That's the thing - I like the idea of being who I am online, with a name and a reputation (for good or ill) attached to it. I do try to be the same person online (well, maybe with a slightly better filter and better graphics). Facebook is a necessary evil - I would love to duplicate the relationships I have there with other people elsewhere online, but it's just really not likely to happen.

I was re-reading "Fan is a Tool Using Animal" (https://idlewords.com/talks/fan_is_a_tool_using_animal.htm) where Maciej reflects on how fandom has a much higher commitment to privacy and values anonymity, and I think that concept really shaped the way I think about being in online fandom.

(Sidenote: remember MsScribe and the absurd fallout of her sock puppet army?)

Tumblr was 100000% terrible at actual interpersonal conversations. It was great for being like, "Here's 20 cool things a minute!" but awful for connecting you to the people making or curating or editing those things. Thank god for AO3 or I'd never figure out who anyone really was online.