Why are members allowed to keep their locations anonymous?

[normie]

I'm one of those people who prefers a bit of anonymity. But I did have a "real world" city-data connection once that was kind of funny. I was at a Chamber of Commerce breakfast a couple of years ago and the people sitting at my table were talking about using the internet. I mentioned city-data in passing but apparently somebody else at the table put 2 + 2 together and suddenly he said, "Oh my GOD! You must be normie!"

I was still recovering from the surprise of hearing this when he said "I can't believe you're black!" Then realizing he had just said something stupid, he tried to save face by saying, "I mean, I just figured normie would be some pale white Jewish guy!" and then he got even more flustered and said "And I thought everybody there was, like, 20 or maybe at most 25! What are you doing being so old?"

You should have seen all the other faces around the table. They looked like this: . Meanwhile the kid looked like this: I couldn't decide how to react so I think I looked like this: (Of course now it just makes me laugh: )

Originally Posted by Jammie

I actually enjoy it when non-residents post in our state forum. I like to read trip reports or posts from new-comers. It's amazing the things that they pay attention to that I've never noticed since I'm a lifelong resident here. They observe many things that I never think twice about.

I agree.... as long as people are being real. But, LOL, we all know that isn't always the case! Especially in the summer, when school's out and kids are bored and ready to play pranks.

I can sympathize with the OP--some days you really get tired of posters who think it's hi-larious to claim they live in certain cities, and then start threads about non-existing racial tensions, complain about fictitious HOAs, etc. But, would identifying a zip code change anything? Somehow I doubt it, kids will be kids.

IMO, the only thing to do is remember to laugh and realize you can't believe everything you read on the internet.

[Northwoods Voyager]

normie makes a great point...I prefer to just post my state and a general area within. On our Missouri forum I have noticed exactly the situation which normie makes reference to....people posting such negative and untrue comments regarding racial tensions and other basically non-existing situations in an attempt to sway others to ignore our state.

[fuzzymystic]

I used to just have 'near Toledo', that is, until Joe the Plumber put us on the MAP! Very few people know my cat's name, so I feel my identity is safe!

[ProgShred]

Originally Posted by fuzzymystic

I used to just have 'near Toledo', that is, until Joe the Plumber put us on the MAP! Very few people know my cat's name, so I feel my identity is safe!

Isn't that Sam without a plumbing license?

[virgode]

After your on here regularly for a bit, you start to figure out who is real and who isn't, if they choose to keep there location secret, so what.

Anyone who would come on here and be a complete fake, is kind of a pathetic waste of time.

[Brandon26pdx]

Originally Posted by Ro-Dialin

Why are members allowed to keep their locations anonymous? This gives members the advantage of being able to post in other forums and act as if they are a native to a particular area when they're not. Why not generate the members location based on the zip code where they are using their computer.

Yeah I don't think they can force the issue like that without pissing people off, but I do agree people not stating where they live in a web forum dedicated to geography is, um...Weak Sauce! People like to lie and play pretend on internet though, so whatever. Also you get the old folks like my mom and dad who think the internet boogy man will come get them if they give out a single shred of personal information, no matter how benign.

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by Ro-Dialin

Why are members allowed to keep their locations anonymous? This gives members the advantage of being able to post in other forums and act as if they are a native to a particular area when they're not. Why not generate the members location based on the zip code where they are using their computer.

There have been a lot of reasons given. Unfortunately there are some people who would hate you just because of where you live. They may hate your town, or they may hate your state. There are also some who would hate your name. So sometimes it's just easier to hide some of your identity ad try to make friends.



Rich

[mommytotwo]

I look at it as a privacy and even a safety issue.

Many people talk about various details of their lives on CD.

You should not have to disclose your ZIP code, which will tell everyone which city you are from, or even which AREA in a city you are from, in order to chat.

I love CD but there are crazies out there, you know..........

[Torn2pieces]

Originally Posted by Ro-Dialin

Why are members allowed to keep their locations anonymous? This gives members the advantage of being able to post in other forums and act as if they are a native to a particular area when they're not. Why not generate the members location based on the zip code where they are using their computer.

I personally do not want everyone knowing where I reside. It's called privacy and I do it for safety reasons.

[effie g-tad]

Originally Posted by Brandon26pdx

Yeah I don't think they can force the issue like that without pissing people off, but I do agree people not stating where they live in a web forum dedicated to geography is, um...Weak Sauce! People like to lie and play pretend on internet though, so whatever. Also you get the old folks like my mom and dad who think the internet boogy man will come get them if they give out a single shred of personal information, no matter how benign.

i agree. the possibilities look better than reality seems able to accept.