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Most people who comment online hide their identity, but what's the consequence?

miller.4410@osu.edu

Published: Sunday, May 9, 2010

Updated: Friday, June 15, 2012 23:06

The story of the Lantern photographer who took pictures of runaway cows garnered a lot of attention and yielded many online comments from readers. As I was glancing through the comment section on some of the stories, I noticed a glaring trend. After looking more closely and crunching some numbers, I found that more than half of the posts were labeled "Anonymous."

This reminded me of the time I met a man named Anonymous. Everyone called him Imus for short. We had a back-and-forth conversation about this very topic:

"This anonymous posting nonsense has got to stop," he said. "People are not responsible for their words anymore. Any freckle-faced loser can go online and say whatever he wants without repercussions."

Is it really that important to hold online commenters accountable? I asked. Are they really causing any harm?

"The moral fabric of society is falling through the cracks, in part because no one has to think before they speak."

Well, I agree that our values are deteriorating, but I don't know how much anonymous posts have to do with it. It is merely citizens exercising their First Amendment rights. Nobody said it had to be pretty. And besides, most newspapers reserve the right to delete a post if it finds the content overly insensitive.

"But newspapers seem pretty reluctant to delete anything. Most of the trash spewed on the Internet stays there forever."

So what? Just be sure to read the comments with your big boy glasses on. Besides, you are only picking out the negatives. Sometimes, people anonymously post valuable information that the paper then researches. If the commenter's claim is full of holes, it is disregarded. But if it is verified, it can be helpful to the press, which then benefits the public.

"But how often does that happen?"

Probably not often enough to make you happy, but it does happen.

"My point is that the childish mudslinging people often resort to tarnishes public discourse. And that is caused by people who can write without revealing their identity."

But to be fair, no one really knows who comments on the web. Unless someone includes his or her e-mail address in the post, which almost never happens, that person's identity is unknown. People can use whatever pseudonym they want.

"Then those people are wrong, too."

Perhaps, but let's not forget the entertainment value. People let their hair down and say things they wouldn't normally say, which I consider a positive. It also gives readers an opportunity to tell a columnist what they think. Say, for instance, someone wrote a column consisting entirely of unrealistic dialogue and used a person whose name was used solely for satirical purposes. Wouldn't you want a chance to tell that writer what you thought?

"Yeah, that would be bad. Do you think a writer would ever do that?"

I can think of one.

"Honestly, though, is expecting someone to use his or her real name too much to ask? Not to mention, it is extremely confusing to see my name sprinkled throughout a comment wall before I've even read the column."

Have you ever considered changing your name?

"Absolutely not. I shall remain Anonymous."

