Anonymity in Internet

by Paulo Coelho on February 23, 2009

What about people who hide behind anonymity when they write comments in the internet?

In my opinion this is the dark side when you are empowered by the fact that you don’t have to be liable for your opinions.
I’m saying this because I met Jeff Jarvis from buzzmachine.com and Michael Arrington from TechCrunch.com and they told me that they are insulted every single day – and in the case of Arrington someone even spat on his face.

If we stood by our opinions, I think we should put our name next to it. However, if you go to any newspaper site and click on comments, you see that most people use nicknames in order to insult what people do.

So, I would like to hear your opinion on anonymity in the internet.

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{ 255 comments… read them below or add one }

sure but not sure! January 11, 2010 at 7:00 pm

well, to this point, I c another reason behind hiding the real names…for me, I just hide it or change it in order to live another life and to b onether person..not afraid from being known or any of that u said..but simply to b a new born man in a new born existence.

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clodomiro Ferreira de Sousa filho December 24, 2009 at 12:15 pm

A meu ver a Internet facilita a critica destrutiva das pessoas que tem uma opinião sobre um determinado assunto ou sobre uma pessoa.
Elas usa da facilidade de se manterem anónimas para criticar , ofender os outros sem ter que se preocupar com uma resposta por parte dos ofendidos
Pessoas medrosas e que demonstra total insegurança sobre seus atos e suas opiniões e sempre vivem no anonimato incapazes de chamar para si a responsabilidade pelos seus atos.
E vou alem com a facilidade que a Internet proporciona a essas pessoas elas manifestam o seu lado negro de ser sua verdadeira personalidade, por que se são incapazes de assumirem seus atos em um comentario ou critica na Internet imaginem pessoalmente cara a cara com quem querem ofender .
Pessoas que não querem correr o risco de perder a sua mascara angelical a sua falsa identidade de uma pessoas legal asma de qual quer suspeita incapaz de criticar algo ou aguem.
Para todas essas pessoas só tenho a dizer sinto vergonha.

Clodomiro Ferreira de Souza Filho

Feira de Santana Ba

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marie-christine February 22, 2010 at 11:17 pm

Estou interessada em saber quantas pessoas usa de manteremse anonimas para criticar?
Comeca a fzer de esta manera muita vezes antes em este blog. E absolumente verdad lo que dize que e uma demonstracion de inseguridada (para mim)
E como Marco Bastos “eu vi que lo que escrito ter sentido practico par ajudar talvez a la humanidade.
Percebo sua posicao.
Obrigada.
Marie-Christine

Gabriel December 21, 2009 at 2:30 am

It’s obvious.

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Victoria December 16, 2009 at 8:52 pm

all have the middle name, like the second I

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Acacio da Paz December 5, 2009 at 2:09 pm

No me gusta el anonimato…no me cae nada bien.
Mismo que tenga que dicer algo na cara; prefiro ser sincero do que hipócrita; asi sigo la vida mas ligera conmigo mismo. Si gustan bien si no gusta bien tambien.
Asi es ….mejor conmigo do que no saber quien yo soy.
Acacio da Paz

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tatjana milosevic November 23, 2009 at 3:17 pm

MULTIPLE PERSONALITY.
Everybody have them,some of us do not give them names ,some do…
I was 100% sure that even Paulo Coelho have “other” name “here” in the “internet”and that He talk to us as one of us..it is just my imagination…it is just my idea ,why I think like that ..hmm because whole idea of life under spot lite is like life in prison…and that famous people are tired some times of being famous and they want to prove them self as a ordinary people ,as a free people..that is why they walk among us with fake names,dark glasses,big hats,tinted windows they crave anonymity some times….internet is perfect “couch” ..cheap psychiatrist…

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sohbet November 22, 2009 at 1:27 pm

Thank you very much for this useful article and the comments

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return2earth November 17, 2009 at 10:01 pm

Anonymity is a blessing and a curse. There are some of us who want to make statements about what what’s going on in the world yet who are aware that privacy and freedom of speech are a crock.. the government gathers information about our website usage from all over. For example there are many people who believe that facts are being withheld.. that stories put out about world events are untrue.. growing unrest. Given that mart i a l law is a possibility.. it’s kind of scary.

