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[Flemming Bjerke <address@concealed>]

I do not identify the problem in the basic properties of the internet. Indeed, it is questionable that it was these properties that once made the internet a more civil place. Rather, it was a decent communicative space because people imported decent behavior from the off-line world. Now, some people investigate the opportunities of bad behavior on the net.

In fact, anonymity is an inherent opportunity of the architecture of the internet. The Tor network is build UPON the net. It is not a new net. Thus, if pseudonyms were a problem, it is a problem inherent in "what made the early days of the Internet a mostly civil place".

But, the most important thing is the freedom of speech presupposes anonymity (pseudonyms) as an opportunity. No one should, for fear of revenge, avoid to express their political or personal meaning or knowledge. Whistleblowing and resistance to tyrants may not become impossible on the net.

Thus, the problem is not the architecture of the net, including the opportunity of anonymity, but the misuse of the it. Take a look at the harassment of the Finnish Journalist Jesikka Aro by pro-russian trolls. Please notice, the most important troll, Johan Bäckman, did not use a pseudonym, that is, identification does not prevent bullying. Had it been feasible for Aro to work under pseudonym, her life would have been easier. And take a look at the Amanda Todd case: Had her Dutch bully not had access to her network and personal information, it is improbable that he could have driven her to suicide.

It is in order to counteract misuse of the internet that we have to develop social mechanisms on the net which promote decent behavior, also when pseudonyms are used. That was the point with my proposal with introducing slashdot-like features.

Incidentally, you did not spell out what is the problem with Slashdot (except you do not like anonymity)?

Flemming

http://kioski.yle.fi/omat/my-year-as-a-pro-russia-troll-magnet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQRnSIa-qQM

On 01-06-2017 21:21, Roger B.A. Klorese wrote:

It's interesting that everything you identify as a problem is what made the early days of the Internet a mostly civil place, and only with the ability to hide behind pseudonyms did that disappear.

You cite Slashdot - it is but the mildest example of how this goes wrong, with Reddit and 4chan being the inevitable result.