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273 comments

miss temerra
Tue May 21 2013 07:33
miss temerra
'My mouth is full of testimonies, Am miss temerra E my husband left the home for six month to uk for a tourist, where he meant this prostitute and he was bewitch by the girl my husband refuse to come back home again, i cry day and night looking for who to help me, i read a news paper about a powerful spell caster called Dr.rivers i contacted the spell caster to help me get my lover back to me and he ask me not to worry about it that the gods we fight for me.. he told me by mid-night when all the spirit is at rest he will cast a spell to reunite my lover back to me. and he did in less than 4 days my husband came back to me and started crying that i should for forgive him, i,m so happy for what this spell caster did for me and my husband.. Dr rivers you can as well contact him fo help now email him at dr.rivershebalisthome@gmail.com
AM TESTIFYING OF THIS MAN GOODNESS, CONTACT HIM AS HE IS THE BEST ONLINE.
Tue May 21 2013 07:05
My Name is Mrs Valeria, I was married to my husband for 10 years and we were both bless with two children, living together as one love, until 2012 when things was no longer the way it was [ when he lost his job ]. But when he later gets a new job 6 months after, he stated sleeping outside our matrimonial home which really makes me crazy. Only for me to find out that he was having an affair with the lady that gave him the job. since that day, when i called him, He don't longer pick up my calls, He do not behave how he use to be before he got the job from the lady that he was having an affair with,I have also questioned him on this particular issues several times to please stop all this that what he is doing to me that is causing me to loose my temper and patient, Yet my husbands just still keep on seeing the lady. Until I met a very good friend of mine who was also having a similar problem years back, Who introduced me to a very good love spell caster,When my friend told me about this spell caster i ask her which one is he talking about,That i have used like two spell casters online that are fake.She explained to me that yes that there are really fake spell casters online that are just there to rip off someones money without giving out good result that THIS VERY PARTICULAR SPELL CASTER THAT I AM TELLING YOU ABOUT WAS INTRODUCED TO ME BY THE PRESIDENT OF AMERICA,COS HE IS MY COUSIN.The president directed me to him and gave me his contact that he is a very great spell caster that has helped him solve internal and external problems of his home and also of this country. But i told her that if it has to do with things that i am not interested, but she said that it has nothing to do with pay first. but the only thing she was ask to do when the president gave her the contact was just to go and buy the items to cast the spell,And if you can not get this items,It will only cost you just $150 dollars to like $300 dollars which you will have to send to him via western union or any means he require you to get this charges to him to get material needed to cast the spell this was what i did to get my man on track when he was doing something like this me in the year 2011.I quickly ask her on how i am going to get to this very great and reliable spell caster and also i did not forget the country he was from,She told me that this great spell caster that is so reliable and unique is from NIGERIA.she gave me the spell caster e-mail address and phone number. When i contacted him, i was so surprise when he said that if i have the believe in him and also i have faith that directed me to him that i will get my husband back in the nest three [3] day that i should just relax my mind as everything will go well,He told me to just put my mind at rest that nobody has ever come to him for help and go the same way he or she came.That he will want to first of all assure me that in the next 1,2,3,to 4 days that my husband must and will call me on phone begging and come home to me and go down on his knees and will be begging for forgiveness and even will get a gift to make the reunion sweet.He also told me that his spell casting is forever that there will be no break up again and also that the spell do not have any side effect but just to make you get what you want.Really my people in the world that will stop by to read my story,Or to those that need a very good spell caster,All the process went well and as he assured me and my husband was fully back on track and love me like never before.So i am out here to extend my thanks firstly to my friend that introduce me to him and also a very big thanks and more thanks to Dr Kuq Ya. This testimony is what i can only do for him by sharing it to other people to contact the right spell caster online and not to fall into the hands of those scammers that has used spell to start collecting money from individuals that need help without any sort of result.This man Called Dr Kuq Ya is good,great,durable,reliable and he helps those that will not also complete charges to get materials needed to cast spell and he is the author of my happiness and Joy. His e-mail address is as follow: great.spellcaster@yahoo.com .
HOW THIS GREAT SPELL CASTER BROUGHT BACK MY GIRLFRIEND AND JOB BACK.
Tue May 21 2013 07:00
