This is the ‘real world’ equivalent of a bouncer at the front of every retail store, restaurant, library or little league ball park … Fill out the paperwork, sign the waiver - oops, I mean agree to the Terms of Service - and you’re in.

We’ve become numb to ‘opt-in’ … largely due to the fact that we’ve learned no click, no participation. Over time our pavlovian numbness also extended to co-opt, not opt-in techniques … No click, no data (this field required), no participation.

In short, we have direct marketers to thank for the words opt-in and opt-out. However, once turbo-charged by the Internet, they take on a whole new meaning. The one word that is noticeably absent in the interaction conversation is co-opt …

Co-Opt … to take or assume for one's own use; appropriate

Well, if someone has opted-in, they’ve agreed to give us their data (this field required), correct? It says so in the Terms of Service.

Sneak preview of the Pseuds Access widget. Coming soon.

Your name is the key to your identity and reputation. To most of us it is truly our most personal asset. Your name, including your associated persona is very valuable. Ask Tiger Woods. (Eldrick "Tiger" Woods, who changed his name legally to Tiger Woods). On the internet your name is exposed for the world to see, friend, poke, index, correlate, track and spam.

The next time someone asks your name … feel free to reply “Which one?” and ponder “Why do they need to know?” …

Back to the "Which one?" question ... anthroponym or pseudonym?

An Anthroponym is the name of a human being.

A Pseudonym, also known as an alias, is used by an individual as an alternative to a person's legal name. In most legal systems, a name assumed for a non-fraudulent purpose is a legal name and usable as the person’s true name

Enough *nyms? Read on.