Should everyone who posts on here be required or at least compelled to reveal their true identities?

>>Yes, and post a picture to prove they ain't fat. I don't want to read any posts by some lardass.



That's a joke.

Your idea is good, but short of contacting each and every person and getting their SSN and CCN, there is no way to validate a person's identity.

The best idea is to ignore posts where the person doesn't include their real name in their profile.

I agree with you Tom i was reading a post the other day and it started going the wrong way so i checked everyone who posted info, eight out of nineteen had no info about themselfs or where they lived,always makes me wonder who i am reading about.

Interesting you should bring this up. Serotta has just shut down their forum/fora, due to a couple of issues. One was the level of trolling/abusive posts had risen to an intolerable level. Another was that Serotta claimed that representatives of competing companies had been openly and covertly using the forum to disparage Serotta in various ways. This was according to a letter posted by Ben Serotta at the link where the forum used to be. The text of the letter is here: http://www.hydromedia.com/serotta/

I've always posted my name on all posts to all online discussions, and I am always skeptical of anonymous posters.

Ken Lehner

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"Go yell at an M&M"

This is as good a time as any to set an example on this forum. Let me introduce myself to you all. My name is Gary "Curry" Tobleski. Along with running the TimeTrial.org web site and being an avid time trial racer wannabe, I am also a well established race car driver and a consultant on style and, as you can see, a very handsome man.



I appreciate Tom's candor and openness, and I have decided to share insights into my own life and in doing so I think I can help Tom in his relationships by offering some advice on how to get the chicks, as I am an expert on the subject:

http://dodoempire.com/rubberburner/

- Gary "Curry"

I am not worthy! I am not worthy!

Have you ever partied with the dudes from Whitesnake?

I'm serious, you are awsome...

Brett

Randy Rhodes 4-Ever!

"You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free"

"freedom isn't free"

People have fucked with me all my life. From the time I was a fat, zit faced kid up 'til now. If you are going to have an opinion- if you have the balls to have an opinion- you better have the moral fiber to be able to stand behind it. That is courage. That is integrity. I am often caught in embarrasing mistakes and humiliating contradictions in my posts. I frequently make an idiot out of myself. So be it. It is the cost of contributing. When I was in Thailand last week at least six people I met half way around the world knew me from posting on Slowtwitch under my real name.

That is why I expect others to risk suffering the same fate. It is the cost of having an opinion. So what if some spineless, lying individuals feel the need to lurk or assail me annonymously. It has happened before and it will happen again.

If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything.

I guess it boils down to this: If you don't have the courage to say who you are it may be appropriate to stay off public forums. When I go to city council meetings (as I often do, and I am very vocal there too) I don't wear a bag over my head. Even if I'm just sitting there everybody knows who I am. They can even see me on local cable TV.

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Tom Demerly
The Tri Shop.com

Dude, you full-on rock. Ride the Lightening. You are so "Live at Budokan" I had long hair once. I was cool.

Not to be dumb, but is this really you. That is cool. Full-on cool.

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Tom Demerly
The Tri Shop.com

First, to prove to Mr. Mike that I am not a "lardass."

http://www.brightroom.com/...mp;PWD=&BIB=1054

One rule always used in brainstorming/teambuilding types of "group gropes" that I would like to see is "no personal attacks." I think the attack on IronCLM a while back and some of the stuff about Tom has been beyond the pale.

I recognize that many people like to retain some anonymity. But, I think it would help if posters would preface their posts by at least giving some disclaimer. For example "I (am/am not) a (physiologist/coach/aerodynamicist/bullshit artist/simple jarhead/etc.) and my (wild ass guess/educated position/expert opinion/etc.) on (topic) is..." However, last time I did this I got kind of dissed. That's okay, though.

I have to agree with Tom. The interet is the only public forum where people can "hide" behind false identities. I'd much rather stand behind my words and perhaps "foolishly" let people know who I am. That being said, Tom, you are unlikely to change this silly and childish "net identity/persona phenomenon".

Keep delivering from your experience and knowledge on sport. We all appreciate it.

Yes Dev, I agree completely. I can't imagine wanting to "hide" and post anonymously.

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I was, now I will tri again!
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Any time is a good time.
God Bless you my friend.

This is not so simple. On the one hand, anonymity provides a more free flow of ideas. It's been part of the net's communication ethos all along.

On the other hand, threads (and entire sites) can turn into unmitigated flame zones. Has anybody checked out letsrun.com? That board is a nightmare.

If I were running a site, I'd want a verified identity registration scheme, and then would block disrespectful or disruptive posters. However, I think anonymity is worth the cost, all things considered.

Julian (and that's not my real name; anybody that wants to know my name knows my name. I'm semi-anonymous.)

No hesitation in agreeing with TD on this one. Things in the world are a changing though. Not long ago I challenged the morality of a someone wanting to criticize a collegue without owning it. I caught hell for it. Annonymity is a right don't you know.... I guess I watched too many westerns growing up, something about your word and your sacred honor being bound together.

