Former Microsoft executive Karl Jacob has launched a Web site that allows people to hold private conversations via the telephone without having to share their telephone numbers.
It may be that in some cases anonymity is not appropriate, but when you're interacting with a diverse world of people, or with an individual you don't know, maintaining some level of anonymity is common sense. There may be some potentially negative effects of internet anonymity, but there are also a lot of good reasons for maintaining it, especially for guarding against unjust retribution.
With the ability to be anonymous online, people can also be completely honest about about who they are and what they think - they can introduce new ideas and points of view without inhibition. This is as close to true freedom of speech that most people around the world can come. Consider the following:
"Anonymity is a shield from the tyranny of the majority... It thus exemplifies the purpose behind the Bill of Rights, and of the First Amendment in particular: to protect unpopular individuals from retaliation -- and their ideas from suppression -- at the hand of an intolerant society."
Justice Stevens, McIntyre v. Ohio Elections Commission, 1996
"Anonymous pamphlets, leaflets, brochures and even books have played an important role in the progress of mankind. Persecuted groups and sects from time to time throughout history have been able to criticize oppressive practices and laws either anonymously or not at all."
Justice Black, Talley v. California, 1960
Loading ...
Internet Anonymity Promotes Cyber-Cowardice
Posted by: Chet Dembeck November 10, 1999 12:00 AMFormer Microsoft executive Karl Jacob has launched a Web site that allows people to hold private conversations via the telephone without having to share their telephone numbers.
With the ability to be anonymous online, people can also be completely honest about about who they are and what they think - they can introduce new ideas and points of view without inhibition. This is as close to true freedom of speech that most people around the world can come. Consider the following:
"Anonymity is a shield from the tyranny of the majority... It thus exemplifies the purpose behind the Bill of Rights, and of the First Amendment in particular: to protect unpopular individuals from retaliation -- and their ideas from suppression -- at the hand of an intolerant society."
Justice Stevens, McIntyre v. Ohio Elections Commission, 1996
"Anonymous pamphlets, leaflets, brochures and even books have played an important role in the progress of mankind. Persecuted groups and sects from time to time throughout history have been able to criticize oppressive practices and laws either anonymously or not at all."
Justice Black, Talley v. California, 1960