Is an identity something we are born with, or is it something that grows? Have the perceptions on what is an identity changed over the last 10 years? Should we distinguish between digital identities and our real identity, and if we do, is there not a risk that whatever we do as our digital identity will have an impact on our real identity?

If our identity is impacted by what we do, does this equate to our reputation? Could it be that an identity can build an on-line reputation, and could it be that this reputation could be completely separate from the reputation of the identity off-line?

 The objective of this thread is to define what is an identity? There are definitions.. in the areas of philosophy and sociology (check in Wikipedia) however nothing that really embraces how we live today on-line and off-line in what is commonly being labeled as the 'Information Age'.

I expect this forum to have some lively and somewhat controversial discussions, and with this in mind welcome to the first thread in the Identity and Privacy forum on the ISM community!

I love *** Hardts presentation about it at OSCON.

http://identity20.com/media/OSCON2005/

Let me offer something up; it's what defines who I am. Now what that inlcudes is the real question isn't it?

 Is your digital identity or identities a component of your real identity?

 I would say yes, they are all an extension of you in some way, shape, or form.  In fact, in the presentation he talked about reputation, which you influence but don't fully control.  If that reputation is digital or on a personal knowledge level doesn't make a difference.

Whether or not my face is attached to my body or floating around the Internet in a digital form doesn't make it any less part of my identity.  They context that it's being used may affect that, but that's a different question.

I agree that reputation is a part of our identity, and our online reputation can impact our digital identity and our real identity if we are using our real name, but what if you are using an alias for one or more of your digital identities?

klo:

what if you are using an alias for one or more of your digital identities?

In an esoteric way, they are still part of your identity, even if people don't know it's you or only know you as that alias.

Aren't multiple personalities are still part of the one person? An actor takes on may roles? Linux box broadcasting like it's a Windows box is still a Linux box?

A more applicable example would be that I have an alias for this forum, but the forum doesn't care if my name is Bob, Tom, Frank, Lisa, or whatever.  The forum only really cares about is to authentic "ebreece", because that part of my identity is what is a member of the forum (i.e., the forum doesn't care if I'm old enough to buy sheep). :)

 

ebreece:

klo:

what if you are using an alias for one or more of your digital identities?

 

In an esoteric way, they are still part of your identity, even if people don't know it's you or only know you as that alias.

Aren't multiple personalities are still part of the one person? An actor takes on may roles? 

I agree with this, and this is the approach we will use to define an identity within the ID and Privacy guide.