My Name is Engr Hanson.I will want to share my testimony to all the people in this forum cos i never thought i will have my girlfriend back and she means the world to me..The girl i want to get marry to left me 2 weeks to our weeding for another man, When i called her she never picked my calls,She deleted me on her face-book and she changed her face book status from married to Single. when i went to her place of work she told her boss she do not want to see me anymore.I lost my job as a result of this because i was no longer myself, My life was upside down and everything did not go smooth with my life. I tried all i could to have her back, But all my effort did not work out until i met a Man when i travel to U.S.A to execute some business that i have been developing some years back. I told him my problem and all that i have passed through in getting my lover back and how i lost my job as a result of this same issue. He told me that i should wipe my tears that he is going to help me.I don't believe that in the first place.He said he will introduce me to a spell caster that we help me cast a spell on my lover and will make her to love me more than before,Really this was done and the spell caster assured me that in the next 24 hours time that my lover is going to be calling me on phone.Then i travel back to UK the following day and i called him when i got home and he said he's busy casting the spells and he has bought all the materials needed for the spells,He said i am going see positive results in the next 24 hours that is Thursday. To my greatest surprise My girlfriend called me at exactly 12:35pm on Thursday and apologies for all she had done. she said,she never knew what she's doing and her sudden behavior was not intentional and she promised not to do that again.It was like am dream when i herd that from her and when we ended the call,I called the man and told him my wife called and he said i haven't seen anything yet,He said i will also get my job back in 3 days time.And when its was Monday very early in the morning,They called me at my place of work that i should resume working on Tuesday and they will compensate me for the time limit have spent at home without working. My life is back into a very good shape,I have my girlfriend back and we are happily married now with kids and i have my job back too.This man is really powerful.If we have up to 10 people like him in the world, The world would have been a better place,He has also helped many of my friends to solve many problems and they are all happy now. Am posting this to the forum for anybody that is interested in meeting the man for help.You can email him on: great.spellcaster@yahoo.com i cant give out his number cos he told me he don't want to be disturbed by many people across the world. He said his email is okay and he will replied to any email Asap and when you must have contact he can then give out his phone number to whom that will want to speak with him on phone..hope he helped you out too.Good Luck as you email him on the following email: great.spellcaster@yahoo.com
GET YOPUR SPELL CASTED BY READ AND SELECTING CAREFULLY THE PROBLEM YOU MIGHT BE FACING IN LIFE!
Tue May 21 2013 06:54
Hello to people that want to be Great,
Get your problem solve in Kuq Ya oracle temple / shrine ...You can get the bellow problems solve here.I will want you all to know that there is no side effect to this spell casting at all,It just to help you get what you want in-other ,And you will also be free from fake spell casters if you come for solution to your problems here. 1. Get your scam money back 2.} Bring back lost lover, even if lost for a long time 3.} Remove bad spells from homes, business & customer attraction etc. 4.} Get promotion you have desired for a long time at work or in your career. 5.} Read all your problems before you even mention them to him 6.} Remove the black spot that keeps on taking your money away 7. Find out why you are not progressing in life and the solution 8.} Eliminate in family fights 9.} Ensure excellent school grades even for children with mental disabilities 10.} Stop your marriage or relationship from breaking apart 11.} I destroy and can send back the Nikolos if requested 12.} We heal barrenness in women and disturbing menstruation 13.} Get you marriage to the lover of your choice 14.} Guarantee you win the troubling court cases & divorce no matter how what stage 15.} Ensure success in work and business 16.} Mental illness & bewitched 17.} Can?t sleep at night or walking at night 18.} Recover stolen property and whereabouts of people that hurt you. 19.} Bring supernatural luck into 20.} Extreme protection for those doing dangerous jobs like security guards, Bank manager, cash transporters, Etc great.spellcaster@yahoo.com . READ UP CAREFULLY AND GET YOUR PROBLEM SOLVE:contact great.spellcaster@yahoo.com .
SEND YOUR EMAILS TO US ON: great.spellcaster@yahoo.com TO GET YOUR SPELL CASTED AND SOLVE ANY KIND OF PROBLEM YOU ARE PASSING THROUGH !!
Tue May 21 2013 06:52
Hello all,
Why must we be confused by all this online scammers when we all know that there has never been any other oracle apart from the the great spell casters called lama lama oracle temple, The great oracle and also the i my self called kuq ya that is greatest of all,Kuq ya means GREATEST AMONG ALL THE SPELL CASTERS...This oracle has been in existence for so many years even before i was born i inherited it from my great father..Since we have been existing we have never failed in solving any kind of problem anyone must have been having cos we know the spirits that we serve we never lets us down,We perform various sacrifice to this spirits from time to make our powerful and doings ineffective..This temple is out on the internet to tell of you that is wasting your time and also your hard earned money dealing with all this hungry souls that called there self spell casters and bring cause to themselves by claiming to be what they are not,We advise you all that you should stop it as it is no right to do such a thing,Because those spell caster that called there self different names / temples are scammers,You will do this greatest oracle good by doing