Monday, June 20, 2011
We Are Moral Cowards
On June 7 we visited our good friends at WNPR as guests on The Colin McEnroe Show. The theme of the show was "Nom De Plume: A (Secret) History Of Pseudonyms." (Hear the full show here) Towards the end of the show we were taking some calls and James from New London called in. Now James called in with an agenda, and his agenda was to legislate morality. James immediately clued us into "reality" and let it be known that we are "unadulterated moral cowards". We can only imagine that James is a wonderfully fulfilled and exciting man. Thanks James! Now we know that we are moral cowards and knowing is half the battle!
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I find this fascinating, not just because I called in to the same show (Hi Hakaan!) but because, as I have pointed out elsewhere, the caller flatly refused to acknowledge the historical context of the use of pseudonyms and satire in criticism (political and otherwise). Voltaire, John Adams, Mark Twain all come readily to mind.
ReplyDeleteYou're speaking in jest, of course, but the reality is the use of a nom de plume in not in any way a sign of moral weakness, just as the use of one's real name to say something offensive is not an inherent sign of moral superiority. Speaking solely for myself, in private life I don't hesitate to be outspoken, but I regard it as an entirely separate arena. I use my online identity for a very specific purpose in the local political scene.
That, I I had always assumed I would have been outed by now. What I found empowering was the admission to those who sought to "out" me was that I didn't care. I maintain that I am happy to stand by my statements in the light of day, I would just rather avoid it for personal reasons if it isn't absolutely necessary.
Keep it up guys. Love the blog.
I have no idea why James felt the need to add the word "moral" when coward by itself would cover what he's accusing anonymous bloggers of being. Of course, I don't understand why using a pseudonym would, in and of itself, be considered cowardice in the first place. Maybe James lives in an imaginary world where the price of airing one's opinion is simply criticism from dissenters rather than the real world forms it can take.
ReplyDeleteI say this as a guy who generally posts under his own name, although the potential political and career fallout from posting recipes, childhood memories and self-deprecating snark online is close to nil.
Oh please. While I write my current website as the real me, I have written for others under a pseudonym – Without hesitation. Why would I want to jeopardize current and future employment situations with stupid blog posts making fun of people I don’t know personally? It’s a no-brainer; when I write comedy/criticism, I use a pseudonym online. When I write my ‘respected” website, I use my real name.
ReplyDeleteAlthough… I was once quoted in the New York Times a few years ago – as my pseudonym. Which kind of sucked. They were very complimentary of my writing/humor, but the only people who knew it was me were my wife and a few co-writers. Oh well.
All so true.
ReplyDelete@Jeff Jumper and I grew up in Marlborough. I spent a lot of time in my high schools days hanging out at Donut Depot
@Hakaan Donut Depot! Alas, long gone. With all the development Beast Hampton must be unrecognizable to you.
ReplyDeleteAt least he said you're moral. Imagine how much of a dick he would have been if he called you an immoral coward!
ReplyDeletePen names serve as an essential tool/shield when you want to make a point and protect yourself from scorn that can really forever damage your chances of say getting a job or something. The caller had terrible reasons why you shouldn't use a pen name, but the best reason not to use one is because it's pretty ballsy to attach your real name to something. It depends how "controversial" the topic is. If you're just voicing a normal opinion like most people do on the Internet, then it's not a big deal. I'm talking about doing ridiculous things, like the Debaser does. They use pen names, but they're crazy enough to use real names and blur the line between who is who, and what's real versus mystery and absurdity etc.
ReplyDelete@Jeff Haven't been to East Hampton in years. Last time I was in Marlborough two or three years ago I barely recognized it
ReplyDeleteWhat a loon! You gentlemen are great, and I've consistently enjoyed reading Sad City for some time now - eases my homesickness.
ReplyDeleteKeep on fightin' the good fight for our fair capital. James sounds like he doesn't know his ass from his elbow.
When you are considering the truth, value, or usefulness of a statement, what difference does the author's name make?
ReplyDelete