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March 13, 2010
Internet Anonymity, Pseudonyms, and Other Ruses.
You're still not Publius, Jack. Ah, when and where will it end? For all its benefits, the Net very early on enabled some seriously white-trash habits. The "right" to anonymity doesn't exist. It's a privilege for people who need it. It's not for generic wimps. Too many people didn't get that.
But it's not always a simple subject. See Charon QC's 150th interview with Dan Hull, their 4th podcast together since the first one in London in 2007. Right here. Most of the program was devoted to digital anonymity.
Anonymity. This blog thinks we should reserve it for bloggers and commenters who need or deserve it. If it's worth reading or hearing, and considering, we need to know who you are. Some exceptions: CIA employees, Chinese dissidents, battered women, Club Ned victims, and free speech pioneers.
The rest of you mugs? Grow spines, please. It's not cute or cool anymore to hide. Besides, we need your real identity to prepare and serve the summons.
Hey, this is America.
"They call me Big Sandusky Law Critter. Let me say this...."
Posted by JD Hull at March 13, 2010 12:45 AM