Reading the post on the need to be secure, I was struck with something. I have always tried to be very careful, but the method I have always followed online was by having my own Persona. I know my Persona is known for his humor, sadistic glee, and caring. Emerald D5, or Em to his friends (which most of you fall into) is his own person. I know his tastes, where he grew up, how he speaks... And that is true for other virtual personas of mine in the interwebs. Each is a shade of me, almost a what if... but they are not constrained by facts, only if they share a core spirit of me inside... the thing the Real Me doesn't share with many. I can wear my Persona like a comfy glove, pressed against my real skin inside... and shed when I need to leave, or given to Goodwill if I need to divorce myself from him. I would hate to lose the dear Emerson... but I come first.

Out of curiosity, am I the oddball in this method? Not asking for details of your differences, but just wondering if I am alone in this.

P.S. As a corollary to the Privacy protection issue: Don't send e-mails to us with your real name associated with it. Make a throwaway account. Invest in a good VPN system, so you can post from anywhere in the world. Take care of yourself. I have shaken my head in disbelief at too many I have met here in the dark digital halls....