The new personal transparency

Lee Siegel, an editor & blogger at New Republic, used a pseudonym to post comments on his own blog to defend himself against critics. (Story at NY Times). Part of his explanation:

Everyone seems to be fleeing from the responsibilities that come from being who you are. I think that is why the blogosphere is thriving. It allows people to develop a fantasy self.

Of course, everyone has a 'public self', but this treats your blogging persona more like an MMORPG avatar. Events like this, and the outing of Lonelygirl15, show there are unresolved issues about identity on the web.