To wonder about name changing

[anonacfr]

I see so many threads (usually of a sensitive nature) that start with 'I have name changed for this'...

What's the point? Surely it can detract from the issue discussed and when posters mention they're MN regulars, isn't it just going to encourage people to try to work out who they are? I understand posters wanting to 'hide' their identity by name changing of course but don't advertise the fact!

BTW I haven't name changed for this.

but if they don't declare it, some people could assume they're just trolling.

i think it would be becuase if it is a sensitive thread then people can do a search on you and when they find it is your first post, they think it could be a windup.

I name change all the time, but that is just because i dont want to be recognised in rl. I don't announce it though

You are rather spectacularly missing the point OP

Proud how do you do a search? Thanks

OK thanks for being patronising. What is the spectacular point that I'm so densely missing?
Do people really go looking for post history every time they look at a thread?

And why should a newcomer automatically be suspected of trolling rather than be taken at face value?

No, but if there is someone you recognise on MN, and then they post a very personal post - perhaps they do not want their real life friends / people they know to know about it?

There are people on here I know in RL, and some have given away far more information than I would... if they recognise me back, then I would namechange for any posts that I wouldn't want these people knowing about.

I don't have issue with name changing at all, it's the way it's become a thing to announce. I take it people don't want to be labelled trolls- does that mean everytime something sensitive is being posted MNs detectives go investigate posters' histories to check whether or not they're legit?
I think that's rather sad.

I take what I read here at face value. I don't even know how to search posters' history. There are some names I recognise and some I don't. Doesn't mean anything to me.

I have posted a thread under another name, in the past, because if the person I had posted about had read my thread, they would easily recognise themselves and I didn't want them to have access to my whole posting history.

I don't regularly change my name and have posted quite personal things, that I wouldn't necessarily want to share with particular people irl.

Surely any troll can say they have name changed?

Well quite.

well, yes, that's why they go on to say "cutted up pear, cube of poo" or whatever, to show they know about "famous" threads.

(although technically any troll could check this out themselves & do the same).

it's just the protocol, that's all.