The Anonymity Issue

[_MrStakhanovite]

The whole issue is a red herring Bob seized upon so he can bully people and has zero precedence in Christianity or Philosophy, where anonymous authors abound. This is just a slow witted trial monkey thinking that the world operates like a court room.


That said:

[_Kishkumen]

Thanks so much, guys. I see a lot of practical wisdom here. Let me revisit a couple of points I like:

1. Do not drag people's personal lives into the discussion.
2. Anonymity helps protect us from stalkers and weirdos.
3. There needs to be a safe space to explore faith issues free from the eyes of family and work colleagues, which anonymity helps provide.
4. Avoid trolls and people who are a waste of psychic energy. If you don't engage them, then they won't take up your good time.

I can see that I could stand to work on #4, the wisdom of Blixa and others. I sometimes seek arguments with the worst people. The ones who are dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. Also the ones who are simply a waste of time in the sense that the conversation will go nowhere.

[_Kishkumen]

The whole issue is a red herring Bob seized upon so he can bully people and has zero precedence in Christianity or Philosophy, where anonymous authors abound. This is just a slow witted trial monkey thinking that the world operates like a court room.

The vicious pamphlet has a long history. I know these things were circulated in ancient Rome. Antony and Octavian exchanged insults as they headed toward war. That said, you don't think there is any point to condemning anonymous attacks against people?

[_MrStakhanovite]

The vicious pamphlet has a long history. I know these things were circulated in ancient Rome. Antony and Octavian exchanged insults as they headed toward war. That said, you don't think there is any point to condemning anonymous attacks against people?

Attacks are attacks, the fact that the person who penned them doesn’t make them false ipso facto, or a greater crime. There is either evidence to be had or not, and none of it contingent upon an author’s real name.

We have no idea the real identity of any of the authors of the canonical Gospels, should we dismiss them as anonymous cowards trying to smear the Pharisees?

[_MCB]

1. Do not drag people's personal lives into the discussion.
2. Anonymity helps protect us from stalkers and weirdos.
3. There needs to be a safe space to explore faith issues free from the eyes of family and work colleagues, which anonymity helps provide.
4. Avoid trolls and people who are a waste of psychic energy. If you don't engage them, then they won't take up your good time.

Those are excellent observations, and Jersey Girl is an example of what could happen when those personal rules are not observed.

On the internet, I don't engage in any kind of debate with the crazies. I keep them on ignore, and trust others to copy any posts that are over the top or unusually insightful. I certainly don't divulge any information to the crazies by which they could identify me in real life. I count on the probability that they lack the smarts to compile enough information to triangulate on me in real life. Maybe a bit too trusting in that respect.

In terms of interaction with LDS in real life, there aren't many where I live, and once I tell them that I refuse to be victimized or harassed, the discussion is done. Heated arguments are not my style.

I have a situation in real life that is apparently being resolved, but I have not divulged any of it online. I hold the belief that I do not know everything, so therefore what I do believe I know, and speculate upon, may be in error. So therefore it is better to not say anything, and let the experts in such situations do their work.

[_ludwigm]

My nickname in the family is Ludwig, the German version of my given name. It used to be the same in my workplaces and in the church. M represents the initial of my family name, the other letters can be correctly pronounced only by aranyborju.

Fortunately, I am living 10000 km from Brigham's Avenging Angels.

I could be identified by my photo. (The features of the grey lion are unambiguous.)

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

The irony in this is Mr. Bob understands just how much of a gambit it is to use one's in real life on message boards. You'd think he'd become an advocate of anonymity after becoming a victim of his own policy.

- VRDRC

[_Nomomo]

The irony in this is Mr. Bob understands just how much of a gambit it is to use one's in real life on message boards. You'd think he'd become an advocate of anonymity after becoming a victim of his own policy.
- VRDRC

Exactly! Irony x10
Perhaps after reading this thread he may have an epiphany and grok this which is so obvious. Who knows? Stranger things have happened ~_-

[_Tator]

I have always maintained that Bob doesn't do anything without his attorney's advice, but unfortunately for Bob his attorney is an idiot.

[_Tator]

The value of anonymity - Can you imagine what the life of Dr. Scratch would be like if his real name and identity was known?