What about people who hide behind anonymity when they write comments in the internet?
In my opinion this is the dark side when you are empowered by the fact that you dont have to be liable for your opinions.
Im saying this because I met Jeff Jarvis from buzzmachine.com and Michael Arrington from TechCrunch.com and they told me that they are insulted every single day and in the case of Arrington someone even spat on his face.
If we stood by our opinions, I think we should put our name next to it. However, if you go to any newspaper site and click on comments, you see that most people use nicknames in order to insult what people do.
So, I would like to hear your opinion on anonymity in the internet.
Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir_ZiwNUq9w
I am reposting your video question, some times they do not work.
I agree that there is a darkside,
The internet is a powerful and still very new medium for the exchange of information, it is to communicate and learn from, there are many motives for using it and not all of them are good. The best way for people combat the ugly parts of the web is to not participate in them and make sure that the work we do is better. There are a lot of safeguards that can be used, and anonomity is one that is very important even though it can be abused. Walking down the street most of us do not want to wear around our neck a big tag with our name on it, and we generally behave with considerably more reserve on public street because to not do so can be dangerous. The internet is not any different. I have read both of the blogs you are talking about and much of the material is not reserved and these men have put the tag around their necks. We do not live in a world where men can act with impunity in the public eye. I am sorry someone spat in Michael Arrington’s face.The angry remarks however are the nature of certian subjects in public. It seems to me that they are enjoying the battleground more than they are letting on. I have seen you on the red carpet, it is a disapline as well as a gift to be loved, and much of what these men write about on their blogs just does not command the same type of admiration in the heart of the public. I was told once that there were three choices to anything I did not like, Repair it, Accept it or Leave it. I believe Karma is a real action in life and it is not kindness and compassion on the part of these men that is driving their problems.
Just my opinion. As always good question.
They hide because they’re afraid of the truth…that they’re not worthy of having others know who they are. However, we choose our path. We choose what we ingest…here on the Internet or out there in the world. If they were honest with themselves, they either would let others know who they are…or…not post such nonsense online where they are cloaked by anonymity. (BTW: this is my real name.)
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I am reposting your video question, some times they do not work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir_ZiwNUq9w
I agree that there is a darkside,
The internet is a powerful and still very new medium for the exchange of information, it is to communicate and learn from, there are many motives for using it and not all of them are good. The best way for people combat the ugly parts of the web is to not participate in them and make sure that the work we do is better. There are a lot of safeguards that can be used, and anonomity is one that is very important even though it can be abused. Walking down the street most of us do not want to wear around our neck a big tag with our name on it, and we generally behave with considerably more reserve on public street because to not do so can be dangerous. The internet is not any different. I have read both of the blogs you are talking about and much of the material is not reserved and these men have put the tag around their necks. We do not live in a world where men can act with impunity in the public eye. I am sorry someone spat in Michael Arrington’s face.The angry remarks however are the nature of certian subjects in public. It seems to me that they are enjoying the battleground more than they are letting on. I have seen you on the red carpet, it is a disapline as well as a gift to be loved, and much of what these men write about on their blogs just does not command the same type of admiration in the heart of the public. I was told once that there were three choices to anything I did not like, Repair it, Accept it or Leave it. I believe Karma is a real action in life and it is not kindness and compassion on the part of these men that is driving their problems.
Just my opinion. As always good question.
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MM
I personally believe that there are times when being anonymous and being able to hide your real identity is an important ability to have. For instance, truthfully speaking out against some types of corruption, government leaders, business bosses, police or even groups that are oppressing the local population. Instances where if the “bad guys” know who is, trying to remove the dishonest from power, by publishing and telling the truth about them could have very sever consequences to the person which is publishing the information or speaking out against the oppressors. Consequences ranging from something as minor as the person loosing their job and not being able to get work anywhere else. To something that has happened on more than one occasion to people that stand up against, report and try to fight the corruption here in the Philippines … they have literally received a bullet in the back of the head (or some other “tragic accident” that shortened the person’s life).
So, I do sincerely believe there are times for a person to be as anonymous and invisible as possible while trying to fight against some of the atrocities in the world around us.
HOWEVER, for a person to simply hide their identity so that they can be insulting or make obnoxious comments for no reason other than they can. Such things only show the immaturity, lack of responsibility, and just general uncouthness of the person making the unfounded and uncalled for comments.
It is no secret, if any one has read some of my comments on some topics; there are groups and organizations I have absolutely no love for. But as much as I despise some of the groups, I try not to let my comments be rude. Opinionated and forceful (perhaps overly so at times trying to make a point) but I try not to be rude or insulting. There is a difference.
The problem is as I said at the very beginning, there are times where one has to have the anonymity in order to be effective (or to stay alive). However, as with anything, there is a level of personal responsibility that sadly many people ignore.
For just because we CAN do something it does not mean we SHOULD.
But sadly it seems these days many people believe that if they CAN do something it is OK. Rationalizing that doing whatever is only wrong if there is someone, some rule, law or something to stop them. Thus removing responsibility from themselves.
