Blogs can be powerful, largely because of the ability for outside readers to comment on the articles posted therein. Here's my argument for a Code of Comments:
Any one who wants to can comment on my blog. You're welcome to be "anonymous" if you like. It seems that blogger.com will give you some minor issues if you aren't registered, but you don't have to register or leave a name or anything of the sort. I think that all blogs should work that way.
If you do choose to use the name "anonymous," expect that I and many others really will immediately question what you are hiding, what agenda do you not want revealed, etc. Go ahead and be anoymous, but it's a strike against you.
Sign your post with your real name. My URL is my real name. If you can't sign with your real name, what are you hiding? Don't sign with "M. Simon" or something equally ambiguous. Let us know who you are, so we can research you, your past writings and comments, your motivations, etc. In some ways it's like the "rigorous vetting process" that a political candidate goes through. If you can't associate your ideas with who you are, I'm not putting much trust in their authenticity...
If you have a web site or blog, link to it. Save us the time, show us right where we can find the repository of your writings and opinions...
If we all did this, it would certainly help with the efficiency of the blogosphere as an information processing network.
Just a few thoughts. Comment on...
9 comments:
I agree with your thoughts. I have my full name and my photo on my blog as an effort to increase credibility.
It appears we Americans are being conditioned to be paranoid and some may resort to anonymity out of fear.
Your Blog is great.
Free the media!
is this the beginning?
its the beginning of something, although what that is i am not quite sure...
THE CHAINS OF LAW HAVE BEEN BROKEN
My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.
Okay, that was me. I have to take credit for that one.
In fairness, a lot of wage-slaves prefer to make political comments anonymously because all it takes is one Google by the Human Resource Nazis for them to get Dooced.
Maybe some of us have just been too lazy to get a blogger account...or we're afraid of our Big Brother.
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