The Ugly Face of Anonymity

I often read Michigan Daily opinion pieces and also tend to peek at the comments people leave. I find that most of the opinion pieces are coherent, intelligent, and well founded. Most comments, on the other hand, are quite the opposite: uninformed, inaccurate, and simpleminded. But much worse is they are downright offensive, derogatory, and ignominious. And more so, most operate under (and perhaps exist because of) the cloak of anonymity. Was our society’s value of free speech intended to encourage the expression of any viewpoint, no matter how obscene and defamatory, simply by allowing individuals to escape being identified?

Anonymity has its benefits and necessities: in an oppressive totalitarian government, a revolutionary can disguise her identity so that her inflammatory remarks and seditious acts can unite the people to topple the dictatorial regime. In a repressive society, the minority member can stand up for what he believes and not worry about being discriminated at the work place or in the housing market. However, the label “anonymous” was not designed to provide a safe haven for just anyone and any remark. Disparaging comments on blogs, op-eds, articles, opinion pieces, YouTube videos, etc. often go beyond the realm of funny and cute and enter outright abhorrence that often contains tones of sexism, racism, and homophobia.

I am not arguing that we should discard the ability to comment anonymously online or write under pen names or pseudonyms. I am worried, however, about how to promote intelligent and civil public discourse when people can say anything they want while thwarting association and with their views. Ad hominem attacks and rhetoric jibes at the author, rather than the opinion, restrict the free flow of intelligent ideas that have proved so critical to societal progress and development. Society becomes endangered by perversions of the privilege of anonymity simply because individuals evade taking on the responsibility for what they have to say. Doing so simply degrades the attacker’s integrity. Remarks should be made to contribute to, not abuse free speech. Indeed, free speech was intended to protect individuals from persecution for their ideas. Don’t use it to become the persecutor.

(Photo courtesy of sxc.hu)