about 10 years ago when I first discovered forums I used to pretend to be much older/younger, a different ethnicity, even the opposite sex.
the reason I did it was always the same, to see first hand how different people of different nationalities, ages, and gender get treated by those who can anonymously say what they really think.
it was an eye opening experience, this is when I first truly discovered that the world is an incredibly sexist, ageist and racist place where people judge subconsciously and consciously at every turn.
for example, dogsbody, do you think you would have replied to robins threads the same way had you known? do you think any of us guys would reply so kindly to Suki's comments?
hehe sorry Suki but it's true! You really push the whole in-your-face-equality thing around a lot :P
and if you were a guy I wouldn't have said it so kindly :P
I often find myself thinking "damn, if I'd known I might have softened the blows..."