And then there are those who would insult and name call without justification or evidence. They are not willing to debate openly, they only want to hurt and poison a cause. There are groups who hire themselves out for various internet ventures.. from getting publicity to discrediting those who speak the unspeakable truth… I know a friend hired them.. They are underground and not easy to reach.. but they are like internet mercenaries.. They will of course remain anonymous or even better [for them] they will devleop false names that suggest they are one thing when they are not..

Perhaps I’m paranoid.. but I don’t think so… I feel it all around as more information surfaces.. so for me anonymity is my right and I have nothing but good intention and integrity in what I speak…

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candieb November 16, 2009 at 11:17 pm

Once you cross that line,you can’t undo.You got to accept for the best and for the worst.

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Ramesh November 16, 2009 at 1:45 pm

I dont understand why people are shying to put their name..It a great feature wherin by just posting comment you can add value to your very own website.i.e backlinks

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Iqra November 25, 2009 at 12:57 pm

In my imagination I think they do that because on internet they are totally different person from who they are in reality. And if they know someone who knows will read his/her comment (with their name on it) they’ll know the “other” side of them!
This is just an wild guess.

Walte Call November 15, 2009 at 2:00 pm

Thank you for superb article. But I had difficulty navigating around your website as I kept getting 502 bad gateway error. Just thought to let you know.

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Paulo Coelho November 15, 2009 at 2:31 pm

THANK YOU I already forwarded it to my webmaster, I hope he will fix it, even if it is Sunday

David October 22, 2009 at 9:01 am

Anonymity is necessary in this judgmental world. Everyone is on a mental journey in their life and the opinions we hold today may not be the same ones we hold twenty years down the line. Sounding off my opinions helps me discover myself right now and anonymity means I don’t have to be judged. Some people abuse this privilege, but then again, that’s their prerogative.

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Marie-Claire July 22, 2009 at 12:45 am

Despues de leer todos los comentarios, coincido con que si uno decide dar una opinion, sincera y con fundamentos, no tiene porque esconderse en el anonimato ni pensar que esto nos puede traer consecuencias negativas.
Somos personas unicas y debemos estar orgullosos de esto! No veo el porque querer ser parte del rebaño…Ser unica es tan gratificante!!!

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Dances With Crayons July 19, 2009 at 9:15 am

The problem, I think, are the actual people wanting to be cruel (bullying over the internet) in the first place. Why?
Providing a name may not really solve the problem, because if someone is so inclined to cause a problem, they can just borrow a name. From reading the comments here, I see there are positive and negative aspects to anonymity and do agree. It would be a shame to disallow comments all together, since most of us are congenial, and like to share an opinion, leave a kind word of thanks behind and also, many really find feedback helpful. Unfortunately, I do not know enough about how the internet works but it would be nice if there was moderation. I love music and feel sad when I see mean comments in YouTube. Love, Jane

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Cherie July 15, 2009 at 2:13 pm

I have heard of employers googling prospective employees names to find out more about them from their social networking pages etc. before deciding whether to hire them or not.
If you put something on the internet that is not anonymous it can become like a bad tattoo that you regret and can’t get rid of.
I guess the lesson is to think before you post something, and then think again.

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Brian June 19, 2009 at 6:54 pm

I am not anonymous. I am a person.

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Marie-Christine March 16, 2009 at 1:01 am

Tour de magie.

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elisa March 15, 2009 at 2:24 pm

just had a thought this morning
lol what if to prove a point that was left unexpressed by the provoking blog….paulo is answering as one of the repeated posters with another name
hehehe too funny
happy thinking!

