One More Example of How Pseudonyms on the Web Can Aid and Abet Bad Behaviour

Not much cover, ultimately. It reminds me a little of another internets pseud game done awry: Mary Rosh/John Lott. But, Jon, pseuds aid and abet bad behaviour in much the same way prybars facilitate burglary and cars make bank robbery easier. The person using them has to be rotten to begin with. Given the personally important and ethical function pseuds have for most people, it’s a little unfair to say they aid and abet. John Lott remains as honest and well-intentioned as he ever was. His disgrace had no impact on his conduct. Has an unmasking ever stopped a creep? They all find new ways eventually, if deception is part of their game. The rest proudly and defiantly build their brands, with the shameful notoriety adding an extra sweetener.

Yes, rotten people will do rotten things, regardless of acoutrements. And I agree that peudonyms have some positive useful function.

Why do I alsways agree ith you ? Hopefully someday I can disagree and peeve you, so that I don’t seem such a milquetoast.

You could peeve me by becoming a right wing religionist or an objectivist — or even worse: BOTH. Any of those would send me into a squawking death spiral.

Disagreements, now, those are best done in Montreal bars, as I recall. I think we argued a bit on the walking tours you used to try and kill me, too. Milquetoast? Hah!