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."

Recommended: Articles that may interest you

Facebook Comments
Site Comments

MRS MARY

Fri May 3 2013 23:53

MY TESTIMONY

i am Mary from the united state, I want to say this explicitly for its of a surprise that regardless of the internet fraud, i could still meet some one this genuine, am not here to talk on relationship, so don't be in the offing to hear that, but its something supplementary, for i seeked for a endorsement in my office for the past one year, but my boss asked me to lay with him, or no promotion, when i met dr dumedu he cast a spell for me and ask me to go to work and see what will happen, i went to work and saw my letter of endorsement waiting for me on my desk, just like that, i was so amazed, but i owe him the thanks....go to him for he will be of assistance, and please try to give him the chance he needs, for a chance might change your whole life...dumeduspelltemple@gmail.com

I am Miss Precious from USA, I promise to share this testimony all over the world once my boyfriend return back to me, and today with all due respect i want to thank OGBU BABA for bringing joy and happiness to my relationship and my family. I want to inform you all that there is a spell caster that is real and genuine. I never believed in any of these things until i loosed my boyfriend, I required help until i found ogbubabaspellcaster@yahoo.com a grate spell caster, And he cast a love spell for me, and he assured me that I will get my boyfriend back in two days after the spell has been cast. two days later, my phone rang, and so shockingly, it was my boyfriend who has not called me for past 3 years now, and made an apology for the heart break, and told me that he is ready to be my back bone till the rest of his life with me. OGBU BABA released him up to know how much i loved and wanted him. And opened his eyes to picture how much we have share together. As I'm writing this testimony right now I'm the most happiest girl on earth and me and my fiance is living a happy life and our love is now stronger than how it were even before our break up. So that's why I promised to share my testimony all over the universe.All thanks goes to OGBU BABA for the excessive work that he has done for me. Below is the email address in situation you are undergoing a heart break, and I assure you that as he has done mine for me, he will definitely help you too. ogbubabaspellcaster@yahoo.com

An amazing testimony on a spell caster who brought my wife back to me.. My name is Andy Sowers, i live in Australia,and I'm happily married to a lovely and caring wife, with a kid. A very big problem occurred in my family seven months ago,between me and my wife. so terrible that she took the case to court for a divorce. she said that she never wanted to stay with me again,and that she didn't love me anymore. So she packed out of my house and made me and my child passed through severe pain. I tried all my possible means to get her back,after much begging,but all to no avail. and she confirmed it that she has made her decision,and she never wanted to see me again. So on one evening,as i was coming back from work,i met an old friend of mine who asked of my wife. So i explained every thing to her,so she told me that the only way i can get my wife back,is to visit a spell caster,because it has really worked for her too. So i never believed in spell,but i had no other choice,than to follow her advice. Then she gave me the email address of the spell caster whom she visited zogospellcaster@gmail.com

So the next morning,i sent a mail to the address she gave to me,and the spell caster assured me that i will get my wife back the next day. What an amazing statement!! I never believed, so he spoke with me,and told me everything that i need to do. Then the next morning, So surprisingly, my wife who didn't call me for the past seven {7} months,gave me a call to inform me that she was coming back. So Amazing!! So that was how she came back that same day,with lots of love and joy,and she apologized for her mistake,and for the pain she caused me and my children. Then from that day,our relationship was now stronger than how it were before by the help of a spell caster. So, i will advice you out there to kindly visit the same website zogospellcaster@gmail.com,if you are in any condition like this,or you have any problem related to "bringing your ex back. thanks to the zogo spell caster for bringing back my wife,and brought great joy to my family once again.
Thanks...
Andy Sowers

anita

Thu May 2 2013 05:40

My Name is Anita, I wish to share my testimonies with the general public about what this man called Dr Cafai has just done for me , this man has just brought back my lost Ex husband to me with his great spell, i was married to this man called Steven we were together for a long time and we loved our self's but when i was unable to give he a child for 2 years he left me and told me he can't continue anymore then i was now looking for ways to get him back until a friend of mine told me about this man and gave his contact email (cafaispiritualtemple@yahoo.com) then you won't believe this when i contacted this man on my problems he prepared this spell cast and bring my lost husband back, and after a month i miss my month and go for a test and the result stated am pregnant am happy today am a mother of a baby girl, thank you once again the great Dr Cafai for what you have done for me, if you are out there passing through this same kind of problems you can contact he today on his mail ( cafaispiritualtemple@yahoo.com ) and he will also help you as well."

