Identity:Writing Under an Assumed Name
Writing Under An Assumed Name Jerome Noir A Male or a Female? Religion? Hindu? Doesn't sound like. Muslim? Could Be. Christian? Most probably. But we aren't sure. I LOVE THIS. For the experiences I have had and the lessons I learnt. When I first thought of joining the blogging world, It never occurred to me, that this idea of writing under an assumed name would prove to be so valuable and go a long way in teaching me about people and their attitudes. I AM HAPPY. Because my name doesn't reveal whether the person is a male or a female (though, it is so easy to make that out on rediffiland; nevertheless, most of the people miss it!), Nor gives a clue of the religion I belong to. I could have never imagined that people would react differently on a ‘subject depending on what they suppose is my real identity. I haven't been here for a long time and still find it difficult to find time for blogs. But, I have already had plenty of such experiences. People getting confused and wondering how to go about in absence of that (crucial?) information. I didn’t know you were a woman!! SO???? What does it has to do with anything?? In argument, twice, on subjects related to religion, my secular take and suggestions to let nation and people supercede religious differences, were misconstrued and considered no less than an attack on their religion. I also observed how people projecting themselves to be secular in their approach, would get worked up and make statements that begin with, “If you are a muslim….” ; or “If you are a christian…..” If someone is genuinely secular, why is it that such statements find their way into their arguments? There are bloggers who, in spite of using a second name, have let their identities known. I had similar plans initially. However, having gone through what I have, I would prefer to keep it this way, at least for some more time. One may carry on speculating.
Your writing is very neat and crisp I would say
It doesnt matter at all, even more so in this internet world, when we communicate through texts… The Information rendered is important not the information bearer.
As Shakespeare expressed it so eloquently,” What’’s in a name. A rose by any other name will smell as sweet”, and something which is foul smelling will stink, no matter what you call it. So too people’’s natures, which will come through in interactions with others, no matter what identity you give yourself. I feel that even if the name or gender or any other criteria may elicit a particular response from a person in the beginning, the same may undero a change depending on the kind of personality you project. So the name Jerome will eventually come to be identified with the kind of person that you are.
By the way, you forgot to mention one more parameter: race, or region… I think, in general, there are some very popular racists or regional chauvinists here on the iland :), sorry for me to say it like this, and may be some time you will get to know this too… I am sounding like a grandfather now, laden with experiences to share :)) (Rahul)
Differences in opinion don”t matter if we are honest… Many people on the blog know my real name, many know me personally too… Using second name is fine, when I arrived here most of the people were using it… I didnt like the idea of fake names, but because I used to write a lot on politics, many people suggested me to change the display name. I changed it… Coming to your point: how does one’’s religion or gender matter? I agree, that it should not matter. But not everyone remains like that, and we do see people taking to each mother making references to each other’’s gender… religion is somewhere a taboo on the iland. Because discussions go sour and we end up losing friends… Anyways, a very honest and good post… All the best to you! And I too suggest you not to reveal your real identity. Somewhere down the line, I got to form this opinion… Regards, (Rahul)
it does not matter whether you are a female or a male - it does not change the way a person is does it? To me it does not matter who you are - as long as I get to enjoy your works and this one in itself is nice to read cause it is unique - take care and have a wonderful evening :)))))
humm, aint this applicable to me, me too writing under aan assumed name, who knows me, if iam real or corn, Male/female, but do you care. See :))
there are people who does not care if u r a male/female. I for one would like to be considered as a person than male/female or based on religion.NICE thought
@Beena John & Nikhat Fatima…….Yes, most of the times, the name is for males….but, have come across it being used for females too……Anyhow, the confusion wasn”t intentional….and the experiences and lessons, good eye-openers….thanks
Hahahahaaa…I saw the sign in the profile that said u r a female! Jerome is most of the times a male name. But then a friend is a friend, a human a human. But u r right, bang on target that naam mein log mazhab dhoond lete hain. But does it matter? Let them. We are what we are. Good one.
hardly matters who u r, untill u r a human… Jerome certainly is a christian name and certainly a male
intelligent BLOG…. each and every word that you penned here are 100% true. opinion differs if people knows your real identity.
