I find the use of pseudonyms interesting.

As I read posts and comments by Shadow Minister, I'm reminded of this.

Why do we arbitrarily assume that because some posts are under the pseudonym Shadow Minister, this must be Julie Bishop?

Who assumes Shadow Minister is Julie Bishop?...not me.

Worldwatcher from his posts, I think shadow minister is a he, who spends most of his time quite some distance from Canberra.

If you look at Shadow's posting history, you will find that their first post was on the 18th Sept 2007.

The federal election where the conservatives lost power was 24th November. Before that Julie Bishop was an actual minister.

I'd say that assuming that it's her would be wrong. Besides, most of what Shadow writes is just run-of-the mill conservative opinion with a bit of gossip and shiz-stirring.

Members of parliament actually write full pieces for OLO, and the Right Honourable Ms Bishop writes quite a few...

I have it on good authority SM is actually Gerard Henderson, aka Nancy.

Can you bear it?

Dear worldwatcher,

I guess we'll never know.

But does it really matter who the people
are behind their pseudonyms? Isn't it
more interesting in what they post and
whether we can learn something from the
issues being discussed?

I think I have asked 20 times about SM and even named him as both Bishops, Pyne, and many more.
A truth is it is not our business.
We have had many threads, even more posts in existing threads, asking why we fail to name ourselves.
Let me be clear, it can be dangerous to name our self.
I and at least, one other found that out, my true name is known as I gave it out after being challenged.
An idiot, came to my door because of it, left faster than became.
We should, at all costs, not fall in to the face book trap.
But while I may one day find out who SM is who truly cares?

You can't assume from Shadow Ministers pseudonym that he is a real shadow minister. I'm fairly sure that Poirot is not really a fictional detective and that worldwatcher is not really a purple cartoon alien. Hasbeen might be telling the truth.

I like Houellebecq's theory. I've heard it before and Shadow Minister has never denied it.

Cheers,

Tony

I actually do have rats, and take other peoples children.

:)

Only rugrats I presume, TPP?

Noooo Trev, real ones. They make very cool pets. And my daughter has pet snakes so she has rats for a rather different reason.

What is “Wm”?

What is “Wm”? Standard contraction of William. From at least Elizabethan era, maybe earlier?

Works the opposite way from Houellebecq being the long form for the interjection 'Hou' in French or in English: 'Boo' - if you're unkind - 'Wow' if you're not.

Was it SM that said he was a power station engineer ?
Does not sound like Julia Bishop.

IMHO Shadow Minister
Is a sinister minister

Thanks Trev, so I can call Houel Boo? That’s the best news.

It’s not easy choosing a name on many sites or services, so many you want are already taken.

Does OLO have FB?

The thing I find interesting about our pseudonyms is why they are chosen and to try and imagine the person.

Some give little hints as to their character and background. Others are more open about their occupation and where they live. I suppose I have given more away than I should, but who would be interested anyway.

We have, and have had, some real characters here and are a very diverse group. Surprized at times with the knowledge some have on subjects.

I chose Banjo to remind all of a great Australian poet. I love australiana and grew up on Lawson, Paterson, Steel Rudd and others. Talking to young people, I think little is now taught in schools these days and even our colonial history, which is a pity. I also enjoy Banjo blue grass music. Once taught, who could forget 'My Country', 'The man from Ironbark', 'The bush christening', 'Ballad of the Drover' or 'On our selection'.

SM has no soul…just a platform…describes most pollies.

Banjo and Lexi,

It's just a fun exercise for me - to work out rightly or wrongly the kind of person behind the psuedonym they use.

Better than watching mindless drivel on t.v. as well. For instance just for illustration purposes, from his comments I deduce Hasbeen and myself are almost from the same era, and suspect you are too Bazz. But it really matters to no-one does it?

As I said before, it's just a fun thing., and gives me a break from my serious side.

I have just found this gem. An entire thread about me!!

To those that have asked, I have given most details except my name:

To regurgitate it:

Professionally, I am an engineer, with years of experience in power and control systems in heavy industry. And coming from a profession where a mistake can cost lives, discipline is needed to dispassionately find and remove the weaknesses, and where assumptions and idealism are not regarded as strengths.

I chose shadowminister in 2007 not because I have any interest in running for politics, but because a shadow minister, whilst having no real power, has the purpose hold those with power to account. I am not actually a member of any party, but make no bones that I think Labor is corrupt and incompetent, and the greens are a joke.

"An entire thread about me!!" Not necessarily... some of us responded based on the title rather than the first comment.

At times, each of us probably think there is enough stroking going on in comments without the need to extend it to other people's egos.

Some topics attract a profusion of comments typed with one hand - the other being occupied - and I cite typos and ungrammatical sentences as proof.

Agre dim't youu.?

My over inflated ego and inability to read must have blinded me to this.