I do have two data identities. I have my name, Bruce Sterling, which is my public name under which I write novels. I also have my other name, which is my legal name under which I own property and vote.

In this quote, Bruce Sterling, a renowned science fiction writer and futurist, discusses the concept of having two distinct data identities. The first is his public name, Bruce Sterling, under which he is known in the literary world, writes novels, and engages with the public. The second is his legal name, which he uses for more official and personal matters such as owning property and exercising his right to vote. This distinction highlights the separation between a person's public persona and their legal identity in a digital age where personal information is often fragmented and compartmentalized.

Sterling's mention of data identities reflects the increasing complexity of how individuals present themselves and are represented in various systems. While his public identity is shaped by his work as an author, his legal identity is tied to governmental records and legal structures. This duality underscores the tension between privacy and publicity, as well as the way in which modern technology can create multiple, sometimes conflicting, representations of a person in different domains.

By separating these two identities, Sterling is also commenting on the broader societal shift where personal data is increasingly managed, controlled, and separated by different institutions and platforms. Whether it's for professional, legal, or social purposes, people now navigate various facets of their lives under different names, roles, and forms of identity.

The origin of this quote comes from Sterling’s exploration of digital identity and technology's influence on modern life. As a futurist, he has often written about how technology impacts personal and societal structures, and this quote is an example of his broader reflections on how the digital world shapes the way we live and present ourselves. It also speaks to his understanding of how technology divides, redefines, and sometimes complicates our personal identities in the digital era.