@ Sunrise Marketing Services (Chetan Alandkar)…………. Thanks for your comment, Chetan…. But, I am sorry, I couldn’t really understand why you said that….. Just because I am not using my real name? …… You are right, MOST of the feedback one receives on one’s posts, does not have to do anything with one’s gender or religion….That is what I believed in too, until I experienced things to the contrary…. Do you think I have imagined things here? I am not trying to test anybody/anything by concealing my identity or saying/commenting things I do not mean…. Whether Jerome is a male or a female can be easily known from one’s iland page…..(and also from my posts)…. As of religion, Rediff doesn’t ask one to furnish that information… or I would have mentioned that as well….(But, why and how is that of any consequence?)It is only when people made suppositions about my religion (guessing through my name) that set me thinking and this post originated…it wasn’t really my intention.
@ Vipin….. there isn””t a need to speculate…. my blog as well as my posts mention that a number of times…. and just for information, there are two small signs just under one”’’s pic/avatar on one”’’s iland… the first tells about the gender and the other of one”’’s zodiac sign… However, not many people notice it, and it isn””t as easy to guess that from my name… and hence the confusion……
Dear ”jerome”!, in order to end my speculation, I need to ask you just a simple question. In your blog ”If you love someone…”, why is it that the writer of the original quote chose to use the words ”her” and ‘’she”? It could have been ”his” and ”he” as well..Your true (or even a sincere guess) will serve the purpose!
very nice and u have very long exp. thanks and welcome to u
PSEUDONYMS WERE EVER SO EFFECTIVE IN CONVEYING THE MESSAGES OF THE WRITER TO THE READERS - but it’’s refreshing to discover that reverse is interesting too.Good one friend.Keep at it!
Good post. Only contents matter…not whether one is brown, black, orange or yellow or the religious affliations etc.
well I dun understand why people concentrate on anyone’s religion or caste or gender when creativity counts always…BTW you dun have to care those who are dying to know abt you and ur religion and gender etc..in this forum only creativity and depth always matters not these craps…Good post….always believe in majority…not party…..kya karun….Election ka time hai…toh aise language nikal jate hain….Agar janta ne kaha HAAN toh HAAN…. RAJ…
I think we must be able to comment in a way that certain sentiments are not hurt for a person….coz still its a public forum. Tomorrow i don”t want to wake up hurting someones religious and gender views…… there are people who do take offense ……. and i don”t want to be in that situation! So i avoid commenting on blogs where my views clash. I happened to offend a few people initially happy blogging!
ha, genre post, its nothing to me what the blogger is, seriously i dont give a damn if its he or she or hindu/muslim or anything that sort. Creativity or talent has no classifications. quite nicely writen, thanks
Thanks for your comments …… Yes, It is the CONTENT that SHOULD MATTER, irrespective of which community one belongs to …. But, SADLY, for some it isn”t …… and I haven”t imagined anything mentioned in the post …. The reason Why this post originated is BECAUSE I experienced things contrary to what I believed…. In fact, it never occured to me until I saw people making those suppositions….. and I felt, that the dialogue did turn offensive under those circumstances…. I have never answered those questions (which assumed I belonged to a particular religion), because I believed it was irrelevant…. however, what I learnt is one of the most important lessons….
NICE POST!!!
I dont think that while putting forward one’’s views or even while reading, analysing and commenting on it, you dont need to know the identity and other details. What matters is the content. And those who comment depending on the identity are not the ones who are interested in reading and commenting. May be their intentions are different… And moreover it depends on the comfort level of the writer, whether he/she is comfortable in revealing his/her identity or not… To true readers, these are hardly any hurdles…
..it is immaterial whether u belong to a particular gender, religion or caste .. it is the quality of writing that matters.. the essence is that one should be good human being irrespect of caste, religion and grow beyond all the limitations…
I would say that you have still not understood the secular fabric of India. I believe that most of feedback one gets on ones blogs is not influenced by age/gender/religion/status. As rightly pointed out by somebody, the content matters.
And if you think by concealing your true identity, you would be getting the RIGHT feedback, you are wrong!
Even after repeated acts of terrorism against the majority [Hindus], the minorities are safe and secure. What bigger proof is required?
its not ur identity that matters…. its the content the comes out of u”r pen…. wht u write and what u share…. and i don”t think anyone’’s guess using names and all will always work out….. happy blogging….
you make it sound so interesting!wish i too had this brainstorm…
Of course, identity should have little to do with the points being made
However, there are two kinds of points usually made. The first is data and application of existing knowledge; the second is analysis and interpretation of data and conclusions. For the first case, identity is important; I don”t think one can separate the quality of data from its source, while evaluating its reliability 
I personally don”t think too much either way about identity on blogs. I find it simpler to use my name, so I do it 