blessing

Mon Apr 29 2013 19:27

My is nema blessing i want to thank this wonderful man who has brought light to my life.My God will continues to bless him for his good work for casting a good spell for me because he has help me.i must testify that this man is bless with his wonderful power as a spell caster and i must thank my friend who introduce me to this wonderful man called dr ogboni who make me find happiness in my life again.After 1 day when this wonderful man cast this spell for me my life change automatically my Divorce wife who has left me for another man for the pass 2 years came back to me for begging for forgiveness which i never could have say no to her. But now my family is very happy that we are together now his email address is ogbonispelitemple@hotmail.com

Anthony

Mon Apr 29 2013 03:25

Hi people i want to thank this great name dr ogogodu for what he has done for me and my family my wife left me and i also loosed my job,for good 2years i was so frustrated that i almost killed myself the little money i had i used it in casting spell but i fell in the hands of fake spell caster's online.Until i came in contact with Dr ogogodu This Dr ogogodu is a man who is not online to make money or add more pain to your pain He is just here to help when i told him my problem,he just told me everything will be ok.That i should just give him 2days since i was casting 2spells i said ok and was putting my mind on him and to my notice Dr ogogodu did not fail me on the 2rd my ex called me and said she was sorry.And i was also called in my office that i should resume work the next day that they will pay for all the damages they have caused to me am so happy all thanks to dr ogogodu he is a man to trust and believe.You can contact him on is private mail ogogodutempleofsolution@gmail.com or ogogodutempleofsolution@hotmail.com cell number +2348078999655
Name:Anthony
Country:Usa

Micky Luguan

Sun Apr 28 2013 22:32

My name is Micky luguan am here to testify the great thing Dr okpa did for me, he brought back my love,who broke up with me for 2years without notice, i have been looking for how to get him back to my life butt it has been very difficult for me, so i have to try and get my mind out of him, but the problem was that i just cant,i was browsing at the internet when i saw lady named Jukain was helped by dr okpa, so i had to contact him and see if he can help me too, so that was how i contacted him and he told me not to bother my self over anything any more that as long as i have contacted him that my love will surly come back to me.he did not tell me when in the next 24hours surprisingly my love who has not called or texted me for 2years called me and start pleading and begging me to forgive him that he is really sorry for hurting me, i was so surprised and i did not know what to do i was short of words he pleading with me for long, in the next 5hour he came to my house still pleading,that was how we started again and now we are living happily than ever before,the most surprising part was that he bought me a car,and now am pregnant for him, all this are what i i wish for and i thank Dr okpa for making my dream to come to past with my love, if you need his help you can contact him via okpatempleofsolution@gmail.com or cell number +2348056563186

Name: Micky Luguan
Country: USA

Micky Luguan

Sun Apr 28 2013 21:15

Name: Micky Luguan
Country: USA

kate

Sun Apr 28 2013 11:04

Hello my name is Kate i know renowned spell caster who helped me when i had problem with my Husband if you need a right place to solve your problems contact DR OFURE SPELL TEMPLE is the right choice. he is a great man that have been casting spells with years of experience. he cast spells for different purposes like

(1) If you want your ex back.
(2) if you always have bad dreams.
(3) You want to be promoted in your office.
(4) You want women/men to run after you.
(5) If you want a child.
(6) You want to be rich.
(7) You want to tie your husband/wife to be yours forever.
(8) If you need financial assistance.
(9) Herbal care

Contact him today on: spellcast5temple@gmail.com 0r through his mobile:+2347055470055

Vanessa

Sun Apr 28 2013 07:26

I was amaze with Dr. Wicca spell because WOW is the first word that comes to my mind to describe your services.
Life can be very displeasing especially when we loose the ones we love and cherish so much. I was in a relationship with Gavin, we loved and cherished ourselves for 3 good years and every thing was going on smoothly but 2 month ago he left me for a strange girl i never thought about. But thank God today i am happy with him again. All thanks to Dr Wicca, I was nearly loosing hope until I saw an article on how Dr Wicca could cast a love spell to make lovers come back. There is no harm in trying, I said to my self. I contacted him and after talking with him, i know he is a man to trust. I am so happy now... I and my lover are living together happily.Words will not be enough to appreciate what Dr Wicca has done for me. I have promised to share the good news as long as i live. Dr Wicca is powerful and his spell are very effective. For those who might also want to give him a try. Email him on dr.wiccahightemple@gmail.com or find him on facebook on facebook.com/wicca.temple

