I thought I'd take a crack at answering your question. A lot of hobbyists create a persona too. It's more than just changing their name. They say they have a different job (perhaps is what they really wanted to do), they say they're from a different place, things along these lines.
Essentially, they create for themselves a whole different person. Maybe it's who they really want to be or maybe it's one that will make hobbying more exciting for them. There are thousands of reasons but the result is the same. It's a shield that protects them from things like a psycho provider all the way to protecting their feelings. I remember that assfuck guy who said he wore disguises to sessions, I don't mean that. That's guy was a wingnut. Just changing a few details in your story to keep you safe and to make it more fun. The key to having a great time is all in the mind, after all. Am I on the right track here?
Originally Posted by Dharma
Dharma, we've only met once and what impressed me most was you are very intelligent. Well, skilled too, but pretty damned smart. I enjoyed talking computers with you.
I've never been a very good actor or liar. If something is too personal (usually something that may ID me), I can't lie but I can change the subject or say it is getting too close to home. Perhaps my openness makes me assume others are the same. From that, vulnerability grows. It is more likely in a real life connection than in the hobby where some level of deception and privacy is paramount.
What you say is correct in that we hide parts of our lives in the hobby even if we are truthful in what we do divulge. For true emotions to develop, the whole must be known. It is who we are.
For some reason,this reminds me of a signature line I saw recently: "Be yourself, everyone else is taken".