End to Anonymity~Would You Comment?

[Kurtz]

Now that we’ve analyzed the causes for verbal vitriol on the Net, let’s consider a cure.

Readers like Ryan , Andrew and Forest Bell blamed the smears and flames on the anonymity offered by the Web.There’s lots of research to back the notion that an end to anonymity would encourage people to be nicer. Because of what’s called the reputation effect, people will be more cooperative and altruistic if they’re not anonymous. For instance, one experiment, by some of the German researchers who did the gossip experiment described in my Findings column, showed that people were less willing to contribute money to a fund to combat global warming if the donations were anonymous than if the donors’ identities were known to the other participants in experiment.

So suppose, to encourage polite discourse on this blog, we insisted on people using their real names. Some readers like this idea; others, like the aptly tagged Mr. X, say it would make for a worse discussion. What do you think? Would it discourage you from posting a comment?

What If This Becomes A Place Where Everybody Knows Your Name? (http://tierneylab.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/23/what-if-this-becomes-a-place-where-everybody-knows-your-name/index.html?ex=1350878400&en=bd70ba617735481d&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss)

[cassandra]

I agree with this research. In my experience I have found people on the net who have typed things that they would have NEVER said to another person in their presence. There is a veil that the internet that provides, and it tends to make people less sensitive. We are just typing out any frustration that may be with us and not seeing the person on the other end.

Since I post as myself anyhow I would not have any problem. :)

[patriotsblade]

I agree with this research. In my experience I have found people on the net who have typed things that they would have NEVER said to another person in their presence. There is a veil that the internet that provides, and it tends to make people less sensitive. We are just typing out any frustration that may be with us and not seeing the person on the other end.

Since I post as myself anyhow I would not have any problem. :)

No, you're not anonymous at all Cassandra. You are undoubtedly the only person on the planet with that name. :roll

[Trueblue]

I don't think it's safe to announce your identify on the net.

I think that multi-posting is something that contributes to hostility-people posting under multiple names to agree with themselves.

:whistle

[sparks]

I think there are too many security issues to post under one's real name. There's some real weirdo's out there.

[BartonX]

I noticed that too!

[Viki]

It's an argument in favor of one of the benefits of community - I remember back a few years I was willing to anonymously take some nasty, wet newspaper that someone had left in their shopping cart before me (and which was increasingly icking me out) and put it on a shelf to get it out of my way - but when another human being walked down the aisle, I did the proper thing and searched out a trashcan.

Not a BIG sin in the constellation of such (I've committed much bigger) but still not thoughtful :)

[GreenEyedLady]

I treat people the same online as I do in real life. The only problem with using your real name is if you have a weirdo that could become a stalker.

I take that back..there is one area that I don't treat people the same. Online I might flirt a little with someone, in real life I don't do that. Last week I was out to lunch with co-workers and some guy kept smiling at me. I had to avoid looking his way. Each time I looked that way he would smile at me. He probably thinks I'm stuck up, when in fact I'm shy until I get to know a guy. I know that's hard to believe. :) I also blush very easily. :yep

[sparks]

I treat people the same online as I do in real life. The only problem with using your real name is if you have a weirdo that could become a stalker.

I take that back..there is one area that I don't treat people the same. Online I might flirt a little with someone, in real life I don't do that. Last week I was out to lunch with co-workers and some guy kept smiling at me. I had to avoid looking his way. Each time I looked that way he would smile at me. He probably thinks I'm stuck up, when in fact I'm shy until I get to know a guy. I know that's hard to believe. :) I also blush very easily. :yep

Now who would have thought that? :lol

[GreenEyedLady]

Now who would have thought that? :lol

Well...what can I say? Shy with guys that I think are interested in me, or if I am interested in them. I'm not shy with people in general. The rejection on the net is easier to take then the rejection in person. :) I think the net has helped with some of my self esteem issues as well..it has given me more confidence in who I am.

[patriotsblade]

eh, I'm the same smart-ass in person as I am online. What I really enjoy though is guys who get all "Clint Eastwood" online. :rofl

I alway picture them like this:

http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/73/78/22197873.jpg

[cassandra]

No, you're not anonymous at all Cassandra. You are undoubtedly the only person on the planet with that name. :roll

Well, duh! :roll Of course others have my name. :lol However, I am me on the net.

The main reason I use my given name on the internet is that it is always available. Also, since many sites overlap, that way people always know it is me. :)

I am exactly the way I appear online in real life. I have no reason to take the time to make up something different. My life is too short to make up other personas.

[Deadshot]

I'm not as "in your face" out in the Real World. Other then that, I'm pretty much Deadshot all the time.:drevil

[Viki]

I'm always me ... the dementia is too far advanced to keep track of more than one :)

[Cookie Parker]

I think there are too many security issues to post under one's real name. There's some real weirdo's out there.

I'd have to agree..the best way to end trolling is to ignore it...to hamper threats is to report it to your local police department and to the numerous internet safety organizations on the net.

[Cookie Parker]

I'm not as "in your face" out in the Real World. Other then that, I'm pretty much Deadshot all the time.:drevil

I think that's true for most everyone....what you see from people on here is pretty much how the majority are in real life..you know?

[crazierthanever]

Loud-mouth lefty liberal in real life, too. :zen

[issac the dragon]

I agree with April. Too much involved in keeping track of multiples. Same reason I don't lie. I forget.

[cassandra]

I think that's true for most everyone....what you see from people on here is pretty much how the majority are in real life..you know?

Hmm . . . maybe here. . . but I have certainly known people online and met them and was very surprised. I think that people are more fake online than we think. We assume because we are totally real that they are.

Even Deadshot said that he is more in your face on the net. Would you be less so if we all knew your real name and could track you down?

[GreenEyedLady]

I hope that the ones that are so rude and obnoxious online are NOT that way in real life.