I sometimes write reviews under my real name (on Amazon), but rarely engage in discussions. Most of the time I prefer to be anonymous. I think ideas should be discussed on their own merit, not on the credentials of the presenter. Anonymity on the Internet means equal opportunity to express opinions irrespective of origin, gender, age, race, social status. I have been attacked way too often ad hominem to understand the value of hiding behind an alias. I guess this notion is beyond the head of a former teacher and sales rep though.

To quote Mission Impossible: “Anonymity is like a warm blanket.”

This naive generation that doesn’t believe in privacy is pathetic. I have no respect for these people and will have no sympathy for them when they finally pay the price for it (fired from their job, identity stolen, robbed, stalked, etc.)

Part of this is because of the nature of sites like Facebook. I have a facebook account, I even check it every day (mostly) but the ONLY reason I have it is to keep in contact with friends and I’ve “Liked” pages of products I use. For me, that’s what Facebook is. But the last thing I want is for someone I’ve pissed off online to track me down using Facebook, or for an offhand comment I made make it back to future (or current) employers without the conversation context. I think that anonymity harms internet discussion, but at the same time I don’t think that most people (or companies) are ready for that. What we say online is essentially permanent.

That’s why I use services like Disqus and Gravatar. I don’t mind people knowing what I say or where (websites) I say it. Online I go by one of two names. Menno or MennoMobile if the first is unavailable. Most of the people I interact with in real life (including coworkers) know who I go by online. But I don’t want people who get pissed off at something “Menno” says to track down my real name and go after people because of it. I had an issue with someone doing just that years ago when I was stupid and used my real name online.

I do agree that anonymity needs to be the exception rather than the rule, but I’m not sure if having everything tied to our real names is the way to go.

Part of this is because of the nature of sites like Facebook. I have a facebook account, I even check it every day (mostly) but the ONLY reason I have it is to keep in contact with friends and I’ve “Liked” pages of products I use. For me, that’s what Facebook is. But the last thing I want is for someone I’ve pissed off online to track me down using Facebook, or for an offhand comment I made make it back to future (or current) employers without the conversation context. I think that anonymity harms internet discussion, but at the same time I don’t think that most people (or companies) are ready for that. What we say online is essentially permanent.

That’s why I use services like Disqus and Gravatar. I don’t mind people knowing what I say or where (websites) I say it. Online I go by one of two names. Menno or MennoMobile if the first is unavailable. Most of the people I interact with in real life (including coworkers) know who I go by online. But I don’t want people who get pissed off at something “Menno” says to track down my real name and go after people because of it. I had an issue with someone doing just that years ago when I was stupid and used my real name online.

I do agree that anonymity needs to be the exception rather than the rule, but I’m not sure if having everything tied to our real names is the way to go.