt government. If they wanna find me, a fake pic, and lack of personal info isn't going to hamper them in the slightest. Btw, that avie is me. I am the face of dissatisfied gen-x-ers, and I'm not ashamed. I work my butt off, pay my taxes, and still chase the American dream, al the while knowing it has been dead and gone for years. I have hope, but it is fading. I won't stop voicing against tptb, as they won't stop victimizing my brothers and sisters.

So yea, make yourself known, they already know you anyway.

Do you walk around public with a name card hanging around your neck with all your data?

No, thats just stupid.

I have no clue why people think the equilvalent of that online is good idea in any way.

If you want to be that guy that walks around telling everyone way to much about yourself fine go right ahead. Just do not try to make the rest of the world share in your delusion that everyone cares about your personal info. There is always one guy at a jobsite that must walk around talking to everyone telling them about everyone in his house and what they are doing.

People care about your thoughts and ideas, they do not care about your personal life they have there own. By adding statistical data to online posts you take away from the ideas and thoughts and label the person. You make make some afraid to express themselves. We are more than m/f, race, religon, relitives, class, phyisical location, etc...

I think age and location.

Ok - well I have had a very mature conversation with 12 year old - - but that's probably not the norm.

It is my opinion - - that age and location - - can help determine how/what/where of a posters thought process.

Originally posted by LadySkadi

Originally posted by UnknownPhilosopher

Does the anonimity the web brings a perfect system since it truly is a veil of ignorance?

I'll answer with another quote:

“The Internet is the first thing that humanity has built that humanity doesn't understand, the largest experiment in anarchy that we have ever had.”

~Eric Schmidt

Thats a very appropriate quote. It begs the question of how long the anarchy will last until rules, regulations, and status take over?

I'm 99 years old and am a super-spy.

Too many people would lie and/or embellish. I think it's better this way. Plus, I don't trust the people who own/run this site.

reply to post by UnknownPhilosopher


People don't need my name, age, gender, profession, or any other personal details to verify the information I post. In fact, I don't find mainstream scientists anymore trustable than an amateur scientist/hobbyist. In fact, they often have much more reason to distort and twist the facts to push certain agendas. All that matters is the information, not who delivers it. Furthermore, ATS has strict rules about supplying personal information, it's one of the controversial rules I actually agree with. We all talk about highly sensitive issues that might cause certain people to take note of our discussions and try to derail certain topics. I think it would be very dangerous and naive for all of us to state exactly who we are. I never really liked anonymous, but their philosophy is brilliant. We have powers in numbers, and we have one face.

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/738dc56c1f5c.png[/atsimg]

I am 32 and just finished a two year program in welding.

Hope that helps.

I think it's a great idea.



I am 73 and have had a long and fruitful career as a Professional Spider-Goat Milker and caretaker.

reply to post by UnknownPhilosopher


The "veil of ignorance" is that you that think people's age, background, profession, or what they look like should matter-isn't it what they are sharing and communicating with us here on the boards that matters?
An overweight 20 year old Eskimo manicurist could post something just as brilliant (or ignorant) as a skinny 45 year old professor from Sweden..........

reply to post by Son of Will


I tend to agree. In my opinion this would bring us back to the original issue we deal with today, credentials hold clout over knowledge. Unfortunately, one is not synonomous with the other.

reply to post by silent thunder


Very true. Words to the wise indeed.

Originally posted by Skippy1138
reply to post by UnknownPhilosopher

 

The "veil of ignorance" is that you that think people's age, background, profession, or what they look like should matter-isn't it what they are sharing and communicating with us here on the boards that matters?
An overweight 20 year old Eskimo manicurist could post something just as brilliant (or ignorant) as a skinny 45 year old professor from Sweden..........

Do you believe others hold to the model of that thinking? I'm not saying it matters to me but public opinion is very biased. Appearances, age, race, and gender play a major role. So is the internets privacy the closest thing to the perfect system for true unbiased knowledge sharing,

reply to post by UnknownPhilosopher

Do you believe others hold to the model of that thinking? I'm not saying it matters to me but public opinion is very biased. Appearances, age, race, and gender play a major role. So is the internets privacy the closest thing to the perfect system for true unbiased knowledge sharing,

The reason public opinion is so biased in our own society is because TPTB in collusion with the media have painted a picture in the minds of the American people as to what authority and respectability should look like. If I make a medical statement, I should look like a doctor. If I present my theory on quantum physics, I should look like a Phd. And so on.

The problem with that thinking, is what does a person with good common sense look like? What does a person who points out that the emperor has no clothes look like? How should a person who speaks the truth dress? And what kind of degree do they need to speak the truth? Is there IQ high enough to speak the truth? Do they have the right connections?

Perfect? No. But I personally like the idea that right now I have no idea whether you are black, white, red, or other. I have no idea if you are male or female. I don't know what your financial status is.

And someone mentioned spelling and grammar earlier. I know millionaires, and I know the poorest of the poor. And the aforementioned are common to both. Come to think of it. What does a good speller with exceptional grammatical skills look like?

Originally posted by UnknownPhilosopher
I considered at one point completely disclosing some of my information for all members that wished to see. My age, profession, background. I considered doing so in the effort to not be another faceless critic just floating in the ether of cyberspace.

So my question is to you all that visit this thread. Do you think we should all just bite the bullet and put a face to those words we so effortlessly cast upon the screen? Would it bring more decorum? More compassion?

Or....

Would it bring what I felt that it would? More condemnation, even more lack of respect, disregard for someones opinion even more now that their profession, age, gender, or race is known.

Does the anonimity the web brings a perfect system since it truly is a veil of ignorance?

I look forward to all your responses.

edit on 6-6-2011 by UnknownPhilosopher because: (no reason given)

I think it would be a good idea, that way one can make an informed decision whether to debate another member on an issue. I certainly don't want to waste my time debating a 14 year old teeny bopper killing time during the summer.

Posting information about ones age and profession is one thing, but I get totally blown away by some of the threads such as "What type of gun do you own?" !

Thats just a knock away from trouble.....

reply to post by UnknownPhilosopher


I am not ready for ATS to see my picture yet.
When I lose 50 lbs. then,I will post my picture.
I don't want to be held responsible for blinding
other members with my "before" shot! I am sure
that would be against T&C rules


I am 56 years old and I'm a floral designer and event planner.

Our creepy neighbors have more on us than anyone would believe! LOL

I don't mind, I have my birthdate up there, my name, my profession is "Freeman", and I have a picture in my photo album.

I highly doubt I will be found on a "Russian Bride" website but if I do I might consider moving if the guy is right!

Seriously, they already know who you are and what we say is just as easily traced back to us, so enjoy yourself, explore your world, and if you happen to change you mind along the way then say so! Stand up for who you are!

Since I am Gay my chances of survival in any other world would most likely be quite slimmer! I am a voice in the Dark, let me turn on the Light for you!