IS THERE A WAY TO KNOW WHO SUBSCRIBES TO YOUR WORK?

My my...I think you might be a bit paranoid, Libby.

You describe your position as being from a place of safety, and it's something we've all gotten used to on the internet at large. Unless you're using your actual real-life name as your username, there's always a level of anonymity. No one knows anything about you beyond how you present yourself in your posts, and I can see why that's comforting. However, I don't think your fears are entirely founded.

Because the internet is inherently anonymous, things like subscriptions are just another way of expressing yourself. Similar to Likes on Facebook or Faves on dA, you're showing part of yourself through the action alone. Personally, I've never been fond of Likes and Faves; as a creator, I find them extremely hollow. With Watches (or subs, in this case), it's a different story. Anybody can click a button to Like something instantly, but to subscribe to something is to say "I'm interested enough in this thing to be notified of what it's doing." That's all that can truly be construed from it, but people read into these things all the time. It seems those assumptions are the basis of your aversion.

I'd like to say it gets better, but there's nothing that can be done to stop people from assuming things about you. Opinions are formed even just from things you post on the forum. Subs are more enigmatic because they could mean anything, but that's something creators need to learn to cope with. Admittedly, having them be anonymous makes that happen, since no other course of action is possible.

However, unlike your example of the divide between creators and their audience, we have a unique situation here where the two are united very closely. Anonymity may be the norm for the professional industries, but we have a community here, and I think knowing your subs could help foster that. Subs might make you feel obligated to post on game profiles, but that's something you have to come to terms with as a follower of those games. Really, no one's under any obligation to do anything around here. It's not like we're being paid. Creators and subscribers both need to recognize that, and it's much easier to do from behind the glass, but it's not impossible to achieve with the wall torn down. After all, you still get those invasive PMs on other sites, and it's not the end of the world there, right?{/armchair psychologist}

I guess my main beef with this whole thing is that's it's really not a big deal. GRS says we're proactively preventing the crime, but that's like...having police stationed to pick up litter. The consequences are minimal, but I guess the payoff is too. It's easiest to do nothing, so that's probably what'll happen.

from GoatBoy
It's a bit belittling to dismiss someone's anxiety as paranoia, just saying. Everybody is afraid of being judged, some more so than others.

Personal growth doesn't happen through hiding behind walls, just saying. If a developer is fretting over one lost sub, then they have something to learn. I don't mean to dismiss Libby's anxiety, nor will I pretend I know exactly what I'm talking about. This is just what makes the most sense to me.

Your boil down is pretty accurate. I feel like I have more to say, but I have no idea what at the moment.

It remains a matter of fact that people will make assumptions about their subscribers (as they do more than put a like .. although it really isn't that much more, technically, either). Especially those who would really want to know who's subscribing them. I'm a realist, and I know enough folks.
So paranoia is going a little overboard. Noone is saying how dreadful it is, either. Just not pleasant.

I just don't believe that subscribing equals saying "I'm into this game", and it shouldn't substitute that, either. If I really support a game, I'll say so myself. I think that staying anonymous actually encourages direct contact rather than letting a subscribe say it for them.

from GreatRedSpirit
A user should have all the say in how much they want to engage in the community and a right to privacy. Subscribing isn't a means to engage the community, it's to follow a game.

Oh, please. You make it sound like they'd be getting more than they bargained for.

I'm trying to see this from both sides, and the whole thing looks pretty ridiculous. For those who want to know, it's curiosity alone. The info is useless to them. Even if they wanted to contact these people, they could do so with a single blog post. On the flip side, the subs who want to remain anonymous feel that way for no reason. They have nothing to lose, whether they realize it or not.

This is a public forum. Everything you post on here can be viewed by literally anyone. How is subscribing different from any other action you take on this site? You're still putting your name out there. You're showing your opinions, people are reading them, and they're judging you for it. Even our lockers aren't private. It's not like your interests are something to be ashamed of. You post on the forums and talk about the games you love, but for people to see the list of things you follow here? Oh, damn. I don't want Craze to know I like Pom Gets Wi-Fi.

Personally, I'd like to see the veil lifted just so the people who can't take it go scurrying while the ones who stay learn to be comfortable with their choices. Which, I'd like to reiterate, are completely meaningless. They have no importance or relevance to anything, and any social obligations felt are subjective to your culture or self-imposed.

The fear is irrational. The curiosity is also irrational, but at least it isn't based in something potentially limiting on an individual level. This whole thing is incredibly silly.

Trolling? A little, I guess. I wouldn't post it if I didn't think it.

ARE YOU JUDGING ME GRS

I CAN'T HANDLE THAT I'M OUT

lol The solution to this 'problem' (like with every other topic of this nature) was suggested from moment one, but it was not even given the time of the day. I can't really blame anyone, though. I guess it's way more fun to argue the more radical aspects of any idea... But to reiterate: Allow people to check a box to remain anonymous if they so desire, and let the rest satisfy their curiosity in peace. It's -exactly- like with the option to see who it's currently reading the forums. People didn't want that either, but it was done nonetheless, and the site didn't crumble under it's own weight. All some of us had to do was check a box and the world kept on spinning as usual.

About it not being 'important' information and whatnot; sure, but so is every monthly stat topic. Who the hell cares who has the longest post-count in any give month, anyway? ...Uh. You all do, apparently. So I guess you can also understand why knowing who subscribes to what games is information that some people may want to know. Information some may even find useful. Because there's nothing stopping this from being in benefit of both subscriber AND developer - nothing but our own prejudices, of course.

Edit: In, out, both are the same thing for all intents an purposes. But if the principle matters that much, sure. Opt-out anonymity then.

Okay, so I didn't think that one through. I still think it's not a big deal, and any anxiety people feel about their anonymity being violated is groundless. Also, alterego does have a good point there about allowing people to choose. You said yourself you choose to hide your online status. There's no reason that suggestion wouldn't work, unless it's too hard to implement for some reason (that's ankylo's territory).