Letters to the Editor
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i can't help but agree, elizabeth priddy
the anonymous posts i've discovered so far are for either totally bland general opinions and from one obnoxious little "anonymouth" who bites at my heels wherever i go. still, granted that it's *sometimes* needed, i don't think you can ban it. but, i too, endorse it. (by the way, nice seeing that opinion from a woman, "pretty lizzy".) and P.S. thanks, emily, for the endorsement. one is all i needed! i'm happy now.
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and Karen M, i write everyone
because everyone is important. don't you want to know people are listening?
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You need an anonymous option
Sometimes a genuine dialogue is only possible behind the veil of anonymity. If one were to discuss personal experiences with sexual abuse, domestic violence, parenting failures, drug and alcohol abuse, etc., sometimes that conversation is only possible when one knows that their private life is not going to be turned into fodder for the Internet machine. I have published anonymously a few times in order to protect my privacy. To lose that option would mute the level of conversation, and I honestly feel that this is one of the best fora on the Internet for honest, intellectually vigorous discussions. In an age where coteries and intellectual circles are pretty much gone, salon fills that need for me. I vote for keepign the option to publish anonymously.
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Feature Request
How about threaded discussions? Threading helps participants to keep tangents organized and allows for notifications of responses to comments. My experience has been that sites using this model tend to foster more in-depth discussion rather than mere comments.
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new letter policies
Good changes, but that anonymous catagory should be next to go. Salon keeps getting better!
AdieMahony
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In support of anonymous
I'm writing in support of the Anonymous option. I often use it and never for posting mean letters, but just because the content of my post is personal and my life is somewhat public and I wouldn't want a Google search to bring up personal letters written by me.
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Keep It Anonymous
It's really important that Salon allow it's readers to publish anonymously. There are many topics that readers might not otherwise comment about were it required that names be published alongside opinions.
For example, I know the CEO of my company reads Salon.com every day. I don't want my opinions about sensitive topics like sexuality, or opinions on topics that pertain to our line of business to influence his opinions on my work or character.
I'm sure there are others in similar situations who want their opinions to be heard without fearing that they be judged by readers who know them, or may meet them later.
I'm thankful that Salon has taken the situation of those in similar circumstances into account- even at the risk of allowing abusers a window of opportunity.
At the end of the day, this is a forum and we should all be thankful that Salon opens the doors to as many ideas as possible. Sometimes the most irksome and shallow comments spark articulate and thoughtful responses.
Sometimes those responses are from anonymous posters.
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new and improved
FWIW, I'm also in favor of keeping the Anonymous/'Name Withheld' option, for all the important reasons that have already been eloquently articulated.
It's enough for Salon to know who is behind each post. I personally don't need to keep tabs on everything everyone says.
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Ditto....
....to the kudos from readers/writers on the positive changes. Thanks!
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Evolution
At the top of this thread I opined to eliminate anonymity. I would like to clarify that I meant anonymity as it's been previously practiced at Salon. I also would like to thank the posters who came up with compelling reasons it should be retained.
Ceci before me puts this pretty well. I'm fine with Anonymous as an option for some of the reasons given (I resist going to the place where you fully equate that with freedom of speech; this is simply a place we disagree, for those who hold that position). The distinction is that somebody (Salon) has your information, as opposed to nobody.
The critical point being that Salon can and will use it to moderate upon abuse. The missing piece here is that the intended policy on this is currently being given a light treatment as far as details are concerned. Looking forward to hearing more about that.
I also agree with the poster who commented that the blog of the Editor is not the ideal place to announce policy decisions like this.
To those who fear stalking and other consequence as a result of this change: Giving away too much information has always been your responsibility and not the responsibility of any website you post to. You can be Anonymous and give enough details to be real-world found. Anonymous in and of itself provides you no protection. You should always act accordingly.
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Smurf
Oh you are so wrong.
You had to input a FORMAT of an email address.
'blah_blah@biteme.net' would actually work.
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From Joan Walsh
Matty D., I'm curious why you don't think this is a good place to announce changes like this. Curious, not insulted -- just wondering why. Obviously Table Talk isn't the right place, since it's members only. I have written Letters from the Editor before, and my voice seemed to be coming from on high. I kind of liked this, because I think people's growing familiarity with my level of tolerance for dissent makes this a good place to discuss issues where we disagree. But maybe I just feel that way because the feedback has mostly been positive. Are you saying...no, I'll just leave it as a question. One that I might not answer until I get back after the weekend, but...I try to answer!
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It's Great That Salon Is Getting More Hits
But this is a necessary change. I've read too many knuckleheaded drive by posts as of late.
And as for some sort of Premium Members Only type benefit, have you not noticed the golden star next to our names?
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no need for an anonymous option
In prior society, pre-interweb, issues of domestic and sexual abuse were a special category of topic that was to remain private, non-public. Public discussions of such topics occured without direct testimonials. Civil conversation allowed for both privacy and open discourse.
Everyday conversation, even about serious topics, need not be an episode of Oprah.
Our current descent into a society that leaves no room for privacy and personal reflection is not one of which I want to be a part.
A little personal discretion is what it would take for the anonymous option to be largely unnecessary.
That may be too much to ask, but I am asking for it anyway. I don't want to know the details of circumstances that color your opinions when I don't know you. I trust that you can articulate your position without a gory "uncle john" story to back it up. And if it is still too personal to discuss dispassionately, keep it to yourself and your therapist or priest, until you can.
Engaging in a public discussion is not open season on the TMI rule, which is that if it makes your audience cringe, it is too much information. Real discourse cannot occur when empathy is the only emotion that matters.