Thanks, Joe, I didn't see a way to reply to you off-forum in your user profile, so I'll follow up here. I sent pg the link to the subthread opened by your grandparent comment to your comment here, and asked him if the HN software allows changing a username with preservation of records of user submissions and comments. I told him I'd be happy to change my user name (and suggested a new one) if the HN software makes that possible. The software is not configured that way, pg told me, so I guess after 1301 days here I'm at risk to my reputation with this same user name I started with. On his part, pg also told me he didn't think my user name is a problem for the HN forum, but I appreciate your concern, and I thank you for drawing it to my attention. See you in the threads. (P.S. I looked up some of your previous comments in the same threads where I've commented before, by site-restricted Google search, and I see we share some interests and you have a thoughtful perspective on several issues I care about.)