My friend @shortcut made a post some days ago where he nominated me to, or rather asked politely if I wanted to, take part in Steemit Name Challenge, one of the many challenge-games that haunt the internet. As this was not about me filming myself putting a bucket of cold water over the head, eating cinnamon or dancing Harlem Shake, and as people have asked about my pseudonym, I will of course gladly submit, except of course to giving my real name. That would be against the logic of a secret name, wouldn't it?

Here are the rules of the challenge:

1. Tell us in a post how you chose the current Steemit username you have. The story behind it.
2. Tell us your real name!
3. If you could change your current username, which name would you choose and why? If you have a possible usernames list, mention it!
4. Use the tag #steemitnamechallenge so that the creator of the challenge can track all the posts and check them out
5. Nominate 5 people for this challenge

Katharsisdrill

1 - I always had a lot of internet names, and before that it was computer game names. I actually do not remember the first time I used Katharsisdrill, but I think it was used as a profile name on some long forgotten website. It was not something I gave a lot of thought to, I made it up in seconds, probably inspired by something I saw on the screen. It was made up before 2013, because I used it as my username on my first profile on Diaspora. I still use that profile, but only for closed family posting.

The name consists of two parts: Katharsis, which is the romanised spelling of the greek, κάθαρσις, meaning "purification" or "cleansing". Beside the obvious use of the word it is also a concept used in philosophical aesthetics. The use of the word in this context was invented by the ancient Greek philosopher and scientist Aristotle meaning the purging and uplifting effect art can have on the soul. In English it is called Catharsis with a C.

The second part is drill, hinting at underground dealings, realms of dirt and death, but also at finding treasures or secrets. Somehow this contradictory name appealed to me and when I started making digital art I made a fast decision and choose it as my pseudonym.

The insignia

There is more...

The first time I used it for a profile where it also served as a name was on my Bandcamp page. When creating the profile I made an insignia or logo. I used a golden Mochica headdress, as I was interested in the pre-Columbian South American cultures at the time. I added a golden drill.

My original insignia

After some years I made a new version that seemed a bit more like Germanic or Celtic art as my own art was turning more in the direction of my forefathers' culture.

My new insignia

Anonymity

2 - It would be a violation of the rules I have for using this pseudonym if I were to reveal my real name so I will skip this point.

3 - I still invent names all the time, but I guess that I will stick to this one for this project. I have considered though making a supplementary name for NSFW art. A dark Katharsisdrill, but I haven't really gotten around making saucy stuff yet so it will probably be when the need arise.

Nominations

I have decided to reuse @shortcuts polite invitation.

5 - I'd really like to know the origins of the usernames of @nevies (preferably with an extended explanation to all the Greek gods he is in family with), @evilhippie, @slobberchops, @nyarlathotep and @nekromarinist, but I somehow don't like challenges, which require nominating others. So this is not a nomination, but more an invitation. Feel free to skip this, if you don't like being nominated.