The reality is that Outing an auction on this forum has little or no negative effect (Read: Higher sale price) on the outcome as the very nature of this forum, and its contributors, means that everyone have their eyes peeled on all the known auction sites around the world.
And if someone knows I am a Bond fan, then someone may helpfully bring my attention to an item. And if the Wanted Forum has a list of my Wants, then the damning information really is all to the fore.
There are so many contradictions, within even this site, as to what Outing means, never mind the ethos of the internet which I believe to be one of 'sharing information freely.'
It's an interesting conundrum. But my feeling is that if we Truly believe in the good of the internet and all that it offers, then we have to celebrate that, even when it 'could' directly not serve us on a personal level.
I would prefer to learn from all that goes on here on this forum, than to save £30 on a poster, once, maybe.
The greater good.