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munrocea March 5, 2009 at 5:49 pm

My generation – kids of the 70s face a real strange time.. our grandparents were an all in to fight, deserters shot generation; their offspring reeled from the rations and cold war period of spying… now in our generations awakening – there is terror.. and all this hinging on the old ways that are still in our living grandparents memories , experiences and consequent teachings. There has been and still is, though the product has altered, an almost extremist way of having to present one’s self, identity; personhood, sexuality, etc etc… all that was expected of me was if I was Miss, Mrs or Ms.. that WAS my identity!!
To diverse from this was to be almost a deserter on the battlefield..
That which had the only sense of power, energy closely linked to my self through all this, was often my name as the rest of life held no footing. Many creative souls then did begin I remember taking on creative names to represent their own person identities – since society had attempted to strip them of this.. it was a way of reinvention.
Today, Sometimes with my peers – strangers: contacted on help lines, info lines etc.. i sometimes dislike the way my name is asked for and then donned with some Officer rank or whatever as my name becomes databased.
The internet is going through a transition and people are finding their way .. it is still new technology frankly for many people and that brings wariness i think.

I guess I am just fiercely defending my right to anonymity as a white person in Africa…. here I lose my identity: i am Sliminga: ‘white person’.
my identity is my country: USA? No! British .. actually, half Scottish and half English i answer.
My value is as of a female: are you single? do you wish to marry? I am a ‘bridge’ to Europe life.
Even if I dress discreetly or whatever, from the other end of a road, children will screech ‘allo, sliminga, ‘allo..
and that’s my daily reality – no time for reflection, pottering around villages in solitary peace…

so, i look forward to that right and integrity on the internet also. we don’t always ask someone their name when we briefly meet of chat – we just banter and share the fun of life for a moment.

I am a deeply private person, so what you may ask am I doing in Africa.. West Africa albeit!?!? Well, illness took me into introversion and I decided I needed a challenge which would waken me up and face life, demons, God etc.. I had stopped communicating and trusting because of bullying by people who never had time for me. I liked the internet blogs because in a way, you could experience that momentary street chat that is shared so freely, without formal introductions, rank and number transcribed etc etc.
It has been about getting back to real content and its meaning, rather than content and its status…. it didn’t occur that not writing my name – when there was suddenly this opportunity to explode with free ideas etc- that this would be seen as ‘anonymous.’
has not makind become far too scripted? “3,2,1, action”
the voice of childhood replaced by far too many frowns and silences… resignation to becoming another player, a puppet… the real joy of living drained out into repeated routine and drilling… conventionality raining hard on rearing another conscripted service army of men and women.
;o/
No, i will thank you for both allowing zero privacy and anonimity both together.. after all, it is God alone who knows our selves more than we alone can ;o)

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munrocea March 5, 2009 at 5:13 pm

… and that his how writers in journals or even just the news paper comments section, are regarded higher [given more kudos] than your average blog…
but then blogs are not printed for mass publication… its just chat/communication/discussion.

which is why some people might write anonymously, because elsewhere in most areas of life, visibility is all about something of status, rather than actual content… it has become far too polarised, though perhaps started intentionally to make visible only the well respected…
i would say now there can be exclusion.

sorry, quite jumbled.. but i think you could take the arguement back to, say.. the introduction of printing into society…. or how monks once were the only translators/readers of the Bible …

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munrocea March 5, 2009 at 2:03 pm

Well, I never saw Frodo in Lord of the Rings, singing “I’m off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of Oz” in Lord of the Rings!!!

nor did many of his closest friends know of his real mission and possesion of the ring. a certain amount of anonymity or secrecy rather, was required on his journey to face the ‘eye of Morden.’…

I think that maybe until the day when there are more decent blog sites – like Paulo Coelho’s here, then I would have to [in the meantime] agree with both Swiss and Satora in their comments…

Satora – on Principle 7 of the Declaration on freedom of communication on the Internet.
“How long will we have the right to remain anonymously is the real question – and those who are proposing legislation against this are for me THE DARK SIDE not people posting anonymously. Isn’t it always a question of power and control??”

