Anonymity

Readers will see that I have slightly edited the "About" block at the top-right corner of the site. This is because I have noticed that some google variations on my name turn up this site.

I have never worried that someone who already reads the site might work out who I am. If someone reads blogs already, then I suspect that they already know and understand their limitations. But I do worry about the reverse: that someone who wants to know who I am would find this site. This new development on google has made this a distinct possibility.

"Some readers might judge my ability as a philosopher from my words here. I hope such people use the correct comparison class. This is your handwritten notes for your own reference, and not your published work."

But, you might object, that isn't the correct comparison class. Your words here really are published, for anyone to see.

But this is not quite correct. My words here are not published in the sense of "publically attached to my name". At least, if they are, I had not intended for this to be the case.

My aim with this blog was to have somewhere to store my notes. If anyone is interested enough to read these notes, then it feels unnecessary to deny them. This remains my understanding of this blog.

This is why I see this as my notepad that just so happens to be public, and not a publication that just so happens to be my notepad. I just hope anyone who turns me up on google understands this to be the case.

Any comments on the merits or problems of blogging are welcome. Do you worry that your comments on the internet will be found by potential employers? Should you so worry?