that ok..They are scammers and all those testimony there are posted by them also and not the people they have help,They are doing all this to get money to fed there-self and there family members !!! BE WARNED ALL !!.. I have made so many of them online that are spoiling this great temple good work go back to the sea and some blind.I am Dr Kuq Ya the messenger to the great oracle of Nigeria,Indian,Indonesia,Singapore,UK,USA,Uganda,japan,Spain,Germany and Paris..We are know well there as the great temple that has helped them get many of there ANCESTRAL problems solve in recent times..But we are also extending this great offer to those that have any kind of problem,when i mean any kind of problem i mean any problem at all you might be having in this life,Such as getting your love back,you want to be rich, you feel like using charms on someone to get something your like from him or her or getting your scam many back,to mention but a few.. KUQ YA IS HERE FOR YOUR SERVICES AND PLEASE STOP DEALING WITH THOSE SO CALLED SPELL CASTERS THAT HAVE REALLY MESSED UP THIS WORK ONLINE.I HAVE NEVER BEEN ONLINE,BUT THE PRESIDENTS OF THE ABOVE COUNTRIES CALLED ME ON PHONE AND ALSO PERSONALLY HOLD A MEETING AND THEY ASK ME THE MESSENGER TO START ADVERTING AND TELL ALL ABOUT THIS GREATEST ORACLE DURABLE,PERFECT,MARVELOUS,AND GOOD WORKS TO AVOID THIS SCAMMING THAT IS GOING ON ONLINE... I WILL BE ENDING HERE NOW, IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING BOTHERING YOUR MIND AND YOU NEED PERMANENT SOLUTION TO IT WITHOUT ANY SIDE EFFECT OR HARM,KINDLY SEND AN EMAIL TO THE FOLLOWING EMAIL ADDRESS: great.spellcaster@yahoo.com...Thanks and may the spirits guide you to read and understand what i said and also we will be awaiting response from you all that have problems that want it solve at once..
Thanks for your patronage as you come.
Valencia
Tue May 21 2013 06:50
Greetings to all,
I am Valencia,I am out here to spreed this good news to the entire world on how i got my ex love back.I was going crazy when my love left me for another girl last month,But when i meet a friend that introduce me to Dr Kuq Ya the great messenger to the oracle that he serve,I narrated my problem to Dr Kuq Ya about how my ex love left me and also how i needed to get a job in a very big company.He only said to me that i have come to the right place were i will be getting my heart desire without any side effect.He told me what i need to do,After it was been done,In the next 1 to 2 days,My love called me on the phone and was saying sorry for living me before now and also in the next one week after my love called me to be pleading for forgiveness,I was called for interview in my desired company were i needed to work as the managing director..I am so happy and overwhelmed that i have to tell this to the entire world to contact Dr Kuq Ya at the following email address and get all your problem solve..No problem is too big for him to solve..Contact him direct on: great.spellcaster@yahoo.com and get your problems solve like me..
Thanks to the month speaks of great spell caster temple called kuq ya.
Tue May 21 2013 06:48
I am Stephen by name and i am located in Spain,I recently saw a testimony about a spell caster of some sort in a blog I visit for relationship and dating counseling problems because i had been having serious problems with my boyfriend and we had been dating for 1 year, He just suddenly changed, He wasn't returning my calls, He started cheating, He was hurting me in so many ways i never thought possible and I just thought I should try this spell caster called Dr Kuq Ya, Cos there are so many good comments about him on the website, But before i could read his post,I have already contacted many spell caster that cheated me out of my hard earned money without given me result.But when i meet this spell caster out of desperation of some sort.I decided to contact them to please render there help to me, I explained all the problems that i was going through to him and he told me all i needed to do to get this spell casted. At first everything felt dreamy and unbelievable, Their consultations and solution was a little bit easy and strange and I was scared a little cos I had read and heard lots of stories of fake spell casters, scams and i never really believed in magic. I played along with a little hope and faith and I was sent some few stuffs after everything and it worked like a miracle, everything went to a whole new direction, it was and is amazing. I guess it was all good faith that made me read That particular post that faithful day.I hope they could help other people too like they did to me. I did a little and I got everything I wanted and wished for, My husband, My family and my life back You can contact Dr Kuq Ya at: great.spellcaster@yahoo.com.com because he changed my life.
Joy
Tue May 21 2013 06:47
Hello to you all out there that want there problems that have been worrying them solve,Here is my own story,
wooow !! It good to say to you all that there is noting that can not be done at the temple of great spell temple were Kuq Ya is the messenger and the month speaks of the gods,Oh thank you so much Kuq Ya,You have really restored back my joy and happiness without any effect to it,You did it peacefully to get back my love,my Job, and also helping me recover my scam money from those online loan scammers that almost rip me off my hard earned money.The most Joyful part of it all is that i am getting married to my love that he help me to restored by making consultation with the great oracle. If want to be happy like me forever,Just email him via: great.spellcaster@yahoo.com for help and he is willing to direct you on how you will go about it ok.
dani
Sun May 19 2013 00:34
for dani writes:

