Photograph by Matthew Hull.
You have the right to say whatever you want online. You can say it in the comment section below or you can say it on your own blog. You can visit an internet newspaper and comment there too.
But you do not have the right to expect a response.
Do you know your rights?
Think about your rights for a moment.
Reviewing my year-old thoughts on anonymity, I questioned whether anonymity/pseudonymity was anachronistic. I wondered if people should write online as “John Smith” or as “FatJohn,” and you shared your thoughts.
I wrote on my civic blog that residents have the right to write comments using whatever names they felt most comfortable, and that it is our choice to read and respond to their pseudonymity, regardless of the vitriol therein.
Vitriol is protected speech under the First Amendment. Slander is not.
Should newspapers and blogs require persons use their real names?
With the jury out, I am reminded of a 2011 ruling protecting you.
Said the Illinois Court of Appeals:
Putting publishers and website hosts in the position of being a ‘cyber-nanny’ is a noxious concept that offends our country’s long history of protecting anonymous speech.
On this blog, you are welcome to write a comment using any name you choose. If you want people to respond to you as “John Smith,” be John Smith. But if you prefer to be “FatJohn,” don’t let me stop you.
Beyond your name, write whatever sentences you want in your comment. Be nice or be mean, the choice is yours. All I insist is you adhere to the comment policy and your comment will never be removed.
I want you to be free here. OK?
{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow.It’s a great photo shot on the fish it’s so big.I really like the ocean so clean and blue in their color.
Twitter: DannyBrown
January 10, 2012 at 11:54 PM
That’s an interesting approach from Illinois, as it kinda goes against most other beliefs in content and responsibility. But kudos to them, as they’re displaying some much-needed common sense and maturity.
Cheers for highlighting, mate.
+1 and “Like”. Well said Danny.
Are you agreeing with their stance, then?
It’s an interesting post Ari. I guess, why people specially bloggers tend to ask for commenters real names are because of trust and somehow to ensure that they are not a spammer. I’ve got your point about the right, but maybe it’s a sort of respect about other people’s right too.
I don’t know if Levi Nash is your real name or an anonymous/pseudonymous one; but in either case, thanks for writing a comment!
I thought you were going to change your mind again Ari!
I’m all about experimenting with tactics while keeping the strategy the same. The goal of this blog is to share ideas that (hopefully) evoke feedback.
Twitter: late_bloomers
January 12, 2012 at 5:40 AM
Hi, Ari, you have me somewhat confused as to what you wrote to me on LinkedIn and what you say in this post.
Anyway, I like that fish!
What’s confusing?
Twitter: late_bloomers
January 13, 2012 at 6:10 AM
Hi Ari,
Allow me to quote you from LinkedIn: “I just searched past comments for your name and I see you commented as Late_Bloomers which is likely why I didn’t reply. When I see people write as “things” and not “names,” it’s hard for me to respond. ”
This is quite clear to me and is not contradictory to what you write in your post but you follow it with: “Something to think about, Barbara. Comment as yourself. ” Which I actually always do.
Or, maybe it is two different things what you let people do and what you like?
You are welcome to comment as Late Bloomers — but you will see a comment quicker (if at all) if you use your real name. Clearer?
Twitter: freedommmc
January 12, 2012 at 1:28 PM
So Ari, you have decided to speak to truth to the people. More power to you for doing so.
Rights have to be used or somehow they go missing. HostGator has a post on their blog taking a stance against this crazy legislation. Godaddy dropped their support after one guy started a boycott, wow?
Your right to comment here under whatever name you want is different from the proposed SOPA/PIPA legislation which I oppose.
I always thought that your right is only as good as your able to enforce it. After all, each of us can filter what can be said or done in our own premises despite what others think or feel, right?
This is your place, so your rules. I have no problem with it.
This may be my blog but that was your comment and only you can be in control of what you write. As long as you abide by the aforelinked comment policy, be yourself.
It’s nice to see a blogger who isn’t afraid to leave up all of the appropriate comments, whether they’re good or bad for him. Thanks.