Swiss
“in a world where lack of anonymity would only equate with transparency that leads to accountability maybe it would be important to do away with anonymity. But we live in a world where a lack of anonymity is clearly (among the above) a mechanism to strip people of their autonomy, to monitor them, control them. AND — to convey that monitoring and controlling is GOOD for them, in their best interest — that frightens me. ”

Furthermore I come from a very class-biased country, historically and continuing still into this present day. Names and surnames deliver an identity even before one has maybe had a chance to speak; thus cutting off opportunities for fair dialogue.

Anyway, some random ideas to add. ;o)

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Clare Devaney March 2, 2009 at 6:07 pm

What’s in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. The point is that who ever made those comments had a strong urge to express him / herself and was afraid that by revealing their true identity they would perhaps be sued for defamation of character. Why they did this, I do not know, the point is that they entered into communication, which is a two way process,meaning that they have opened themselves up to receiving a reply, and the message and communication will be received and read by the person in questionregardeless of their concealed identity, and the mask they chose to hide behind. And if the reply is nasty they too are capable of being hurt and offended. (added by Mobile using Mippin)

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Faith March 2, 2009 at 6:54 am

I am amazed too how people complain and leave so many negative comments (ever read YouTube comments?)… and they can’t even spell!

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Marie-Christine March 2, 2009 at 3:29 am

I am Leon
Leon the chameleon
Quiero decirle en esa international cancion
que le quiero todo un “monton’
Wie der Grundsatz von Archamedeon
Ich will meiner Leidenschaft folgon
Nonostante non posso giocare la “accordeon”
Spero che lei puo sentire il collegamento -n
Obrigado sendo tal icon
Permitindo que eu por essa informacao-n
Voce e tudo bom

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Elisabeth March 2, 2009 at 12:20 am

Todas las opiniones son maravillosas, me encanta todo lo que habeis puesto.

Yo utilizo un nik y siempre lo utilizaré, ( siempre mismo e-mail)es sólo un sueño que tuve,alguien me dijo que Yo era Elisabeth en otra vida,vi como vivía y como morí, intentando analizar mi sueño puedo llegar a varias conclusiones, o es el nombre de otra reencarnación, o es este nombre es símbolo de parte ocultas de mi personalidad, que no por ocultas son menos mias.

Miedo, valentía, seguridad,libertad de expresión, niños, mujeres solas, responsabilidad de opiniones, todo me parece valido, en mi mundo caben todas esas opiniones.

Lo que no cabe es tirar la piedra y esconder la mano, (creo que esto es de un pasaje de lapidación). Esto no cabe en mi mundo, y como tal intento no hacer a otros lo que no me gusta que me hagan. Pero tirar flores desde el anomimato si cabe en mi universo.

y Tirar flores, con una etiqueta bien grande, “YO SOY ELISABETH” bueno…. me parece el polo opuesto de esconderse en un nik…. bueno …. no juzgar… al fin y al cabo son flores, solo flores, que con el tiempo se marchitará.Disfrutemos de ellas, mientras.

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cheryl March 1, 2009 at 6:40 pm

“What’s in a name?”…
What do we really know when we know someone’s name?
And, who on earth is really able to hide? From who does one hide?
I believe that anonymity is just a personal choice, which may or may not affect the content of your expression.

What’s life without the requisite mystery,even if it happens to be deliberate?

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Mirza Rizvic March 1, 2009 at 4:35 pm

I just think people dont leave their names because they¨re afraid of the judge by other people about their notes or comments,simply we care 2 much what people are thinking about us and our thinkings.Mr. Coelho I like very much your work and I wish you a lot of luck and harmony in your future working..

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Satora March 1, 2009 at 4:12 pm

Principle 7 of the Declaration on freedom of communication on the Internet (Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 28 May 2003 at the Meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies)

Anonymity

The aim of this principle is first and foremost to underline that the will of users to remain anonymous should be respected. There are two aspects to this principle.

Firstly, users may have a valid reason not to reveal their identity when they statements published on the Internet. Obliging them to do so could restrict excessively their freedom of expression. It would also deprive society of potentially valuable information and ideas.

Secondly, users need protection against unwarranted on-line surveillance by public or private entities. Member States should therefore, allow the use of anonymity tools or software which enable users to protect themselves.