"for dani: I'd definitely use a relationship spell but if the relationship's problems are from a break up, I'd use a reconcile love spell too and if the problems were a lack of love, I'd use a love spell and if it were a lack of passion, I'd use a passion spell, if you want to move it up to the next level of marriage someday, I'd definitely cast a marriage spell, hope that helps!"email now dodogodssolution@yahoomail.com

Stephanie.
Sun May 19 2013 00:33
Get your lover back: Your lover left you? Don't loose your time, he or she must still have feelings for you and must be getting trough a period of doubts. Take advantage of these doubts and ask me to do a spell now. This spell is specially designed for love issues. It will bring back the most intense passion he or she have had for you. Attention, this ritual will be successful only if you have been separated for less than 6 months. Beyond 6 months or for a permanent solution, contact me for a free consultation. If you are sure she or he is your soul mate and you want him/her back, this spell is for you. dr,rivershebalisthome@gmail.com
Anonymous
Fri May 17 2013 08:00
my name's Cynthia i want every one on this site or forum to join me thank this DRcafaispiritualtemple@gmail.com for what he just did for me and my kids . my story goes like this i was married to my husband for 5 years we were living happily together for this years and not until he traveled to Italy for a business trip where he met this prostitute who be witched he to hate me and the kids and love her only so when my husband came back from the trip he said he does not want to see me and my kids again so he drove us out of the house and he was now going to Italy for to see that other woman. so i and my kids were now so frustrated and i was just staying with my mum and i was not be treating good because my mama got married to another man when my after my daddy death so the man she got married to was not treating i and my kids well so i was so confuse and i was searching for a way to get my husband back to me and my kids so one day as i was browsing on my computer i saw a testimony about this MAN DR CAFAI of cafaispiritualtemple@gmail.com shared on the internet by a lady and it impress me too so i also think of give it a try at first a was scared by when i think of what me and my kids are passing through so i contact him and he told me to stay calm for just two days that my husband shall be restored to me and to my best surprise i received a call from my husband on the second day asking after the kids and i called Dr CAFAI and he said your problems are solved my child so this was how i get my family back after a long stress of brake up by an evil lady so with all this help from DR CAFAI of cafaispiritualtemple@gmail.com i want you all on this forum to join me to say a huge thanks to DR CAFAI and i will also advice for any one in such or similar problems or any kind of problems should also contact him for help Good bye
Cynthia
Fri May 17 2013 07:56
my name's Cynthia i want every one on this site or forum to join me thank this DRcafaispiritualtemple@gmail.com for what he just did for me and my kids . my story goes like this i was married to my husband for 5 years we were living happily together for this years and not until he traveled to Italy for a business trip where he met this prostitute who be witched he to hate me and the kids and love her only so when my husband came back from the trip he said he does not want to see me and my kids again so he drove us out of the house and he was now going to Italy for to see that other woman. so i and my kids were now so frustrated and i was just staying with my mum and i was not be treating good because my mama got married to another man when my after my daddy death so the man she got married to was not treating i and my kids well so i was so confuse and i was searching for a way to get my husband back to me and my kids so one day as i was browsing on my computer i saw a testimony about this MAN DR CAFAI of cafaispiritualtemple@gmail.com shared on the internet by a lady and it impress me too so i also think of give it a try at first a was scared by when i think of what me and my kids are passing through so i contact him and he told me to stay calm for just two days that my husband shall be restored to me and to my best surprise i received a call from my husband on the second day asking after the kids and i called Dr CAFAI and he said your problems are solved my child so this was how i get my family back after a long stress of brake up by an evil lady so with all this help from DR CAFAI of cafaispiritualtemple@gmail.com i want you all on this forum to join me to say a huge thanks to DR CAFAI and i will also advice for any one in such or similar problems or any kind of problems should also contact him for help Good bye
mark Andersen
Fri May 17 2013 03:58
This was even faster than I could dream of, dr.rivers(dr.rivershebalisthome@gmail.com). Thank you for taking time to listen to me and answering all my emails. I feel emotional strong again. My confidence is back and I see my future clearly. I am forever grateful for your help for re-uniting me with my old lover.

