Online Anonymity
Posted 10-05-2012 at 06:59 AM by James1202
Anonymity tends to bring out the worst in people. I see a day when online ID's will require the use on one's real name and the registration of an address; both of which will be verified by site administrators in a central world wide [web] database. I see little harm in this as many people, by virtue of reknown or profession, are identified in such a way already. On those sites in which everyone presumably uses their real name and location civility reigns. Too many people fan the flames of what could be a civil discussion if it weren't for their anonymity to be mean, crass, and cruel.
Anonymity also prevents one's credentials of expertise to be properly respected. While this may be a personal choice of humility, and a defense of anonymity, the quality of online discourse could be greatly increased if one knew the source of comments made.
By accident, I discovered I was going back and forth with a professor of economics who'd written a number of professional papers about the "Middle Class". I would have "upped" my end of the discussion much earlier if I had known this person could "handle it" (follow along). The discussion would have been more productive earlier.
Also, without anonymity, everyone could similarly connect with others to similarly exchange ideas in a civil manner without having to "accidentally" make a social connection first.
Just a thought.
Anonymity also prevents one's credentials of expertise to be properly respected. While this may be a personal choice of humility, and a defense of anonymity, the quality of online discourse could be greatly increased if one knew the source of comments made.
By accident, I discovered I was going back and forth with a professor of economics who'd written a number of professional papers about the "Middle Class". I would have "upped" my end of the discussion much earlier if I had known this person could "handle it" (follow along). The discussion would have been more productive earlier.
Also, without anonymity, everyone could similarly connect with others to similarly exchange ideas in a civil manner without having to "accidentally" make a social connection first.
Just a thought.
Total Comments 0
