"name changed for this"

[changedforthisjustincaseiabu]

I don't get it...

Posters start their outing post with 'name changed for this in case friend/mil/DD/etc is on MN'. They then proceed to describe the entire situation, with specific details, but in theory nothing 'outing'.

Surely if said person is on MN and currently going through the scenario mentioned, it should not be too hard to spot that said scenario has been posted about. All the poster has achieved is not enabling their friend/mil/DD to identify any previous MN posts/replies they have made about other situations not involving them.

Do posters generally understand that notwithstanding the name change the other protagonist can still identify themself in the posted scenario and can still read all of the OPs opinion about it? Or is 'name changed for this' generally understood to be some sort of magic invisibility cloak that prevents certain other people in your life from reading your opinion of them on MN?

Am I missing something?

The previous posts are the point.

It means they've obviously considered they could be identified by what they are about to post, and accept that, but don't want it linking to previous posts.

You're missing the point.

It's so that if someone recognises the situation, they can't then go through all of that poster's previous posts. So they won't know about the time you posted a year ago asking for advice with vaginal discharge or or even just the conversation you had with the postman.

They don’t want it to be linked to their previous posts but I understand your point and I have thought the same in the past.

As PPs said, it's so they can't be linked to their previous posts if they are identified because the content of the post they NC for outing.

However, it is definitely used by trolls to try and fool people as well.

The point is so that IF someone recognises them from the post, the account They usually post from remains anonymous

Yes, you're missing something, the 32456 other threads asking the same question

They're trying to avoid being called a troll if/when someone advance searches.

Though if someone is being goady / clearly being unreasonable and is going to spend 17 pages arguing they're right whilst complaining that "I should have known not to ask for advice on MN. It's a nest of vipers on here" having that they've name changed won't matter much

Its because of

1. Accusations of trolling "interesting first post OP"

2. The poster is acknowledging that they have chosen to avoid having either other posters or people reading who might recognise the situation from finding their other posts theough Advanced Search and confirming their identity.

So eg "That sounds like Sue from my kids school, look she's complaining about the teachers"

Quick advance search poster is 35, 2 DDs, Newcastle, likes crafting, is watching Love Island

DEFINITELY Sue.

People have been "outed" on MN I've seen it happen

Oh god, this again!

This situation may be outing but at least it cant be traced back to previous usernames/posts. Is it really that difficult to understand .

But yes, many trolls now use that line thinking others wont question their ridiculous and obviously made up scenarios.

All the poster has achieved is not enabling their friend/mil/DD to identify any previous MN posts/replies they have made about other situations not involving them.

When you say 'all' the poster has achieved...

Well that's exactly what they wanted to achieve

All the poster has achieved is not enabling their friend/mil/DD to identify any previous MN posts/replies they have made about other situations not involving them.

That is the point.

It means if they discuss an issue at school that other parents will recognise, those other parents can't then search the username and read all about their infertility / sex life / mental health problems / money issues / relationship issues / fight with their mother / that time they slagged off their best friend etc etc etc.

Glad I name changed for this

Thanks for clearing that up. Personally I'd be more worried about outing myself to the person IRL that I was having the major issue with, but maybe I need to create more posts about vaginal discharge first to see the point.

I've noticed some trolls and goady posters recently post harmlessly on a couple of threads to establish a history before pursuing their true objective. Doesn't make them any less obvious though.

It’s just so people can’t see what they have previously posted

Yeah as everyone else has said... prevents people who feel like the poster could be someone they know going through previous posts for more evidence and confirming it definitely is that person.

Prevents people who realise they know the poster from going through their previous posts and seeing/reading more personal things- people discuss all sorts on here including relationships/sex life/work and so on.

I think it would be far better to precede all posts with “name changed for this”, but not actually change your username. Just for shits and giggles.

@Doyoumind - baby names. Hairy handers always post there first. It's why I can't take that part of the site seriously at all.

"Thanks for clearing that up. Personally I'd be more worried about outing myself to the person IRL that I was having the major issue with, but maybe I need to create more posts about vaginal discharge first to see the point."

Is that you, UCM?

I think people name change regularly just to not give too much away in general

Plausible deniability. No, of course I'm not telling anybody that you hit me, I talk about weaning and toilet training on here. And whether to buy a Dyson or a Shark.

Much safer than 'maybe they do live in the same area, have 3 boys aged the same, a dog with the same name, the same size clothes and exactly the same dress I bought last week. And they work in the same type of shop doing exactly the same hours. But it's not me saying the manager has her hand in the till.its just coincidence'

All the poster has achieved is not enabling their friend/mil/DD to identify any previous MN posts/replies they have made about other situations not involving them.

that is the entire point

Surely you are more anonymous if you don't mention the name change at all though??