A short response to L. Detweiler: 'I exist as myself.'

[gtoal@an-teallach.com (Graham Toal)]

In article <9311110714.AA19967@ah.com> hughes@ah.com writes:
 > L. Detweiler's recent article on the RISKS of confusing an online
 > identity with a potentially knowable physical one are quite
 > interesting, if hypothetical.
 > 
 > I would be interested in hearing of situations where this practice
 > has actually occurred.  If any RISKS members know of any such
 > incidents from first-hand experience, please share them with the
 > readership.

I can tell a fascinating tale about spoofed identities that happened
on a mailing list I was on a couple of years ago; but it's a *very*
long story and I haven't the time.  Maybe if I'm idle over the
christmas holidays I'll pull up a log, sit down, and tell the story
(if I'm bribed with enough drinks first :-) )

G
(For anyone else here who's on that list, it's the story of Mahalingam
et al...)
PS Also I'm aware of quite a culture of 'she-males' in certain groups
and IRC where men pose as women - usually lesbians - usually to get other
real lesbians to confide in them (for the purposes of their own arousal...)
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