Anonymous Bloggers

When Internet poker rooms were first opened a few years ago one of the things players immediately noticed was the level of disrespect happening in the public and viewable “chats” going on during the games. Insults were hurled by players at each other who are anonymous behind their “user” names, just like the phenomena now seen with anonymous blog posters. Insults and slander put out by some anonymous players at the games would have gotten those same players most likely killed if their targets were in the same room with them.

I've noticed now that the degree of repulsive insults at online poker tables has now diminished a great deal. Perhaps it is a matter of time before the same thing happens with the blog comments which are currently experiencing the anonymous hidden sadist syndrome—bloggers with electronic hoods and robes on as it were.

Psychological experiments have shown that when people think they are anonymous they will do things that they would never do if their identities were known. With their identities concealed experimental subjects found it easier to administer electric shocks to a victim when they couldn't be seen.

It is the same phenomena that allows the local Southern doctor and police chief to participate in Klan rallies and for other “good citizens” to join in mob lynchings. Maybe it's just human nature but whatever it is, it sure takes a toll on community relationships not to mention being a pillar of racists and bigots of all stripes.

With the opening up of “blogs”, personal opinion websites allowing reader comments, the anonymous sadist syndrome has been given new legs for those feeling a strong need to inflict social injury on those they do not like. One women reacting to blog comment insults of her son who died questioned the ethics of blog sites that allow such demeaning anonymous postings.

I've been on Internet religious talkboard forums for over a decade and have yet to see the level of personal attacks as one can find on any given day on our local blogs. The issue always comes back to one of “free speech” but there's little question from all familiar with the problems that the lines of public abuse of blog comments has been thoroughly crossed by anonymous posters.

Without the anonymous protection, anonymous blog commenters vilifying their political or personal targets would find themselves in court for defamation of character lawsuits, but as it is, they now are free to do their damage without fear of reprisal.

Even blogsite owners have joined in the anonymous trend. One local popular blogster came out recently with his real identity which has put pressure on other blog site owners to “come clean” with who they are. I think most local blog sites are going for the “transparency” trend except one particular blog site keen on the Palco bankruptcy proceedings that is still flying under false colors in order to continue manipulating public opinion.

I had to laugh when blog comments trotted out a supposed similarity between anonymous bloggers and the founding Fathers of our nation who wrote anonymously in order not to be arrested for treason. The nasty blog comments seen around here are a far cry from anything so noble. They are more what you'd expect if adults never grew up and remained permanently stuck as mean nine-year old boys shooting the neighbor's cat from behind a fence and running away before anyone catches them.