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- New Forest, England.
Now don't laugh.
Saga have a web site. Yes, I joined. You will have trouble finding me there. I float anonymously among the old timers.
It's an interesting website that enables the exchange of information on a huge variety of topics. It also has a soapbox and debate forum. They are bear pits! No faint hearts are allowed there.
In my naive early days I challenged the principle of anonymity. I argued that it created people who simply didn't exist in real life. It lead to hurtful things being said that nobody would dream of saying face to face. I said that on the internet I treated people and said things which I truly meant. I try to assume people can see and know me. I don't like the idea of having a cloak of invisibility. That leads to some strange, unpredictable and sometimes hurtful, behaviour.
When I expressed these views on saga I was howled down. And for attacking silly names and avatars. I went undercover. And created a second personality. If you can't beat 'em.....
I've grown up now. No point in being the only one in step.
So to enjoy the fun of the internet I don't grumble about the internet identity issue any more. I just do my own thing.
The photo I am afraid, is me. Fido was my real nickname as a boy. And I have no wish to hide.
I am really sad that the internet operates the way it does. In some ways it shows us a devastating side of human nature. There are real dangers about openness because there are some really awful people around. But to give in to it and to alter our behaviour has handed a victory to the cheats and bullies.
Sites like facebook provide an opportunity for those who do not wish to remain anonymous. But that's another story.
Anyone else have any thoughts about this?
Saga have a web site. Yes, I joined. You will have trouble finding me there. I float anonymously among the old timers.
It's an interesting website that enables the exchange of information on a huge variety of topics. It also has a soapbox and debate forum. They are bear pits! No faint hearts are allowed there.
In my naive early days I challenged the principle of anonymity. I argued that it created people who simply didn't exist in real life. It lead to hurtful things being said that nobody would dream of saying face to face. I said that on the internet I treated people and said things which I truly meant. I try to assume people can see and know me. I don't like the idea of having a cloak of invisibility. That leads to some strange, unpredictable and sometimes hurtful, behaviour.
When I expressed these views on saga I was howled down. And for attacking silly names and avatars. I went undercover. And created a second personality. If you can't beat 'em.....
I've grown up now. No point in being the only one in step.
So to enjoy the fun of the internet I don't grumble about the internet identity issue any more. I just do my own thing.
The photo I am afraid, is me. Fido was my real nickname as a boy. And I have no wish to hide.
I am really sad that the internet operates the way it does. In some ways it shows us a devastating side of human nature. There are real dangers about openness because there are some really awful people around. But to give in to it and to alter our behaviour has handed a victory to the cheats and bullies.
Sites like facebook provide an opportunity for those who do not wish to remain anonymous. But that's another story.
Anyone else have any thoughts about this?