I wonder how these same people that make the rude comments, insults, threats, etc. to people they really don’t know would feel if total strangers that know nothing about them started doing the same things to them?
Oh well, as with any thing, there are people that are good and responsible with what they say and do, and then there are the “scum buckets” that ruin everything for the rest of us.
I wish I had a good way to solve the problem, but for every freedom we have, there will always be some that will abuse it. Sadly often causing all of us to loose, including themselves though they often do not realize what they have done until it is too late.
May Our Creator watch over you and your family.
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That depends on the content/context you have with the Internet; if you are involved in controversial topics then you would probably enjoy the anonymity; people who have talk shows or are otherwise known to the public know the inherent risks in that role, and they chose to be in that environment so they have to also assume the risks…here in Y/A people feel free to tell their personal stories and to ask personal questions so that means anonymity is a necessity. Of course there will be those who abuse this but that goes with the territory and if every one was forced to reveal their IDs, this entire site would shut down because no one would use it.
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dear Mr. Coelho… (Paulo)
i agree. if people knew that their identity which is tied up with their name given from birth (or changed at a later date for various reasons… marriage etc) was being posted… they would be much more careful about the words that they choose to use… and they would respond with more respect, kindness, compassion for others and etc…
proper adab (manners) is something that is taught… and that is something that i am working very hard on learning. [i fearlessly post my name and take refuge in God from the evils of myself as well as from the evils of others. (insha'Allah)]
anonymity is the same as a mask… it allows the ego an opportunity to come out play… and it is full of mischief…
this is a site that i am studying and find it be very good… (regarding nafs or ego). i will share it in the spirit of love if you feel like you would like to take the time to view it… (insha’Allah… and all praise is for God)
http://www.sunnah.org/tasawwuf/jihad002.html
i appreciate that you post your name… and i know that you are genuinely Paulo Coelho… the author of "The Alchemist" and other beloved books. it is nice that you take the time to share your thoughts here on this open forum… thank you. Alhumdulillah!
love,
sean thurston
[La ilaha ill Allah... Subhana Allah wa bi hamdihi!]
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In a sense all of us who use this, or any other forum that purports anonymity are not as "anonymous" as we would think. Were we to say anything that required serious investigation, it would not take long before information in regards to our IP address, computer, et cetera would be used by authorities to disclose our identities. I think I understand what you are saying, however, and I agree. If a time came that I were required to defend or deny everything that I have said here or in other forums, I feel that I would not be ashamed to stick to my guns and back up all that I have said. I believe in being sincere and not using a veil of secrecy to live out a false version of one’s self – some sort of technological doppelgänger.
Though Anthony is my true forename, my reasons for not disclosing my full name have nothing to do with my philosophical or moral viewpoint. I have recently had a brush with identity theft. This is an unfortunate crime that targets many, and the Internet facilitates it in many respects. I think most people would be willing to attach their true name to their principles if other considerations were not a factor; their reasons for keeping their identity veiled might not have anything to do with said opinions.
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Anonymity is one of our few LAST PRECIOUS FREEDOMS in a world where total identification right down to DNA is being thrust down our throats as ‘protection’.
How many of the people who promote the demise of anonymity would be comfortable having all the world know their particular peccadilloes? It’s always easier to point the accusing finger at somebody else and yet I’m fairly sure those same pointers would scream about privacy rights should those fingers turn toward them.
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You asked.
I think that people hide behind anonymity of the Internet for a variety of reasons, some positive and others much more suspect. Cowardice is very much a motive of some people, who engage in intentional malice when they go onto the Internet. If they are aware that their opinions are unpopular they may hesitate to use their real names. However, honesty has the potential to offend, and some people feel that they must use aliases for reasons of safety, knowing that many media outlets require them to submit their real names and place of residence even if they permit the use of a nickname.
Other users, myself included, may feel that people are less likely to judge their opinions based on factors that ideally should be irrelevant, such as the gender, age, social class and educational level of the person. Discrimination in more than one direction can occur along these lines. I have used a nickname in submitting comments to a newspaper for the same reason. In this case, as on Yahoo! Answers, I did provide my real name to the outlet that printed it.
Facebook, as you must be aware, requires users to use their real names. I once went on a local network on Facebook and almost immediately became carried away. Not only did I lash out about the local and regional health care system, but I became angry at a woman "visiting" the local site from another province. I also made fun of a local radio talk show host. After about ten days I withdrew from the network for safety reasons.
I think that on Yahoo! Answers, the use of a nickname can be fun, and think one up can be an amusing and creative endeavour. Of course people can meet up with agreeable users and meet up with old acquaintances whether or not they use their real names. If they go by their real names, they stand an increased chance of reencountering someone with whom they would like once more to interact.
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There are a variety of reasons for anonymity on the Internet, among them are: you are working in corporate America and need to keep certain opinions personal. Let’s face it we often don’t share all our thoughts openly unless we are mad. Another reason may be to get a sense of some aspect of life you feel uncomfortable with about yourself and still want to discuss with another. Some get very angry and publishing personal information can lead to undesirable repercussions. Racism and hatred also get a open forum in which to be criticized and debated. Education comes in all forms and opinions need to be considered for just that.
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