This principle has, however, its limitations. Member States should have the possibility of obtaining information about persons responsible for illegal activities within the limits laid down under national law, the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, in particular Article 8, and other relevant international treaties such as the Convention on Cybercrime.

How long will we have the right to remain anonymously is the real question – and those who are proposing legislation against this are for me THE DARK SIDE not people posting anonymously. Isn’t it always a question of power and control??

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Heiko March 1, 2009 at 3:00 pm

A Diskussion with nicknames is nothing more than the agreement to talk without a look on the person and their background.

This will on one side protect the personal life of the debatting participants, espescially when discussing delicate matters like work, belief and sexlife. Of course, on the other hand it allows the participants to drop false statements and accusations that cant be proven wrong.
Especially statements about personal experience and opinion are difficult. But nevertheless everyone can draw objective help from an anonymous discussion as long as he himself takes careful judgement of the provided arguments.
This requires a lot of media competence since each person has to judge by the statements itself and not by age, rank or grade.

A discussion using nicknames constricts the matters of discussion. There are dangerous things like discussing car pimping, drug experiences and electrical installations. Some information should only be presented to people of sufficient age, background or education. A moderator could decide if the given information is appropriate and the readers need to check whether the provided arguments are beneficial without background knowledge of their diskussion partners.

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Christine C March 1, 2009 at 2:36 pm

Over time that I read the posts in here or anywhere in the net, whether it be signed by a name (real or made up) or nick name, it is the words expressed that formed the ‘personality’ around the identity (even if it is a nick name).

The things a person write about gives the intent of that person. If it is written with love (sorry this word is so cliched these days) in his/her heart, it can be felt by the reader and sometimes the content can be a guiding light to the reader. Each of us are operating on so many different levels of awareness and acceptance .. good and bad..

The internet is another tool of communication. If somebody has ‘bad’ intentions, they can also be doing it straight at your face.

I want to say that at Paulo’s blog here, I feel a lot of love coming from the posts here, each as individual as the name or nick and aren’t we all from the same source.

Its easy to lay claims and judge and when we hurt others, aren’t we hurting ourselves too.

Christine C

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Irina Black March 1, 2009 at 8:04 am

Transformation.A stone can become a statue,when a work had been done.A Human Being can become an individual,when anonymity is taken away.To become unique-is to say ‘NO’ to everything,which is not you.It’s worth to pay any preise,which will be required,as the reward is to high:regaining yourself.

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Cristian Burceag March 1, 2009 at 7:20 am

It is the first thing someone thinks about before initiating a blog. When you know your ideas are coming straight from your soul and they can give birth to feelings when they touch other souls, you take the whole responsibility. If you do not identify with the one who write on your blog, you use a nickname.

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Dimas March 1, 2009 at 1:53 am

I think internet is a big new wide world. Many people are afraid from themselves and most of them are experimenting their introducing on it. Because this they can try on and do whatever they want without being punisehd for it. Sometimes is a kind of shame in this new world. Probably along this new journey these people will try to expose themselves after having more self-confidence.
Regarding those guys you mentioned, probably people didn’t like what they had written and took the opportunities to attack (out of their reason) them. In any public way you take the decision to place your opinion previously you have to be aware that neither everybody will agree with you. Even Jesus was unanimous.

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Nick Myers February 28, 2009 at 11:13 pm

To Josephine,

haha, indeed it might call us back to the source at some point, and makes us take up the sword to our own inner battles. If only a mirror could reflect our True Nature, the bodies in which everyone seems to associate themselves with would not matter. I think your comment is wonderful! :)

I do have some thoughts on previous posts as well though, that most have voiced about the safety of their character, but who’s character? The character your struggling for is not your own, it is only a collection of concepts that the body has attached to over the years, how can you possibly say that its you? Those habits, actions, thoughts, and beliefs, will not stay constant, so although they may be ‘truth’ to you now, they will not consistently be true. Your True Nature is so much more beautiful then that were the worry of a particular identity never comes into play because you and everyone else is part of the Absolute.

