That really depends on what kind of person you are.
Not only that. Those are common human traits, which along with many others of course (the good ones), define our humanity. We are complex and multifaceted individuals, and each one of us owns those traits. To say that a given person is never incoherent or has never felt vindictive in his life is a claim that really makes one smile.
It is not perfect, but it is what we make it out to be.
Not really. The fact that you enjoy the luxury and privilege of a comfortable life might give you the perception that we can shape the world as we want it to be, but reality says otherwise.
There is are a lot of us who see things as they unfold... I would say a lot of people have less control in areas that they imagine they do, but also more control in areas that they imagine they don't. Life isn't black or white... It's gray. And where people often have a say and influence, they often do not see it or fail to act.
Yes, life isn’t gray, although various groups of people everywhere would beg to differ. Some aren’t even able to realize that their extreme, and self-centered views and way of life affect society at large, increasing that social and economic unbalance that defines a struggling existence for too many people.
And yet, that is what we can control. For example, you speak of the deep rooted social constructs that keep enforcing things. We can control those and break free of those. Thinking you cannot is the trap and is to surrender to the will of others.
History proves we can do that. In America anyone of color once could not vote, but today who is president? We made that happen. People one by one broke free of "how thing are" and made the world today.
We make the world we live in. To deny this is to deny reality.
Yes, we know who the American president is. Let’s see when the representative of an ethnic or social minority will be allowed to advance to a position of power again in the future. Besides, that’s a drop in the ocean, considering that hate crimes, racism, and intolerance for one’s ethnicity, heritage or skin colors are deeply rooted in this society, and keep defining the way of life for many people belonging to such minorities. To ignore this truth is to ignore reality. To speak of this in any other terms or generalizing justifications from the safety of one’s home, only highlights that social unbalance mentioned above, and the privilege that some people have at the detriment of others.
We have less control than you think. The fact that you lead a comfortable existence, and are able to decide if today you want to eat steak or chicken, or what and where are you going to post online, shouldn’t give you the idea that it’s the same for everybody. Many people don’t have that luxury, and never will, because they don’t have access -- as in, other people don't want them to gain access -- to any tools that might allow them to change their lives. To cry, “we can change the world,” sitting in front a computer and sipping soda isn’t how we change things (unless you are a skilled hacker, that is )
We do not do everything in our own self interest. If that were always true, we would not be where we are today.
However, it is in everyone's own self interest to preserve their freedom in manner that would cause them the less harm and place that freedom at the least of risk.
Keeping online privacy for those who require it does that.
We don’t do everything in our own self-interest, but we still do plenty to satisfy that need. We live in a system that reinforces and encourages individualism, and puts the individual the center of the universe.
Online privacy is a myth. The institutions that regulate the Internet and those who provide and give us services through technology are able to know who we are and what we do online at any time, when they choose so. But to prevent consumers to know who they might be dealing with when purchasing online has nothing to do with freedom. It’s for many shady business and those who don’t want to face consequences for their actions or for what they publish, a way to throw the stone and hide the hand.
Not everyone comes online to be a skeptical for someone else's entertainment or to glorify their existence into some form of stardom.
There are a lot of people who come online to share their experiences, wisdom, and knowledge. To tell the world what is going on in their part of the world. To speak out against injustice in manner that maybe safer to do so.
Online privacy makes that possible. In fact, it encourages it. Sure, it may also encourage the occasional jerk to rant off and troll, but we should not remove a positive tool, just because someone can abuse it. Again, Aspirin can be abused, yet it still exist.
The 1st step in solving any problem is to know and admit you have one... You've outline the problem. The solution is to add more tools to protect people from such violence, not toss those innocent people to the wolves or in shark infested waters during a feeding frenze.
We have such a tool now...right now... Online 'who is' privacy. Removing it would only serve those who would enjoy causing harm onto others.
I'm not saying, we shouldn't revise that tool and make it better. Sure, companies that sell products or services online should be brought into the spotlight. But corporations and individuals who need protecting in order to preserve and protect their freedoms, while executing those freedom, should remain private.
A balance is always important. This new change doesn't offer a balance. It tries to see things black and white in a gray world.
You're right... When buying a product or service online, you want that company to be listed.
But not all incorporated entities sell products or services.
Online consumers have been swimming among sharks for a very long time, and the number of people falling victim of scams and online frauds is constantly increasing. These are the ones who need protection. Website owners have means to protect themselves; it only requires them to take steps to make it happen.
No one forces you to be online and provide services through your website or forum – you chose to be there, don’t forget that. The price is owning that responsibility and make sure you are accountable for that: people who use your services have a right to know who you are.
Such as posting on the internet.
You are proof that is not true.
I at this very moment do not know your real name. I have no idea where on earth you are. I don't know if you're man or a women, really. I have no idea what you look like.
You are an anonymous screen name, known as rafix73. You have a cartoon for a face. See, privacy does exist.
And you're free to speak right now and say anything you wish without the risk of death. And on Socially Uncensored, you would have the freedom to express your thought about gang violence or even how women are mistreated, without the fear of death and I would be free to allow you to speak up on such important issues in a guaranteed group environment without my safety in harm's way.
Your new policy would certainly change that and I cannot imagine any rational person seeing that as a good thing.
On the contrary, I am exactly proof of that. We are two forum members posting in an environment that we both don’t own – this isn’t our website. I am Woltlab’s customer, I use their services and products, and they know exactly who I am and where I live. Besides, when and if someone really wants to discover the identity of another internet user, there are plenty of tools and people with specific skills, that allow to do so. Unfortunately, to believe that privacy online exists is just a delusion.
One should be able to express their thoughts, opinions, and ideas freely, but also be accountable for that. Those who were able to actually put a dent in social inequality often put their name and face in their fight, and of course, many paid dear consequences for it. Yet, they didn't hide in fear of retaliation behind of a computer screen. They owned their actions, their words, their ideals, and actively forward them and fought for it.
We are at harm’s way all the time, even when we believe to be safe in our bubble. Sometimes people just to go to class, to the library, to church, or to the movie theater, feeling as safe as they can be. I mean, what could ever happen? Sadly, we all know the ghastly and horrific truth.
To believe that one should be allowed to provide a service online and hide while doing so is just as silly as it is to believe there is privacy online. The majority of online consumers usually don’t have much power against the danger lurking online, and can only rely on caution and watchfulness, just like in real life one should be: alert, careful, and mindful to think before they speak or pay the consequences for it.
The new policy will benefit many online consumers. It will be good to know who are you are dealing with when using someone’s website. That might be finally the time site owners will realize that they should feel responsible for what they decide to put the net.