Comments on: Google needs to allow pseudonyms on services like Google+ for anonymity https://gregladen.com/blog/2011/08/01/google-needs-to-allow-pseudony/ Fri, 27 Mar 2015 07:49:02 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.8 By: Rosie https://gregladen.com/blog/2011/08/01/google-needs-to-allow-pseudony/#comment-506751 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 07:49:02 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2011/08/01/google-needs-to-allow-pseudony/#comment-506751 Recall in 1993 the theme was that the internet would make the world a village. Guess what no ability to post anonymously is what allows people to be anonymous. A village of a few hundred means that everyone knows everyone, we have technology now to make that the entire world. Likewise in a village peoples comings and goings were observed by little old ladies who then gossiped about them. Thats really the old fashioned survellance camera. .

]]> By: Lyle https://gregladen.com/blog/2011/08/01/google-needs-to-allow-pseudony/#comment-506750 Sun, 07 Aug 2011 04:11:26 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2011/08/01/google-needs-to-allow-pseudony/#comment-506750 Recall in 1993 the theme was that the internet would make the world a village. Guess what no ability to post anonymously is what you would have if you spoke in a village. Everyone would know you. It is only the city that allows people to be anonymous. A village of a few hundred means that everyone knows everyone, we have technology now to make that the entire world. Likewise in a village peoples comings and goings were observed by little old ladies who then gossiped about them. Thats really the old fashioned survellance camera. So chalk this up to the unanticipated consequences of making the global village, everyone knows everyone’s business in the global village. If you don’t like it just like in the village you keep your trap shut.

]]> By: pornonymous https://gregladen.com/blog/2011/08/01/google-needs-to-allow-pseudony/#comment-506749 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:32:13 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2011/08/01/google-needs-to-allow-pseudony/#comment-506749 Thanks for highlighting this issue–one of the many reasons I come back to your blog!
The writer says anonymity is needed for “Civil servants, rape survivors, whistle-blowers, and transgendered individuals are immediate examples of people who want privacy to protect themselves from attacks and abuse from others who do not agree with what they are saying or doing or have experienced.”

But he forgets to mention dissidents, male rape survivors, ex-cons, and those who are under constant scrutiny–like peace activists and anarchists.

]]> By: Alex Besogonov https://gregladen.com/blog/2011/08/01/google-needs-to-allow-pseudony/#comment-506748 Tue, 02 Aug 2011 11:28:39 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2011/08/01/google-needs-to-allow-pseudony/#comment-506748 Kermit:

“So, Alex… did you have many death threats on FIDONet?
Employers checking FIDO for unpalatable behavior before hiring, dangers of accusations of libel, spam with adware sauce, hackers, oppressive governments, or sexual predators?”

There were a few. But they were fairly easy to deal with – because you have real names. And the fact that you can get punched in the face IRL really tended to calm discussions.

So I stand by my opinion. Real-name communication is good for a lot of purposes. It might not be good if you’re trying to overthrow a government, but then why should we design EVERY tool to be useful in overthrowing a government?

]]> By: Tom Singer https://gregladen.com/blog/2011/08/01/google-needs-to-allow-pseudony/#comment-506747 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 22:46:48 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2011/08/01/google-needs-to-allow-pseudony/#comment-506747 Greg, what specifically is going on? Your post is the first I’ve heard of anything. You say that others have covered the issue. Can you give a link?

]]> By: Greg Laden https://gregladen.com/blog/2011/08/01/google-needs-to-allow-pseudony/#comment-506746 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 21:58:47 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2011/08/01/google-needs-to-allow-pseudony/#comment-506746 Benno, what you say makes total sense. Unless you know what is going on.

]]> By: Tom Singer https://gregladen.com/blog/2011/08/01/google-needs-to-allow-pseudony/#comment-506745 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 21:51:46 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2011/08/01/google-needs-to-allow-pseudony/#comment-506745 I’m 100% okay with Google requiring you to use your real name, although I recognize that there are some rather common issues that might make that problematic (nicknames, for instance, particularly ones that aren’t common derivations of real names).

Nobody is forcing you to use Google+, or forcing you to make it your only online presence. If you want an anonymous forum to post something, there are plenty of places for you to do that.

I firmly believe that removing the veil of anonymity would go a long way toward improving discussions online. To that end…

]]> By: kermit https://gregladen.com/blog/2011/08/01/google-needs-to-allow-pseudony/#comment-506744 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 20:22:19 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2011/08/01/google-needs-to-allow-pseudony/#comment-506744 So, Alex… did you have many death threats on FIDONet?

Employers checking FIDO for unpalatable behavior before hiring, dangers of accusations of libel, spam with adware sauce, hackers, oppressive governments, or sexual predators?

We’ve opened up the dialog to everybody, and perfectly civilized people have reasons to stay anonymous. As with people who do not open the door to every stranger that knocks, we have no moral obligation to do so, nor should we be judged for it.

“Kermit” is my real name, BTW. But that’s all you’re getting for now.

I’m sure that the conversation was better then. It’s probably generally more civilized and more interesting in a university coffee shop than a city bar in a bad neighborhood. This is why I spend time in, for instance, several science blogs, but not Yahoo news article threads.

]]> By: Alex Besogonov https://gregladen.com/blog/2011/08/01/google-needs-to-allow-pseudony/#comment-506743 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 19:41:19 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2011/08/01/google-needs-to-allow-pseudony/#comment-506743 Why clueless?

You young people might not know, but 20 years ago the largest network was FIDONet. Which _required_ the use of real names AND phone numbers.

It worked just fine. I still miss the days of FIDO, the quality of discussions was way better than on most Internet forums.

]]> By: Drivebyposter https://gregladen.com/blog/2011/08/01/google-needs-to-allow-pseudony/#comment-506742 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 18:05:25 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2011/08/01/google-needs-to-allow-pseudony/#comment-506742

With anonymity there is no accountability. People should grow up and treat each other properly, using their real names.

Clueless much?

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