Would you rather be an established member of a community or would you prefer to remain anonymous?

I’m both. It’s all good.

I’d much rather be anonymous, simply because I’m really introverted. I guess it’d kind of depend on the community, though, because I can see wanting to be a member of one that pertains to things that I’m specifically interested in.

Can I clarify what you mean by an ‘established member of a community’ or ‘anonymous’. I ask because using Fluther as an example, I think we all use aliases rather than our real names, so we’re all anonymous here. However, many people are also not anonymous in the sense that they’ve been here for a long time and so are very familiar to the community. Some people have also been long-term members and have reinvented themselves.

I’ve established myself as an anonymous member of many communities.

In real life, the former.
In cyber life, the latter. “Anonymous” as in “nobody knows my name, address and similar personal information”

@EarthBound_Misfit I think of established as a multi-generational family with ties to a community over many years.

Anonymous would be a newcomer trying to find their way in a close-knit community.

I used to stay completely anonymous on the internet, but my time on Fluther has taught me how much fun an online community can be. I don’t miss my days as a newbie.

Funny, when I read this I wasn’t thinking internet community at all. I was just thinking about where I live or circles I am in.

I’m an extrovert by nature, but I don’t like to be established in the way that I am trying to have a lot if influence, especially not politically. I’ll show up for a town meeting once in a while, but I’m not looking to be a prominent member so to speak. I’m interested in politics, and feel it is important to be up to speed and add your voice, but I would say I fall short on actually doing much regarding it for more than one reason.

For more socially oriented things I’d say I tend to be established and like that. It’s all fun: dinners, parties, hanging out with friends, and planning time together.

On the internet I’m probably more known than I would like to be in retrospect. I like being an established member here, but sometimes I wish I had more anonymity. Facebook I regret not always keeping commentary fairly lighthearted and fun. Facebook is not the place for too much serious, just like real life. I have to say Facebook can bring a smile to my face. When I get on there and write a bunch of silly stuff it can be great fun. If I were too anonymous there I probably wouldn’t get the same participation from friends.

Both and neither in different circumstances.

In my real life, where I live now, everyone is fairly insular. That suits me fine at the moment although I do think it’s a bit sad that there isn’t more of a developed community environment. I’d be happy to be less ‘anonymous’. In my work community, I’m certainly involved and not anonymous but I have no desire to take that relationship further.

Online, I’m usually anonymous with the exception of a very small group of people, but I think I’m part of the Fluther community to the extent that you can be a part of an online community and I do connect with people beyond this space.

Anonymous. Some people seem to be judgmental and not able to comprehend people that live different lifestyles.

I’d prefer to be an established member of an anonymous community online. In the real world I prefer to just be.

I keep getting interupted here at work.. if I were anonymous for realz this wouldn’t happen.

Anonymous…dodoo do doodoo, anonymous…do doodoo do…

In the community I live in, I am low key but of course, not anonymous. I don’t understand how, in real life, someone could remain anonymous unless we’re referring to donating to charity or something. I am wondering if the OP was referring to living life in a low key mode, as opposed to “anonymous.” Online, on Fluther, of course I prefer to remain anonymous because if friends or family figured out who I am, they would have a field day with reading my posts. To my Fluther friends who know me on FB, I feel like it brings us closer, because some here know things about me that people in real life don’t even know,

I guess my question was worded poorly. I’m sorry. I recently moved to a new town that is small and I’m trying to find my place in the community. I like being new to the community. It’s nice to have a fresh start where everyone doesn’t know your entire history and past mistakes. Of course I can’t stay new or anonymous forever here, but I’m enjoying being the new person. This was the inspiration for my question.

We all experience moments when we are new. We may join a group, start a new job, move or join a new online community. Some of us may like this transition while others find it difficult. That’s where my head was at when asking.