The physical body is known as the persona which innevitably means ‘mask’ so even in the context of the body, you still live within a mask. Enquire about who you are and you will find the beautiful Inner Beauty where war ceases (or never was)

The mind is ignorant of the Truth but until its cleaned (like a dirty mirror being cleaned and made apparent by the Self ‘Josephine’ ;)) you will feel a need for a reward or goal. Through down the notion of the individual person and that you’re trying to reach a goal and realize you are that beautiful Goal! The searching no longer is needed! <3

“Desire Nothing, For You Lack Nothing” – Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

I can say honestly that i love all of you for for me to not, would be to say that I do not relish my own Nature.

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ACompletelyRandomNickName February 28, 2009 at 10:40 pm

I’m hiding my identity atm. I’m a student in Computer Science and security is my major. (Of course, my IP is logged and my internet provider logs my activity and stores it for at least 2/3 years)

Hiding behind your nickname is not about trying to be sneaky or being shy. It is acting for the right to say what you want to whom you want. Internet is not a 2-way conversation, you don’t know who your audience is and they will scrutinize your comments without knowing you. Your future employer will look you up on the internet and judge you by words taken out of context.

Look, I’m all for positivity and openness, but try not to project your old views of openness on new technologies. I’m on an equal level now, because, you don’t know me and I don’t now you. We are sharing our thoughts by reflecting them onto our own ideas/idealisms/thoughts. You could see this as a wonderful opportunity to see yourself in the mirror.

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luce February 28, 2009 at 7:55 pm

Just to add, this happened in England !!!

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luce February 28, 2009 at 7:54 pm

Dear Cindy and Josephine,

After hearing tonight Italian TV news it is my time to change my mind, or at least give it thought.

There was service about a girl (Kimberly, 16) who lost her secretarial job because she wrote on her Facebook that it is boring whole day to coppy and destroy documents !!!

Such stupidity and reward for true comment ! If I were the boss I would have given the girl more demanding and challenging job. Who knows it could have brought positive change !

Now she lost job, but what he gained ? He just shaws his superficiality, stupidity and impotence to change possible negative thing into positive.

Probably it will increase the use of nick names and less openminded comments on Facebook with real name.

Pitty !

Love
Luce

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Mayda February 28, 2009 at 6:43 pm

Hi Paulo:

I’m a great fan of yours, and I feel so priviledged to be now here…

I agree that people that use the internet with anonymous names probably do so because of fear, and convenience… and when trying to put in words my opinion, an image came to my mind… the image of Judas when he -at the Last Supper-, was surrendering his Master – Jesus of Nazareth-, to the Jews… He didn’t have the courage to do it any other way… as if it was going to change anything… he still did what he did, and his action was not going to be secret for long. Playing anonymous games is not playing by the rules… and in the end, if you win, you cannot claim your prize until you declare your identity. When you lose, you don’t have to feel sorry for yourself, because – you fool yourself- nobody really knows.

On the other hand… if you know that you are going to be on the spot light, and you are not protected, -by your anonymity-, and you suspect that your audience is a group of KKK – meaning people that are covered and hidding behind a mask selected by the group, and empowered by the group anonymity… then, realize that you are on the path of suicide.

Does it make any sense to you…?

Mayda

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Loly M. B. February 28, 2009 at 4:48 pm

Throughout the ages people have worn masks in order to gain confidence or courage to do that which they would otherwise not do. People hide behind the mask and one could say that it is not courage they gain, but rather cowardness they exhibit. Hiding behind a mask can be for protection or for deceit; for whatever reason, it is something that humans have done for thousands of years and will no doubt continue to do so as long as it benefits them.

