Comments on: On Anonymous Bloggers (2)

By: Jakartass

Jakartass — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 11:49:00 +0000

None of us are truly anonymous, given that the technology we use to transmit our thoughts can track us down.

However, it would be presumptuous of me to assume that I know Anita Carmencita better than she knows me, Jakartass.

We've never met, although we nearly did and I suspect would get on quite well.

My online persona has stood me in good stead, has given me a voice which has lead to a well-received book .

I have already left a comment elsewhere pointing out that the use of pseudonyms (pen names) is an honourable tradition. It's no big deal, except in the Indonesian blogosphere which seems to value celebrity above content, skin versus substance.

Shame that.

By: aroengbinang

aroengbinang — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 04:30:00 +0000

back to the intention and honesty of the person, regardless whether it’s anonymous or onymous.
yes, the way they are communicated, the words minus the body language in this type of media, are sometimes as important as the message itself.
just like in war, that it’s wonderful to conquer a city without inflicting any casualties and damages, it’s also wonderful to get the message transmitted and taken without hurting anybody.

By: Finally Woken

Finally Woken — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 08:44:00 +0000

@Dizzy: as I quoted Kipling that words are the most powerful drug used by mankind, if the victim is someone personally, it can lead to death, as Mr. Tilley and the teenager Meier.

But if the victim is corporation or government, then the anonymous bloggers' life can be at stake.

So it's not just words. We are not journalists (although some journalists do blogging) where they have editors to screen, re-check, and edit their writings. We only live by netiquette but we should be responsible of what we write because believe it or not, it has impact on people.

By: Toni

Toni — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 11:32:00 +0000

Indeed Anita, being responsible is more important. Though is just words on the internet, they can have powerful impact to individual or organizations. Free speech is protected, but not libel and defamation.

By: dizzy

dizzy — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 20:10:00 +0000

It’s just words on the Internet. It’s no different to what people say in pubs about their employers or experiences all the time. You don’t suddenly stop and think ‘oooh a I being responsible’ when you tell someone that the CEO is playing away with his secretary. The Internet is just a cacophony of noise. Sometimes you hear things, sometimes you don’t. Tough.