Vanessa, USA

cassery

Sun Apr 28 2013 03:20

i don't just know how to say this,am just short of words and over happy for what,This great man has done for me,At first i taught Dr ogogodu was a scam,But the way he acted he acted like a man that have feelings and not ready to add pain to your pain like the way other fake spell caster does online,When i told Dr ogogodu my problem he just told me that everything will be okay within 24 hours and that my husband bright will come back to me and beg me for his mistake,i was happy and doubting so i decided to give Dr ogogodu a try,and Dr ogogodu did not fail really when the 24 hours completed my lover called me and beg me for forgiveness and also told me he has a special gift for me and also something to prove that he will never leave me for another woman,Bright bought me a New Benz C Class car and i also made me in charge of is account and pin to is ATM,Now i have all access to brights account am so grateful,Dr ogogodu thank you very much i will always praise your name for what you have done,Please if you need help contact Dr ogogodu on is privates mail ogogodutempleofsolution@gmail.com or ogogodutempleofsolution@gmail.com cell number +2348078999655

Name:cassery Tony

Country:Usa

Tanny Morck

Sat Apr 27 2013 22:48

My friends out there, am Tanny Morck from usa, am short of words i dont know where to start from, am just happy for getting back my love who left me for good 3years without calling or texting, i was in love with this boy named Patrick, we live together in love but suddenly he just changed and was in bad terms with me i know i never did anything wrong to him but he just decided to quite with me and the most painful part was that he was the one who broke my virginity so i love him so much but he never understood the love i have for him, so that was how he move away from New york, to San jose ca, and he never called me or texted for good 3years, his thought always come to my mind every minutes, so i have been looking for how to get him back to my life,so i have been contacting some spell casters happens to be scams, so i decided not to contact any spell caster,so there was a day i went to go and buy some papers, because am a reading type, so that was how i turned to a page and i saw testimony of love so i decided to read it then i saw how a man named Hudson was helped by Dr okpa in getting back his love,and i read that he also said it in radio stations,so i decided to wait if i will hear the testimony on radio too, so 2 days later i was watching television when i saw a man named harry was giving testimony on how this same Dr okpa brought back his wife and 2kids, i was so surprised then i had no doubt, immediately i contacted Dr okpa and i told him what i want he to me not to worry that he my love will come back to me within 24hours, i did not doubt him cause i have seen prove, so in the next 24hours which he said i got a call from Patrick he was pleading and begging me to forgive him, so the next day he came to my house in New york, in the presence of my 2 sisters he went on his knees pleading for me to forgive him, so i had to, then he said we should move to San jose ca, to stay, am writing this testimony in San jose ca,and am pregnant for him,and he bought me a new car and am happy now,you can contact dr okpa through okpatempleofsolution@gmail.com or cell number +2348056563186 for Help.

Tanny Morck

Sat Apr 27 2013 19:35

Anonymous

Sat Apr 27 2013 02:46

I am marcy i live in usa i want to thank this man for help me to get my ex back within 24hour this was how this great man help me to get my ex back i was in love with him for more than 4 years we live happily so this year on this month jenuary he now told that he was tried with me so that i should live him that he did not love me so i crying i told that i love him he say no that i should live him so i was now contacting some spelll caster who scam me oneday i listing to the radio when i heard a woman give thanks to this great man that help her so the next time was listen to the radio a heard many people give testimony to this man so one of the woman said that this man does not use black magic that man use God power to help people with there relationship the station now give the email of this great man i contact him so when i now contact him he told me that my ex is going to come to me in the next 24hours at first i did not believe him i was thing that he want to scam me so an how can be this be possible so to my greatest surprise in the next 24hours i saw my ex in my house pleading to me that i should forgive him i now forgive now we are happy now thank to dr ogogodu for help me my ex now want to marry me and he buy me a new car so if you need is help and you have problem of relationship and you want to give testimony like me or may be you have be look for a real spell caster contact dr ogogodu this is email ogogodutempleofsolution@gmail.com or ogogodutempleofsolution@hotmail.com or you can call with this number +2348078999655 thanks dr ogogodu

