Hacker News Reader

Comment by adamnemecek | Hacker News Reader

I can't get over the fact that the New Yorker is quoting some reddit users using their online nicknames.

I know you've clarified your view below, but there are plenty of people who I know only by their online nickname. Stage names are accepted as normal and no one bats an eyelid - Reginald Dwight is a great example of this. There are plenty around however.

I've been referred to by my nick for over 30 years, so yeah, it's a totally legitimate handle for referring to me.

That said, it also points out I'm pushing gooter status.

Heck, at the next opportunity (Canadian citizenship) I am going to adopt a legal name so my initials will spell my nick. Retronym at its best :D

Oooh, now I can't decide if I like "backronym" or "retronym" better. Never heard that one before.

I can't get over the fact people keep printing articles without adding anything to the mix.

Assuming the Satoshi Nakamoto identified is not the Satoshi Nakamoto who invented bitcoin, you'd think they'd try and get some formal writing with an FOI request or something to solidify the writing analysis instead of relying on postings to model train forums.

The New Yorker's tech writing has already been really weird when George Packer isn't in the byline.

I know right. Edit: jep, that's me they're quoting.

At least for me, I know more people by their handles than their real names. Not sure if that's the case for most people though.

I once sent an ambulance to someone's house and told them to ask for the guy by his screen name since it was all I had to go off of.

What happened, if you don't mind me asking?

Someone posting worryingly that they might be attempting to suicide by pills. It all worked out though, and they're doing better these days.

I mean it's probably the same for me (idk I never really counted) but I still find it strange when pretty reputable news outlets do it.

I'm a mod on a few reasonably sized reddit subs, and yea, i would have no idea who anyone was by their real name. We are living in a transitional time for media to say the least. I wouldn't be surprised if media, by which i mean reporting style, 50 years from now barely resembles the old guard of today.

You'd prefer their passport names? Would you quote Satoshi Nakamoto using his real name?

It's that I find it entertaining more than anything.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com