Anonymous according to the dictionary is defined by;
1.without any name acknowledged, as that of author, contributor, or the like: an anonymous letter to the editor; an anonymous donation. 2.of unknown name; whose name is withheld: an anonymous author. 3.lacking individuality, unique character, or distinction: an endless row of drab, anonymous houses.
Does the Internet allow us to fulfill this definition and truly be anonymous? While sites like 4Chan allow us to post anonymous comments, videos, and ideas the website still require an email to sign-in which links the poster to the post. While others who read the post will not see that information and we are not acknowledged for our post, there is still that invisible link between us and what we post online. Other 'anonymous' sites like juicy campus which allows anonymous posting, also require an email to post. Without even signing into the site my gmail account had already been connected to juicy campus. Because my gmail account has information like my name, along with what school I go to, sites like 4Chan and juicy campus have that information behind the scenes. Other anonymous sites that have the same concept as 4Chan include AutoAdmit, 2channel and futaba. Again these sites have some linkage between post and poster behind the scenes. These sites also have time and date stamps of the post which also create a connection between the post and the person posting.
Other sides use anonymity for other reasons. www.suicideanonymous.net is a suicide prevention site that allows you to download a 'little black book' which is an anonymous collection of others stories of struggle. These posting are completely anonymous and have no link to who posted them. www.aacincinnati.org is an alcoholics anonymous site that allows you to participate in anonymous online chat rooms instead of going to a physical meeting. In the blog you create a username that appears when you participate in the discussion but you are never required to give your name or other information.
With all this assess the internet allows us to have and the ability to easily share information on websites we cant help but share our anonymity making us no longer anonymous In a recent article by Mary Long ( http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/hacker-brags-on-twitter_b21136 ) she shared that 'anonymous' hacker John Borell bragged about hacking on twitter and was caught and prosecuted. Even while the anonymous hacker group does not identify their members they still post claims to things the have done. While the hacking they do is illegal, some say its watchdog affect have positively influenced the correction in America. The groups full mission is outlined in the following YouTube video, and without anonymity the group could not fulfill its purpose.
With regards to media ecology anonymous posting is changing the media environment. Whether anonymous posting is positive or negative it blurs boundary lines. It give users the ability to express ideas and thoughts that they wouldn't if there name was attached to it. Anonymous posting also eliminated filters and invites feedback. In some instances anonymous posting can invite pollutants and threats.
When allowing anonymous posting on the Internet we invite the good along with the bad. As for being truly anonymous on the internet that depends on your definition of anonymous and whether or not you believe the behind the scene connection you have to your posts still qualifies as being anonymous.
No comments:
Post a Comment