> Does this lessen the fear of being rebuked when sharing thoughts in a public forum one values?
Absolutely. There is no threat of permanent harm. You just lose your karma count and make a new account
> Perhaps it would for people whom enjoy trolling. I do not and have no reason to think you do either.
Not related to trolling at all. It’s about being able to express opinions you genuinely believe without fear of effectively permanent retribution.
The protection that offers this is abused by trolls, but it doesn’t mean you don’t benefit from it when you are not a troll.
Think about something as basic as a gay man publishing about being gay while living in a country where that is illegal.
> So we are left to stand on what we post here, with no other connection, no other commonality, only to accept each other for the thoughts we exchange
We’re comparing to WhatsApp with your neighbors where everything you have said can be used against you in real life, reported to your employer, church, etc. It’s nothing like posting on an anonymous forum only attached to real life voluntarily and without verification
>> Does this lessen the fear of being rebuked when sharing thoughts in a public forum one values?
> Absolutely. There is no threat of permanent harm. You just lose your karma count and make a new account
This is a myopic definition of harm and one whose identified remedy is trivialization.
>> So we are left to stand on what we post here, with no other connection, no other commonality, only to accept each other for the thoughts we exchange
I was referring to interaction in this forum.
> We’re comparing to WhatsApp with your neighbors where everything you have said can be used against you in real life, reported to your employer, church, etc. It’s nothing like posting on an anonymous forum only attached to real life voluntarily and without verification
Everything a person SMS's, email, and/or speaks with neighbors "can be used against you in real life, reported to your employer, church, etc."
The medium used does not negate the possibility of treachery.
Finally:
Think about something as basic as a gay man publishing
about being gay while living in a country where that is
illegal.
To which I retort; think about something as basic as an introvert making public their thoughts for unknown people to analyze, dissect, and formulate whatever response they like.
Maybe the severity of risks are specific to those who undertake them?
An introvert engaging in a conversation is not the same level of harm as someone’s life being destroyed because they are outed to a government.
> Maybe the severity of risks are specific to those who undertake them?
No. Your feelings getting hurt because someone said something mean about something you said that isn’t even attributable to your real identity is extremely low risk.
> Under an anonymous account to people you don’t have to see in person.
Does this lessen the fear of being rebuked when sharing thoughts in a public forum one values?
Perhaps it would for people whom enjoy trolling. I do not and have no reason to think you do either.
So we are left to stand on what we post here, with no other connection, no other commonality, only to accept each other for the thoughts we exchange.