anonymity vs identity on the internet

[dpopiz]

I posted this in off topic because I think it is mostly as much a social issue as a hardware/software issue. feel free to complain

I've done a lot of thinking about the problem of maintaining a consistent identity on the internet, but keep yourself anonymous when you want to. I haven't gotten anywhere. It's a really confusing, but really important subject...

A consistent identity makes things much easier to keep track of, but there are lots of times on the internet when anonymity is very advantageous.

I think in the near future, there's going to have to be solution to this -- some good way of connecting an internet identity to a real person, but in a way that's secure and private.


thoughts?

 

[Mo0o]

Microsoft Passport?

 

[sonambulo]

i prize my internet anonymity. it's what allows me to create several different personalities and have them argue up and down the steven seagal forums with each other.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

I have the same problem. I have no *particular* reason not to let people see my real name, and from time to time I do let my real info leak on various online sites.

However, I find it generally better not to expose myself too much... for a number of reasons.

Once or twice I posted on a small community message board and got in serious trouble with my boss. (We have some strict ethical rules at my work place).

If you goggle my real name you will find hundreds of web pages that refer to me. But all but one or two random mentions have been approved and edited by a staff of about a dozen...

 

[Amused]

Sometimes I think the Internet would be a far more civil, yet still free place if everyone was identified by their real names.

Our right to privacy in the US Constitution does NOT mean a right to anonymity.

 

[Modeps]

If any of you think you're anonymous on the Internet, you're stupid.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Modeps
If any of you think you're anonymous on the Internet, you're stupid.

You are to most people. So for all intents and purposes, you are anonymous.

 

[amish]

Originally posted by: Amused

Our right to privacy in the US Constitution does NOT mean a right to anonymity.

i disagree. i think that we DO have the right to be anonymous if we want to. i see it as it is the same way an author may have a pen name and not use his/her real name.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: amish

Originally posted by: Amused

Our right to privacy in the US Constitution does NOT mean a right to anonymity.

i disagree. i think that we DO have the right to be anonymous if we want to. i see it as it is the same way an author may have a pen name and not use his/her real name.

Then why have most cities passed laws banning the covering of one's face? Not only that, but the laws have been held up by the supreme court.

 

[amish]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: amish

Originally posted by: Amused

Our right to privacy in the US Constitution does NOT mean a right to anonymity.

i disagree. i think that we DO have the right to be anonymous if we want to. i see it as it is the same way an author may have a pen name and not use his/her real name.

Then why have most cities passed laws banning the covering of one's face? Not only that, but the laws have been held up by the supreme court.

because that is something that is IRL. the internet is setup so that it is anonymous in terms of physicality. you see that person IRL physically on the internet you "see" that person differently, as in a handle. the only way to get around that is to have a webcam, and you can't make people get one if they don't want it. while the internet is inherently public it is still not physical. a person carrying a conversation on the internet with another cannot touch that other person like they would be able to in real life.

 

[edro]

If you sell/trade online, you need to build a good identity through feedback, verification (Paypal), Name, Addresses...etc. When you want to post on SheepLove.net love forums... you should use another handle.

 

[amish]

Originally posted by: edro13
If you sell/trade online, you need to build a good identity through feedback, verification (Paypal), Name, Addresses...etc. When you want to post on SheepLove.net love forums... you should use another handle.

true. i forgot about verification for PP and such, but you are still choosing to trade. some don't want the hastle or their name to be floating on the internet, such as my brother :roll:.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: Modeps
If any of you think you're anonymous on the Internet, you're stupid.

You are to most people. So for all intents and purposes, you are anonymous.

yeh, i'm not into stalkers