If somone did actually find out who you really are, would that be of any difference to you?

depends on who found out. some do know who I am. and it's great. others don't and that's even better.

It would, only because I have a stalker in real life. I feel safe here, because I haven't shared any details about myself. I would feel forced to delete my profile and stop posting here.

Otherwise, what you see on EP is what you get in real life with me, pretty much.

Snowlady,

I truly wish people in "Real Life" would discover the

person you see on E.P!

I am so happy on here!!

It would actually be a blessing!

Those I already trust, it would make no difference, those I don't trust, no I don't want them in any area of my life, including EP.

Actually being on here has made me open up a bit more and now the questions and confessions I had bottled up don't seem so "bad" anymore. Reading other stuff on here lets me know that others have qualms about life too.

I honestly am not that sure. On one hand, I am completely myself online. I try to be as open and honest as I can. So having someone find out who I am wouldn't bother me since I haven't lied or been dishonest about anything. On the other hand, I'm not always completely myself around people in real life. I fear to be too vunerable with people I see day in and day out. So to have someone on EP to find out who I am and to see me in my real life... they may see some "contridictions"... but I hope that there wouldn't be too many.

Not really. The me you see here is pretty much the me you see in "real life". I'm guarded here. I'm guarded there. I won't confess anything here. I won't confess anything there.

Not a whole lot, as a political activist I feel a responsibility
to be before the public

I have several people on here from my real life so it is not a huge deal if others know who I am. I even use my real first name on here when I sign letters and stuff so I don't think it could get much different.

If the person was nice and loving and liked who I am then I would not mind that at all. For the most part though I am the same person on EP as I am in real life. Maybe better looking here on EP though!

at one point in my life I would have said yes. I associated with a group of people who were very critical of others. They were very judgemental. I would not have liked for them to know "the real me." I would have been rejected. I came to realize that they were not the people that I wanted in my life. It has been a year now since I have broke ties with them. My life is less stressful not having someone over me dictating my every move. I feel free.
Today, however, I would have to say that there are only a few people that I allow close enough to see inside me. But if someone from outside my chosen circle sees who I am, it wouldn't bother me. Actually if they were to ask me about an area of my life chances are that I would tell them. I am not ashamed of my beliefs. I do not share them with everyone due to people's tendency to be critcal. But I am not ashamed.

no difference at all. i like myself, and i can't imagine not being genuine. i can be taken at face value and feel comfortable. i take others at face value. we're all OK, warts and all.

I actually had two people at work figure out this was my place to hang out...but no difference at all. Plus I have real life friends and love on EP..It hasn't really changed anything in any major way.

it would kill me because i come here to be able to get everything off my chest......something i dnt have the guts to do it to anyone's face

No - but I think it would only be polite to be properly introduced! :-)

It would probably be okay with me, a little strange, but okay.

Wouldn't change me at all. I'm the same sarcastic smartass in person that I am in cyberspace...

No, I'm naturally open and don't hide anything. The air of mystery is a new experience for me and it's quite nice, but I find myself really wanting to know more about the real people behind the nice names and supportive messages. As far as I'm aware I don't know anyone on here in real life, so irrelevant really.