Poll: Do you prefer the anonymity of the internet or would you like it to be more personal?

[DBRS]

I suppose I should clarify what I mean here. I am talking specifically about forums for discussion. Anything from this forum here to the YouTube comments section. Basically where anybody can share their opinions.

The question is, do you prefer being a mostly faceless set of pixels and a fake name, or would you prefer a face to face interaction. I know that there are different advantages and disadvantages to both. Things such as it not being really possible to get the world's online population into the local pub. But countered by the basic set of manners more people would have when you give your opinions to the persons face.

What do you think?

EDIT: Never actually gave an opinion here

I prefer face to face interaction myself. The Cloak of Anonymity(+2) available on the internet breeds a hell of a lot of self entitled, downright bastards. Not saying that it doesn't exist in real life but you are a damn sight less likely to hear someone shouting derogatory, racial, sexist or religious slurs when they are sitting across a table from you. I do however like the fact that people can have constructive criticism, or just shoot the shit from thousands of miles away

 

[Kwaren]

I like privacy or at least the illusion that I have it.

 

[Mr. Doe]

I like how it gives you a choice to have anonymity or actually put yourself out there.

 

[Mr Thin]

Well, I like forums over face to face because it gives you time to think, compose a proper response, do a mental spell-check. But I think face to face is healthier, more polite, and often more satisfying.

 

[Kapol]

I'd prefer some places to be a little more personal. But places like Youtube and such should stay anonymous.

 

[Betancore]

I like how online, you have the choice to remain anonymous, but can get to know people on a more personal level if you want to. Whereas in real life, you don't have that choice. I wouldn't replace real life interactions with online interaction though, because for me, it helps to be able to imagine the person I'm talking to as an actual person, rather than an avatar and a username.
Anonymity is also too easily abused; sure, people have a right to their privacy, but it doesn't mean that you should talk shit about anyone and not suffer any repercussions just because you're not using your real name.

I don't mind being just an avatar, but I like to at least know a little about the person I'm conversing with so I can actually picture them as a person. Doesn't have to be face-to-face though.

 

[caselj01]

Face to face is better because you dont have to wait minutes/hours/days for people to reply. Also when when you are trying to debate something face to face its harder (though by no means impossible) for other people to ignore the parts of your argument that they dont have a reply for.

 

[DBRS]

Face to face is better because you dont have to wait minutes/hours/days for people to reply. Also when when you are trying to debate something face to face its harder (though by no means impossible) for other people to ignore the parts of your argument that they dont have a reply for.

Well said

 

[Marter]

Here's my take on this:

I like talking to people anonymously. You don't need to fear anything you say, because there aren't any repercussions. If the conversation goes off track, you can just leave your computer for a while, or put the person on ignore, and then you never have to talk to them again, if you don't want to.

However, some of the people who I talk to anonymously I've gotten to know quite well, and those people have become quite good friends. While not actually anonymous, it still isn't face to face. I still know a lot about these people, and their friendship matters to me, but we still have the ability to leave right away if things turn south very quickly.

Now, I don't exactly mind face to face conversations, but you don't get the luxury of being able to leave if you want. Depending on how well you know the person in real life, they tend to watch what they say less and less as their knowledge of you increases. Sometimes, them not thinking about what comes out of their mouth ends up being hurtful, and when it is a face to face conversation, it is much harder to leave, at least not without facing verbal assault from the other person.

I guess I do prefer the second form, where I know the person fairly well, but only through the internet, but I certainly wouldn't mind meeting them in real life, as I've been able to get a fairly accurate picture of their personality through many conversations online. That initial conversation has allowed me to be fairly confident that they wouldn't be a person who would end up insulting me often or something like that. Basically, they would be a "good person".

 

[Wardnath]

Depends on the website.

I certainly don't wanna know who's behind that YouTube account, thanks.

 

[Goth Skunk]

Anonymity is the most beautiful thing I have ever had the pleasure of owning. And I would never give it up for anything.

 

[Casual Shinji]

Face to face. I talk better that way, plus I'm not funny with a keyboard.

I don't even really like talking to people on the phone.

 

[Vrex360]

I like a degree of privacy but in the long run maybe if things were more personal then there wouldn't be as many flame wars. If people could see face to face conversations and realise that there is a person behind these posts not merely text then maybe people would be more respectful to each other.

 

[Hashime]

Anonymous is Legion.

 

[AvsJoe]

I don't really like the anonymity but I don't much like talking face to face either. My preferred form of communication is my giving a speech or presentation to a roomful of people.

 

[Ironic Pirate]

I like people having the ability to do both. I have a bunch of fake shit in my profile, but there's also a link to my Facebook.

If I'm cyberstalked I want the person to at least send a friend request. So I have a heads up.

 

[Ryuo]

I don't mind other people being anonymous, but I don't really like it myself. Pretty much all my personal info is up on my profile, save for my address.

NO offense to anyone who utilizes anonymity, but when people do, don't provide their name, country, gender, I find it very difficult to think of them as an actual person.

I'm getting out of this, but I do agree that having empty profiles makes it hard to think of them as actually there at all.
Hell for the longest I lurked these forums, and didn't have a profile. '07 is when I got here, and last year I finally made a profile =/