Loly

aka Loly

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m ali February 28, 2009 at 3:32 pm

As you said ur self it’s not that anonymity on the internet is a problem, but when the names or comments becomes public that’s when it is hard for most of us to cope the human expressions or public scrutiny. if I know that what I wrote does not judge my character, then I could write anything. in real life its different u r judged by everyone and eery second, so if a person just want to be famous without bearing the fruits of being discovered in the outside world then I think anonymity should be adhered to every often. However, saying this, I do’t thinlk that what most of the people think about others is exactly what they think of themselves as well or that they think liek that about thier friends or relatives. I hate back biting I even post a blog about it, but few of the close people I know do that as well, so do I have th ecourage of saying to them in front of theor faces, I think most of the people will say, No !!!.
I mean how ofetn we criticize ourself of being show offs in the outside world, but hey if we see someone else doing the same we start judging them instantly. (added by Mobile using Mippin)

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Josephine in Brussels February 28, 2009 at 2:42 pm

Dear Nick Myers – I sometimes think in similar ways too –

That which we dislike in others, are often (but not always) the parts we still have to work with, within ourselves.

There is so much projection from the psyche that we’re not aware of at all. Would a mirror above the computer-screen help?

*grin*
Josephine

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Cindy February 28, 2009 at 2:37 pm

Dear Luce,

It defenitly is.
And however sad it makes me feel, I rather stay up here under a fake name being able to speak freely, than using my real name with an unsafe feeling.
I think Tamin voices it beautifully as well.

Thanks,
Love

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luce February 28, 2009 at 1:28 pm

Dear Cindy,

Isn’t this Paulo’s and our blog such treasure ?!?

It makes us grow, see things more clearly, change our minds, wake us up and give us heat, make us surch within…

Love
Luce

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Tamim February 28, 2009 at 1:08 pm

Hello,

Well i didn’t read all 164 comments, but i suppose that all has been said.

I’ve benefited from internet Anonymity, in more than one way. I have a blog in arabic, in which i express some thoughts that are private, so anonymity gave me some degree of freedom from my shyness, and it loosened my pen – or keyboard in this case – giving me courage to write and publish without regard to what people might say, or what grammatical errors i make!
Another benefit is protection. I use nicknames, aliases,and an alternative email when registering on less than professional websites. whatever the reason, be it to make use of a certain service, or just to have fun chatting, it is a good idea in my opinion to remain anonymous in these websites, to protect your identity and information.
The use of anonymity as such is hardly what you would call the dark side, in fact i view it as a necessity.
The question is, would all people commit crimes if they knew they wouldn’t get caught? if it is so, then internet anonymity would be the dark side, because it provides that cloak necessary for all people to do what they desire, be it abuse other people, steal, cheat or any other illicit indulgence.
The question about internet anonymity being the dark side, is a question about human nature itself.

By the way, this is my real name and identity. :)

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Prths February 28, 2009 at 1:02 pm

Dear Paulo,
Thank you for opening the question and offering the opportunity to respond.
Probably as with most acts in life, things are by themselves neither black or white – within. I think that the separation line lies in the actor’s intention or motivation: the heart that drives the hand. And then, again, an open-hearted eye seeks (and finds) light even in the darkest room.
Such is the case with anonymity in the Interntet. Acts of violence, attack, injury are unnatural – whether carried out anonymously or not. On the other hand, one can imagine a person keeping anonymity in communication in order to protect a shared value (e.g. impact on third parties).
In all, i believe that the question regards respect towards the setting, the rules of the exchange – and these must be clearly set out. And keeping alive fundamental thruths: respect of life, compassion, contribution.
Thanks, once more.
With kind regards,
George

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Cindy February 28, 2009 at 12:51 pm

Oke….
I have put my opinion somewhere up here a few days ago but TOTALLY changed my mind about that now. And even have a nickname now, which is not my real name.
(Luce will probably guess who I am?)
I put something down saying that people using fake names could only be doing that for the wrong reasons, and I alwaaaayyyys use my real name, and using my real name on my Myspace as well.
Well, I just blew up and deleted my Myspace. Because I kept on being harassed by a former friend that is convinced I am a witch. I deleted the thing because I feel I better put my energy in something that is positively constructive, instead of keep on having to worry what somebody with a Witch-Hunt-Mission wants to do too me. And that is also why I use a fake name now, because I do not feel any longer it is good for me to worry about if this person will read it and take abuse of it yes or no. It is not fear, it is common sense and trying to focus and be busy with positive things.

