h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi Tony
I guess I want to ask you something... I would like to say from the outset that I don't mean to offend, insult or criticise you in any way. (this may not prevent me, but at least I'll try) I'd just like to understand you better. I'd also like to say that while I'm straight myself I think that people shouldn't be given grief about whatever their sexual orientation happens to be, and I don't think that the law should treat people differently because they are "gay" than it would if they were "straight".

What I don't understand is this:
When I wrote my homepage introduction, the first thing I did was think, "Who am I?" and my answer was "Joanna". The second thing was, "What am I?" the answer to this was "I'm a student". The third thing was, "What else defines me?" so I put down my interests, and places online I like to go.
I suppose when you got to the "what am I" stage of my reasoning (in the unlikely event that anyone else reasons the same way I do) you put that quote, and say "I'm here to inject a little bit of equality onto this website!"
Fair enough (nervous smilie)
But I don't get why you appear to define yourself by your sexual orientation. See, I visit your page looking for some of you, and I imagine in the event that you visit my page you'd be looking for some of me. But why is the only thing you tell me is that you're gay? I don't mean to insult or criticise here, I'm just very curious.
Is it because you're accustomed to prejudice? To people using the word "gay" as an insult?
Obviously you have a right to anonymity, and and not to be judged by whether or not you choose to say who your favourite band is. But see, when I think of myself, it doesn't occur to me to tell you I'm straight, or what colour my skin is, or that I have curly hair...

Joanna

No offense taken, because you've hit upon something true. The answer is very simple - this page is devoted to one side of me. The rest of me lives elsewhere on h2g2.

Oh. okay...
*looks a tiny bit confused*

Isn't that clear? I have multiple personalities (at least here!).

Yeah, I have too... me, my fish, and my other person who doesn't seem to have very many opinions on anything... I can see that this part of you is very important... and I may know you too... but its like, I have nothing in common with you except split personallities from the information I can gather....

Sorry Joanna followed you here.

I expect that if Tony's other personality is a regular contributer that both you and I probably do know him. However, he has set up this alternative persona to bring to the attention of other researchers something he feels is imprtant whilst not distracting from his other persona/s. Probably a wise move when you consider the sensitivity of the issue and the possible discussings that could now be attached to this page.

If I do know you Tony in another form but even if we don't, I think what you have done with the M2M2 page is very worthwhile and I wish you every sucess with it.

DD

Yeah I know... and I think the M2M2 thing is laudable. I guess I don't like the idea of knowing but not knowing. Thats all.
Joanna (who can't find the words to say what she feels and is frustrated by it)

I suppose its a shame that people should feel the need to keep anonymity over a part of them. I see the point now, of the separate identity, but it seems sad. I hope it doesn't remain like this.

You know, what you say is quite fair, and I am in no way trying to be deliberately secretive, just trying to keep various different areas separate. I don't see myself as using this user to contribute - basically just to organise M2M2. Think of the Post's front page - that's a user page, purely so it can track comments, etc...

okay. I have a way to think of it. Thats okay now, thanks.

Its thingy. Much clearer now.
And I'm very glad you put the link to you other self.

Joanna (who is many)

Well we're all relieved it's thingy Joanna.

DD (who is also many)

I try to type as I'd speak. The use of "thingy" indicates "I'm searching for the word here, I've lost the majority of my vocabulary and am none too pleased about it..." but happily I usually remember what I meant to say directly after I type the word "thingy".


Joanna (who is many-er than you, or probably not, but at least my original alter ego lasted longer)

I outed my original Alter Ego for a reason though.

So???

:Þ

And I'm glad to be thingy!!!

Of that there is no doubt.

Really???