even so, they're not names like we think of; there's no genealogy, there's no history, there's no connection to family. Nothing like that.
That is so true. Although a name like JTHipster probably has a genealogy - by which I mean to say, a story of how it evolved. I think the nature of a name is changing.
If the nature of names is changing, perhaps the nature of identity is also changing. I have trouble keeping track of multiple names/identities. I find it very frustrating when my name has been "taken" by someone else. I sometimes have to resort to using a term of affection that people call me (noodledish) and even then, I have to be noodledish22 or some such.
The older I get, the more integration I seek. I don't want anyone to say, "Wow are you ever different when your sister, wife, husband, grandmother, or smartphone is in the room."
I think thenewgreen is on hubski so much that he has fully integrated tng into his Steven personality. Or have you, tng?
lil, thenewgreen was an enormous part of my life well before Hubski. I remember sounds_sound telling me he would have chosen his name differently if he knew he'd remain on Hubski. b_b, if I did refer to myself as tng to my wife it was either tongue in cheek or to annoy her. I don't go around referring to myself as such.... Not yet.