Anonymous

Fri Apr 26 2013 17:51

I am marcy i live in usa i want to thank this man for help me to get my ex back within 24hour this was how this great man help me to get my ex back i was in love with him for more than 4 years we live happily so this year on this month jenuary he now told that he was tried with me so that i should live him that he did not love me so i crying i told that i love him he say no that i should live him so i was now contacting some spelll caster who scam me oneday i listing to the radio when i heard a woman give thanks to this great man that help her so the next time was listen to the radio a heard many people give testimony to this man so one of the woman said that this man does not use black magic that man use God power to help people with there relationship the station now give the email of this great man i contact him so when i now contact him he told me that my ex is going to come to me in the next 24hours at first i did not beliver him i was thing that he want to scam me so an how can be this be posible so to my greatest surprice in the next 24hours i saw my ex in my house pleading to me that i should forgive him i now forgive now we are happy now thank to dr ogogodu for help me my ex now want to marry me and he buy me a new car so if you need is help and you have problem of relationship and you want to give testimony like me or may be you have be look for a real spell caster contact dr ogogodu this is email ogogodutempleofsolution@gmail.com or ogogodutempleofsolution@hotmail.com or you can call with this number +2348078999655 thanks dr ogogodu

crystal

Thu Apr 25 2013 23:49

My name is Miss Crystal and I'm from the United States.I'm writing this testimony to tell anyone who needs help No matter if it's help for love,money or anything else there's only one place to go to get this help there's nothing to big they can help you with whatever your problem is. I had contacted them to get some help the oracle was very understanding in my situation and my problem the oracle told me everything I had to do to get this help and what was required of me,the oracle was always there to answer any question I had and was always quick in responding to my questions or any problem I had. They will be there for you every step of the way and will be by your side for as long as you need them. The oracle will solve any of your problems and get you the out come you deserve and want. If you want your lover back or you need help with any other situation all you have to do is contact this email address and ask for help.They are caring and understanding and will help you every step of the way.I never believed in magic or that there was anyone who could help until I contacted this email icandoshrinetemple@gmail.com.if u need help this is the email to contact. Thank you so much icandoshrinetemple@gmail.com

jenny max

Thu Apr 25 2013 23:41

First of all,I want to thank Dr ikuku for what he has done for me,Am so happy today and i have stopped thinking,After my husband toddy left me for another woman he said i was not good enough and that he hates me,i cried because i really loved toddy with all my heart.Then i decided to come online and look for a spell caster to help me bring back toddy,All they kept doing was to scam me off my money,Until God directed Dr ikuku to me,At first when i meant Dr ikuku i was thinking he also wants to scam me off my money,But he told me to give him a chance that what will he gain if he adds pain to my pain,That all he wants his my happiness,So i decided to give him a chance,and he told me that toddy will be back to my arms within 48 hours,i said okay truly when Dr ikuku cast this spell my lover toddy called me and said he wanted to tell me something i was shocked,He told me that i should forgive him,That he loves me with all his heart and promise never to leave me,Dr ikuku also told me that ones toddy comes back to me he is going to buy me a gift,Toddy Bought me a Brand New Car,And i also had access to his account to prove to me that he will never leave me,You can contact Dr ikuku for help and he will never disappoint his email ikukutempleofsolution@gmail.com Or cell Number +2348034458597

Name:Jenny Max

Country:Usa

Annie Cindy

Thu Apr 25 2013 09:03

This is just Like a big Dream to me i can never believe this is happening to me after 2 years of broken marriage at Last Auspro his back to my arms with the help of this great man called Dr ikuku,After my Lover Auspro broke up with me without no reason i was in deep pain because i loved Auspro with all my heart because he was my first love and the one that gave me joy,i tried all my best to get Auspro back but all ways never seems to be possible everybody we i meant just kept on lying to me that everything would be okay,But yet i did not get back Auspro,This world was lonely without Auspro but when my helper came Dr ikuku who came and clean the tears away from my face because Auspro promised to get married to me but he did not fulfill his promise,Then i told Dr ikuku what has happened to me how my Lover Auspro Left me without no reason Dr ikuku told me to clean my tears that he assure me that Auspro would come back to my arms within 24 hours i was shocked and put all my trust on Dr ikuku and Dr ikuku did not betray my trust that i had for him told am with Auspro he came back and apologize to me and our wedding date was fixed and he made me had access to everything he has am so happy please my friend i would love you people should kindly come for our wedding which is taking Place on the 11th of May 2013 am so happy and joyful may Dr ikuku name be praised and am going to spread this news continuously to the whole world for the great thing this man has done for me called Dr ikuku,Please make your tears stop and be happy you can contact Dr ikuku on ikukutempleofsolution@gmail.com or cell number +2348034458597
Name:Annie Cindy

Country:United State of America

Add comment

I am not posting spam. I understand posting spam or other comments that are unrelated to this article will cause my comment to be flagged for deletion and possibly cause my IP address to be permanently banned from this server.

log out

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

Recommended: Articles that may interest you

257 comments