I am not anonymous either...
I am Francois. I am french/aussie, born in Paris...
my ancestors are Gauls for some and cheese-eating surrendering monkeys for others, mixed with irish prisoners sent to Oz (as I don't think I am an ounce aborigene considering how well I burn in the summer)...
I think I am one of those on this forum who have had the honor to be attacked more than IronCLM...
And I don't care :-) I didn't backtrack...that is one non cheese eating surrendering monkey from France.

However, I don't hold grudge to anyone...life is too short.

and anonymity is for cowards...

Ok, let me be the first, in the spirirt of full disclosure and accountability, to lay all my cards out on the table.

I'm a wannabe triathlete. I have never done a triathlon, but I really want to. I don't own a bike, I can't swim, and I run a 10 minute mile. BUT, I'm going to buy a bike, I'm going to learn to swim, and I run six days a week. One day I will post on this forum that I am now a TRIATHLETE. Until then, I will live vicariously through each of you, and ask questions until someone makes me stop.

There, I feel much better.

now you guys are making me paranoid!



-gary

As a Gaul you are already a man of honor in my book Francois, and for the record, I have never seen such unmitigated badasses as your Legion d'Etrangere (or however you spell the name of the elite French Foreign Legion Special Operations unit)and your GIGN anti-terroist police. Good men, all of them. Also, your encyclopedic knowledge of the sport has been and continues to be a valuable resource on this forum. It reminds me frequently of the late Michael R. Rabe's legendary mental databank of bicycle racing. Very impressive.

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Tom Demerly
The Tri Shop.com

'I recognize that many people like to retain some anonymity. But, I think it would help if posters would preface their posts by at least giving some disclaimer. For example "I (am/am not) a (physiologist/coach/aerodynamicist/bullshit artist/simple jarhead/etc.) and my (wild ass guess/educated position/expert opinion/etc.) on (topic) is..." '

But the people who post anonymously are the LAST people who post with humility. Case in point is a certain individual who constantly rails against Shimano, clinchers, and anything not from the political right.

Tom:

I must have missed something and so forgive me if my reply is off base. I am only a casual browser here but Im pretty sure i havent not seen any "controversial or potentially inflammatory topics" here beyond the campy/shimano cat fight. Seems to me this is a world-wide forum to give people at work an excuse for not working and maybe share some useful information or insight about life and triathlon in the meantime. If "a number of individuals maintain surveillance of [your] activities, whereabouts, opinions and other behavior through intelligence gained on this forum" that truly is a scary thing but due soley to the fact that you decided to tell them and anyone else who cared to log on here about who you are and about your activities, whereabouts, opinions and other behavior. If you feel your safety or wellbeing or anything else is threatened by disclosing personal info to a bunch of random internet browsers then I would think the better solution is for you to maintain anonymity or to be more circumspect in revealing personal or confidential information.

Respectfully,

JTS

I am only slightly anonymous. I post using my typical handle, first initial last name, and I list the area where I live. My first name is Jeff. I'm opinionated, but I don't share 3/4 of my thoughts with you all because many people here flame you when you do, rather than engaging you in intellectual discourse. I spend enough time here without joining flame wars.

I like this forum a lot, although in general I try to stick with the tri-related or 'light' topics. I feel that it is not my place to insult other people, mock their beliefs or opinions, or otherwise be a total dickhead. I even try not to swear too much.

Your point about anonymity is on the money, as my biggest gripes with this forum(and the Internet in general) are:

1. People who shove their beliefs or opinions down your throat.
2. People who flame you when you voice your opinion because they disagree.
3. People who think that insulting you is a logical rebuttal of your opinion.
4. People who are generally pricks towards other folks out there.
5. People who argue that their opinion(see conundrum thread) is a fact by virtue of their having it.

Not all of the people who do this sort of thing are anonymous, but most of them are, and having that shield makes people much bolder than they would be if you were standing toe-to-toe with them.

I'm not the super-fragile type who loses sleep when I get flamed, but it does annoy me when I join in on a contentious thread and someone who doesn't like my opinion responds with insult, condescension, or some other retort that has nothing to do with my thoughts. Let's be serious, opinions are opinions, and facts are facts. If you don't like my opinion, try to convince me that I'm wrong. I respect your right to have your opinion, even if your having it makes me think you're an idiot. But we're here because we're triathletes, not to insult each other. But hey, if that's what floats your boat, I'll try to ignore you. Troll.

Good topic, Tom. Thanks for bringing it up.

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Francois, I will eat cheese and drink wine with you any day.

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

Great sunrise pic! I've done SRI 3 x and it was my first tri, but I skipped it this year. It was just getting too big IMHO, esp. with my age group (35-39) starting as almost the last wave.

Be sure to let me know if you pork up over the winter so I'll know not to read your posts.

How much info are you talking here? Name and city with working email or full out laying it all out open you up to problems?

Since my paranoia meter is in the red right now I have to know what exactly your saying. I have had a couple of people question a few things about me and when I provided proof the response made me uncomfortable. Like my surgeon asking me why he got a phone call asking about me. What exactly is your plan?

Now my paranoia is itching because I'm no too sure I wouldn't fall under the flamer group.

Some of us are just loud mouth bastards. The Chameleon I'm sorry I jump at you. I like to think of us as foils instead of foes. Love you dearly.

So what is your plan?

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customerjon @gmail.com is where information happens.