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Belle de Jour's History of Anon

Belle de Jour's History of Anon: Episode 5: Identity and Control

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Episode 5

Episode 5: Identity and Control

Identity and Control

BBC Radio 4 - Belle de Jour's History of Anon, Identity and Control

Brooke Magnanti considers modern pseudonyms and managing personas.

Brooke Magnanti considers modern pseudonyms and managing personas, and asks what happens when an anonymous voice is unmasked.

A history of anonymity and why writers have sought it, as told by Brooke Magnanti, the real voice behind one of the 21st century's most famous anonymous texts, Belle de Jour's Diary of a London Call Girl. Brooke explores motivations for remaining masked and the lengths the anonymous have gone to in order to remain unnamed. She draws on her own experiences to reveal how the concept of anonymity has changed - and how both writers and readers have dealt with it. From life or death to trivial and bitchy, juggling open disclosure with the withholding of vital information, Brooke shows us that whilst we may not know their names, the anonymous have long shaped our worldview.

Here, Brooke ponders the impact of anonymity on the anonymous themselves. She speaks to other people who have used anonymity about their experiences and the different ways in which they have played with the concept - and finds out what happened when they were unmasked.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Brooke Magnanti, author of the Belle de Jour blog, explores anonymity through the ages

Brooke Magnanti, the formerly anonymous author of the Belle de Jour blog, explores anonymity through the ages

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Belle de Jour's History of Anon

Episode 5: Identity and Control

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