The irrelevance of anonymity in discussion

The catch-all forum for general topics and debates. Minimal moderation. Rated PG to PG-13.
_Mercury
_Emeritus
Posts: 5545
Joined: Tue Oct 24, 2006 2:14 pm

The irrelevance of anonymity in discussion

Post by _Mercury »

Those who are critical of anonymity are forgetting the most important fact about it. Wether anonymous or not, the arguments still stand. If one attacks another for merely being anonymous they are using it as a straw man to draw attention away from the fact that the attacker has nothing to say.
And crawling on the planet's face
Some insects called the human race
Lost in time
And lost in space...and meaning
_Jersey Girl
_Emeritus
Posts: 34407
Joined: Wed Oct 25, 2006 1:16 am

Post by _Jersey Girl »

Exactly so, Mercury.
Failure is not falling down but refusing to get up.
Chinese Proverb
_asbestosman
_Emeritus
Posts: 6215
Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:32 pm

Post by _asbestosman »

I think you're on the right track. Merc, but I think Crocket's position is that criticizing people (as opposed to arguments) anonymously is bad. But when called on it, he admits that it wouldn't be any better to libel someone under your own name.

I think that even that argument of Crocket's misses the point. When I criticize online, I try to criticize arguments, not people. Can't say I'm always successful. Anyhow, it seems to me that criticizing an argument is not in any way libel. Criticizing an argument should also be independent of who is making that criticism--save for cases where the subject matter requires an expert to really make sense of it. I wouldn't be much for criticizing an article on nuclear physics for example although I may still be able to point out some basic errors.
That's General Leo. He could be my friend if he weren't my enemy.
eritis sicut dii
I support NCMO
_The Nehor
_Emeritus
Posts: 11832
Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2007 2:05 am

Re: The irrelevance of anonymity in discussion

Post by _The Nehor »

Mercury wrote:Those who are critical of anonymity are forgetting the most important fact about it. Wether anonymous or not, the arguments still stand. If one attacks another for merely being anonymous they are using it as a straw man to draw attention away from the fact that the attacker has nothing to say.


Considering how often you personally insult people completely independent of any arguments they make, I will now bust out laughing.
"Surely he knows that DCP, The Nehor, Lamanite, and other key apologists..." -Scratch clarifying my status in apologetics
"I admit it; I'm a petty, petty man." -Some Schmo
_Mercury
_Emeritus
Posts: 5545
Joined: Tue Oct 24, 2006 2:14 pm

Re: The irrelevance of anonymity in discussion

Post by _Mercury »

The Nehor wrote:
Mercury wrote:Those who are critical of anonymity are forgetting the most important fact about it. Wether anonymous or not, the arguments still stand. If one attacks another for merely being anonymous they are using it as a straw man to draw attention away from the fact that the attacker has nothing to say.


Considering how often you personally insult people completely independent of any arguments they make, I will now bust out laughing.


Don't you have a sock hop thrown by the singles ward relief society to go to?
And crawling on the planet's face
Some insects called the human race
Lost in time
And lost in space...and meaning
_Zoidberg
_Emeritus
Posts: 523
Joined: Sat Sep 22, 2007 2:42 am

Re: The irrelevance of anonymity in discussion

Post by _Zoidberg »

Mercury wrote:
The Nehor wrote:
Mercury wrote:Those who are critical of anonymity are forgetting the most important fact about it. Wether anonymous or not, the arguments still stand. If one attacks another for merely being anonymous they are using it as a straw man to draw attention away from the fact that the attacker has nothing to say.


Considering how often you personally insult people completely independent of any arguments they make, I will now bust out laughing.


Don't you have a sock hop thrown by the singles ward relief society to go to?


Sock hops are so cool. I think that's the highest level of undress allowed at stake dances. All those sexy feet with nothing but thin sock fabric covering them. The memories make me all hot and bothered...not!
"reason and religion are friends and allies" - Mitt Romney
_The Nehor
_Emeritus
Posts: 11832
Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2007 2:05 am

Re: The irrelevance of anonymity in discussion

Post by _The Nehor »

Mercury wrote:
The Nehor wrote:
Mercury wrote:Those who are critical of anonymity are forgetting the most important fact about it. Wether anonymous or not, the arguments still stand. If one attacks another for merely being anonymous they are using it as a straw man to draw attention away from the fact that the attacker has nothing to say.


Considering how often you personally insult people completely independent of any arguments they make, I will now bust out laughing.


Don't you have a sock hop thrown by the singles ward relief society to go to?


How did I know your next post would provide further evidence of my statement. Gift of Prophecy?
"Surely he knows that DCP, The Nehor, Lamanite, and other key apologists..." -Scratch clarifying my status in apologetics
"I admit it; I'm a petty, petty man." -Some Schmo
_asbestosman
_Emeritus
Posts: 6215
Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:32 pm

Re: The irrelevance of anonymity in discussion

Post by _asbestosman »

The Nehor wrote:How did I know your next post would provide further evidence of my statement. Gift of Prophecy?

Heavens no. Fortune tellers only charge Merc half-price for a reason. ;)
That's General Leo. He could be my friend if he weren't my enemy.
eritis sicut dii
I support NCMO
_gramps
_Emeritus
Posts: 2485
Joined: Tue Oct 24, 2006 3:43 pm

Re: The irrelevance of anonymity in discussion

Post by _gramps »

Zoidberg wrote:
Mercury wrote:
The Nehor wrote:
Mercury wrote:Those who are critical of anonymity are forgetting the most important fact about it. Wether anonymous or not, the arguments still stand. If one attacks another for merely being anonymous they are using it as a straw man to draw attention away from the fact that the attacker has nothing to say.


Considering how often you personally insult people completely independent of any arguments they make, I will now bust out laughing.


Don't you have a sock hop thrown by the singles ward relief society to go to?


Sock hops are so cool. I think that's the highest level of undress allowed at stake dances. All those sexy feet with nothing but thin sock fabric covering them. The memories make me all hot and bothered...not!


And then to get even more hot and bothered, we can imagine the nehor there in his one-piece jammies.

If that doesn't get you going, what else could?
I detest my loose style and my libertine sentiments. I thank God, who has removed from my eyes the veil...
Adrian Beverland
_karl61
_Emeritus
Posts: 2983
Joined: Sat Aug 11, 2007 6:29 pm

Post by _karl61 »

I don't know how you could even prove libel : the defendant could get all the church documents in discovery and show them to a jury and and explain why they wrote what they did. The church does not want the early church on trial as it wouldn't be good in the long run.
I want to fly!
Post Reply