mark Andersen, Seattle, new york

kate
Fri May 17 2013 03:56
I ordered a spell on a friday night and on Monday the place I applied for a job called
for me to come by their office. They gave me the job I applied for and made me an offer
of more per hour than I have ever made in my life! I am so happy! The government jobs
sometimes are a slow process. You somehow managed to speed up that process, and I
start in just a few days! dr,kokotemple i will be forever grateful thank onces again ok
you can call on him for help on his email address dr,kokotemple@gmail.com
prinsca Martin f
Fri May 17 2013 03:52
I am prinsca Martin from spain. i orded a goodluck spell from Dr.churchofproblemsolved. and Within four days of completing my order everything seemed to change for the better. I had a call from my ex boyfriend and we are now seeing each other again and things are looking very good in that department. The very next day I was offered a major part in a leading UK. show after many auditions without success. churchofproblemsolvedchurch@yahoo.com i advice you to go and tell him you problems and you will see it will be solved. thanks to you all
miss loveth
Fri May 17 2013 03:46
loveth

I have had pleasure of conversing with this gentleman for a number of years. He is my inspiration. He is my rock. Without him I would not be able to look back at my life with such ease and grace, he has shown me how. GOD BLESS YOU dodogodssolution@yahoo.com / posted by miss loveth

velvet foster
Fri May 17 2013 03:45
My name is velvet foster I am from Florida my Testimony goes to Love spiritual temple, Me and my ex breakup 2 months ago and he told me that he don't love me any more and went to be with another Girl's was still in love with him and need her back I try to get him back but all my effort was in vain until I reach out to the internet for help and I saw a testimony of a spell caster, I decided to give it a try and I contacted him and tell him my problem. He cast a love spell for me and guarantee me of three days that my ex will come back to me and to my greatest surprise my ex come back to me and beg for forgiveness and promise never to live me again, I am so happy my ex is back to me again, thank you ultimate Priest suzu Paul for reuniting me and my ex back together again. If you need him to help you contact them today and all will be well with you..email him now at homeofhelpingsolution@yahoo.com

velvet foster
thanks

Anonymous
Fri May 17 2013 02:43
Hello readers, I want to testify and thank this powerful spell caster who helped me bring back my family together again. My wife left me for about 2years she left with my two kids I love them so much and I don't want to loose site of them. I tried all I could to bring them back, but non worked for me until my friend introduced me to this spell caster called ekadu, he cast a spell for me and after 3days of hie spell, I got a call from my wife begging me to forgive her and take her back. Today my family is back together happily. You can also contact him for any kind of help, he is a very powerful psychic. Contact him on ekaduspell@hotmail.com
marry
Fri May 17 2013 02:43
Hello readers, I want to testify and thank this powerful spell caster who helped me bring back my family together again. My wife left me for about 2years she left with my two kids I love them so much and I don't want to loose site of them. I tried all I could to bring them back, but non worked for me until my friend introduced me to this spell caster called ekadu, he cast a spell for me and after 3days of hie spell, I got a call from my wife begging me to forgive her and take her back. Today my family is back together happily. You can also contact him for any kind of help, he is a very powerful psychic. Contact him on ekaduspell@hotmail.com
rose
Thu May 16 2013 04:50
my name is rose
My ex-boyfriend dumped me one weeks ago after I accused him of seeing someone else and insulting him. I want him back in my life but he refuse to have any contact with me. I was so confuse and don't know what to do, so I reach to the internet for help and I saw a testimony of how a spell caster help people to get their ex back so I contact the spell caster and explain my problem to him and he cast a spell for me and assure me of 48hours that my ex will return to me and to my greatest surprise the third day my ex came knocking on my door and beg for forgiveness. I am so happy that my love is back again and not only that, we are about to get married. Once again thank you dr.kokotemple. You are truly talented and gifted. Email: dr.kokotemple@gmail.com is the only answer. He can be of great help and I will not stop publishing him because he is a wonderful man




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