You bet, Callaway. That’s an unusual name. Why did your parents decide it, if you don’t mind?
Paying attention to your astounding post, I locate it is of the extraordinary experience and appropriate suggestions.
Personally, I prefer to use my own name as I think a reader might see more validity in what I post. I may be totally wrong, but it is what I do. I never expect a followup comment on what I might post as realize it might take an immense amount of time to respond to every post. Already, I am responding to comments on Facebook, Twitter …. sometimes it can be overwhelming.
John is your real name, then?
Yes. And, thanks for the reply, Ari!
I, actually, went to college – not far northwest of you – at New England College, in Henniker, NH
For blog entries and other casual/entertainment stuffs we can’t expect them to use their real name. But still fighting for my right is not at all a wrong attitude. I used some fake name on Facebook and I was told, can’t use it and then I created them with my real name and I don’t think whats the point by stopping me. I really don’t know.
Yeah i know my rights of freedom of speech but I will not take that chance to say or speak against the others..
hi Ari, thanks for the post and just wanted to say that over the last couple of years, the name you’ve made for yourself is certainly well-deserved. The web is better place because you’re in it. The Internet used to be cool once upon a time and then it got bad, and I’m hopeful that things will improve. But yes, spamming really sucks the fun out of blogging.
Look forward to your Monday Muse series…
cheers
I am bothered that nicknames/screennames has even become an issue. It is no different really than when people were using “handles” on CB radios, like truckers, for example. I don’t remember anyone making a fuss about that then, and still not now. Regulations, transparency, laws, etc.. just seem to enforce more control and less freedom. Nice points you make, Ari. Thanks for sharing your input!
Do you want to know how many people aka spammers have tried to comment here about preserving whales?
Those who use real names and not obvious fake names are writing real comments, not about whales when that is merely a picture here. Something to think about.
Really interesting stuff.
I’ve read a lot of articles lately on internet anonymity and I honestly think it’s not such a great idea. While I see the problems it could solve I worry that it would greatly diminish conversation online.
Great post, definitely gave me a lot to think about.
Trust. That’s the reason why some bloggers ask for real names. But personally, I don’t think it’s that necessary.
I don’t have any trouble with people using a pseudonym on my blog. However, I won’t let them “be” keywords. Picky I know but it’s spam control. I grew up in the early internet culture and pseudonyms protected me as a young female out here. However at the same time when it comes to keywords, SEO and the like, I have to make elements of control from my site. If someone wants to be Jane Doe @ My Fancy cite http://myfancysite.com that’s cool by me.
Kim
So, how do you respond to Tulsa Attorney’s name?
By reminding him that the courts will let him be John or Jane Doe LOL. He’s welcome to be John Doe @ Tulsa Attorney on my blog if he needs his anchor text but he may find himself a bit SOL if that’s a screenname he well really and truly uses everywhere. I’m pretty clear in my comment policy.
Kim
Fair enough, though it is noted he or she is not full of keywords, e.g. Tulsa Attorney Seeking Clients.
I agree with you there. However, I run keywordluv (or did till it became KeywordName with CLP) and I allow 4 keywords. So if s/he wanted to be John Doe @ Tulsa Attorney Seeking Clients … they certainly could be. I don’t object to giving good anchor text. I know that my blog is B2SMB. I just believe if you’re getting two dofollow, keyword rich, backlinks from me, you’re going to be polite and tell me who you are (or some derivation there of).
I have a little asian chic that comments on my blog and I teased her one day because I knew she wasn’t her very American name. She (by email) told me her name, in Mandarin of course, and I conceded that her current choice was much easier for me to pronounce! We had a good laugh.
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There are many blogs that do not really want any anonymous comments. But I feel everyone has a right to privacy. Some people have to hide their true names for real important reasons, which could be anything from emotional, family, or business reasons.
its too nice that you are offering other to comment here . from my experience no one wants any anonymous comments from others as they spams allot . i salute your step . best wishes . and btw that pic in the post is very nice .
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