Internet anonymity is a scourge that is helping to fuel rhetoric that is damaging our society.
I don't blame any one group, nor will I apply this sentiment to politics exclusively.
There are almost as many on the left spewing vile and hateful comments in political and other venues as there are in the center and on the right.
This is not a political problem, it is a social one.
We are a nation of cowards. No one group, no one ideological association.
Our nation as a whole is (in general) comprised of lily-livered, yellow-bellied wimps.
Why must we hide behind the masks of avatars and aliases? Do we fear so much that we cower from speaking or writing if the words can somehow be attributed to ourselves?
I have done it myself. My previous account on this site was under an alias. I've abandoned that alias as well as others on other sites in favor of my name. Since this site restricts new accounts for a week, this is posted under that alias, but as you can see below, it is not an attempt to hide my identity. When the restriction period expires, this account will go dormant and I will be using my own name exclusively.
These are my words. I own them.
These are my ideas, I generated them.
These are my opinions, I am proud of them.
I take full responsibility for the content of this diary and any others I may write. When someone quotes me I want them to quote me, not some ethereal imaginary avatar.
Fear is the only reason we hide. I feared the usual: that some nut case would read my words and take exception to the point of finding me at home or at work and "doing something". That fallacy is ludicrous on its face and is actually exacerbated by anonymity.
If (hypothetically) I speak or write a controversial piece and someone throws a brick through my window because of it, then that is a tangible crime I can address. I refuse to be afraid of possibilities. If my anonymity prompted me to write with an inflammatory flair I should not be surprised that people were inflamed.
We must be accountable for our words as well as our deeds. We wear our anonymity for the same reasons bank robbers wear masks: the fear of getting caught. Caught at what? If the words we write are so toxic that we can't ascribe them to ourselves then they shouldn't have been written.
There are legitimate (but tenuous) reasons for anonymity in specific cases -- whistleblowers, for example. If someone notices that their company is skipping important tests or inspections, and wants to keep their job, it is reasonable to protect that person's identity for a time. At some point, however, the accuser must face the accused. That's the American way.
There are other legitimate scenarios where anonymity could be an advantage but the rationalizations for it get flimsier as even a short amount of time passes. If you want to find out if that rash on your [whatever] is contagious, then use an alias when asking in public. If you want to accuse [whoever] of giving you that rash, you'd better be prepared to support your assertion.
To all readers here, and to all of humanity, I say this: if you hide behind an alias to voice your opinions then you are a coward and a part of the problem.
I hear this frequently: "I can't put my name on that, what if my [boss, spouse, kids, etc.] found out?"
Yeah, what if they did? Then you will be very rightly held accountable for your words and opinions. Defend them or deny them, but you will be (and must be) accountable for them.
We cannot legislate this, no enforceable law will be effective.
We need a social compact, a re-evaluation of our own self-worth.
My name is Darryl House.
I am proud of my opinions, and I respect yours.
My name is Darryl House.
I take responsibility for my words and deeds.
My name is Darryl House.
I don't fear that you know it.