So…. my new opinion: As long as the witch-hunt continues (see also an old topic in Paulos blog), and you don’t feel like worrying about stalkers, it is better to use a nickname. This is the opinion of a single woman that lives alone. As long as one does not harm anybody and uses it to say horrible things about others I think it is fine now to you a nickname.

I am hoping for some feedback on this…

Love

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Mari Ann February 28, 2009 at 10:18 am

Using somebody’s name (- which is to steal somebody identity -) is even worse…. Makin false facebook accounts…. Millions of possibilities on the internet arena, and very bad and destructive things are happening on the internet arena. That is very scary now as we are going into times where we risk social upheaval as a result of the global financial crisis.

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Maria Augusta Loureiro February 28, 2009 at 2:09 am

Olá Paulo!
Antes de mais quero aqui expressar toda a admiração que sinto por si…custa a acreditar que estou a escrever algo que você vai ler.
Desde que comecei a ler os seus livros, que algo mudou dentro de mim, assim como a visão que tinha das coisas.

Quanto ao anonimato na internet , não concordo. Mas muita gente o usa, muitos para expressar aquilo que não têm coragem para dizer, dando o seu próprio rosto. Uns talvez o façam sem más intenções, outros de certeza que mal intencionados, penso que existe de tudo.

Existem por aí milhares de perfis na net..houve quem já tivesse a coragem de falar comigo fazendo-se passar por duas pessoas diferentes, e comentava os meus blogs assumindo as diferentes personalidades, e em nehuma delas era ela própria.

Eu tenho vários blogs abertos vai para quatro anos..e nunca tive problemas. Assumi o peseudónimo de Margusta com o qual assino as minhas telas, e é com ele que comento.

Noto que muitas pessoas hoje em dia, têm necessidade de esconder a sua verdadeira identidade….Porque será?

Um beijinho de LUZ
Margusta

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Nick Myers February 28, 2009 at 1:36 am

Dear all,

I do neither disagree nor agree with the anonymity issue as to say this I would either be judging the self or judging what seems to be another. The act of anonymity is merely a play of consciousness, the mind is confused and through the confusion it picks up an identity so that it has something to grasp onto. Even through what some have referred to the mask of anonymity, there is no difference between that and the mask of the name. Have you not been fed with concepts since you were little on who you are? You have your own belief of who you are and who others are but are they not all concepts. Words are tricky things, very important nonetheless but only a fraction of what the actual Truth is.

Insulting attacks as it were, are mere ignorance, but there is no difference between an insulting attack then a judgement of character. To judge another you judge yourself accordingly. When someone attacks another with insult, they only seem to despise the parts of themselves that are impure, so why take such things personally. If you are confident in your True Nature, who is to be attacked and who is to be insulted? This issue never arises. There is no ego, as the word is only a fabrication of ignorance.

Nothing lives outside of the One Absolute Whole (Universal Consciousness) and thought is not the individuals doing to begin with. (as individual is only a notion as well when it comes to the belief that there are many).

It is like the ocean and the waves, though appearing to be the many waves of the ocean, when subsided the ocean still is there, the waves were the illusion all along. :)

Your True Nature are much more beautiful than masks. Give up the notion that there is an attacker and you are at war, you are in a “waking dream”

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Brigit February 28, 2009 at 12:42 am

Well I enjoy my bit of anonymity. My name is Brigit. I live in Australia and I have a couple web sites. My blog, is a persoal site, I love writing. I discuss my life, my journey, my thoughts, the odd book and movie review, all with the hope that not only will I grow from the process but maybe another reader may benefit. At the same time, it is my writing you read. It is my writing you connect with, comment on, not my personal identity. As much as my writing is known, I can still walk down the street and be unkown.

There may be insulting attacks, just as there may be in real life. There again I appreciate my anonymity. I feel safe when I walk out the door. I feel safe when I log onto my site.

I don’t want personal fame or regognition, but I’d like my writing to be appreciated, and the web is a wonderful way to do that.

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