A Case For Pseudonyms

I think anonymity is very important in the cyber world, because due to the internets importance in many people’s lives it can ultimately change the way an individual acts. Through false names and names that people use to remain anonymous people can gain power they cannot possess alone in their daily lives. I think the sense of power people are creating online is very dangerous and it is not always being used for good, with many good examples being shown everyday. When looking at the Internet group anonymous it is evident many individuals hiding their identity online are doing so, so they can have more freedom of speech, but some things they are saying and trying to promote are not beneficial for many people in society.

I also think that people remaining anonymous online can have a positive outlook. Many people who live in communist countries lack freedom of speech like we possess in Canada and through Internet names where they can remain anonymous they can speak freely and remain safe from criticism. Freedom of speech is something many people take for granted and when people are forced to remain anonymous to obtain freedom of speech it is showing the positive side to Internet names.

With Internet names sometimes taking on a very unprofessional nature I do think the choice of name effects the ethos of the article or work shown. When I read things online I find the fact that the literature can be proven to be true important and with false names that many people use online it is hard to trust work by people who choose to remain anonymous. It is evident that many people do not have the option to show their real names so I d think there is a point where it becomes an individuals role to interpret the text and decide under what circumstances it is written and take into the matter that many people face scrutiny for what they believe.

In the article when they explain the actions taken by the employees at Google+, I do not think they have the right to take away peoples privileges. When looking at users who post inappropriate content and get their rights revoked   I do think people controlling the content have the right to take away those privileges. In certain cases where users who are using the site for positive things are getting their accounts shut down for having a non-realistic name I do not think that Google is handling the situation correctly. Looking at the Facebook page that is used to remember Khaled Said that was shut down for the administrators non realistic name, I think that the certain practises are discouraging positive things that people are doing and with continuos dissaprovement of these actions over time people will turn away from them all together. With allowing people who are looking for the good on the internet and are faced with these problems I think that the actions are just taking steps back in the progression of internet communities.