Anonymous: Still Alive - 1 views
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Anonymity is a concept that has existed throughout history. We all know of the anonymous letter, anonymous donations to charity and the anonymous tips to police. In every case, there is no connection between the message and an identifiable individual. The message stands alone. The advantage of anonymity is that the sender is without responsibility, or rather, they are only responsible for themselves. This can be beneficial if one does not desire the attention that a controversial point of view, large donation, or revelation of important information would bring. Anonymity gives security, freedom and a lack of responsibility. Complete anonymity is difficult, indeed almost impossible, to maintain in the real world - at least if we are to interact with our surroundings.
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On the Internet, real anonymity can be a viable option for the free exchange of ideas.
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When no one can tell who is speaking, it is difficult, if not impossible, to connect these words with any one person. Newcomers to this culture will often encounter a harsher tone and a macabre sense of humor that can be difficult to understand. This is what emerges in the absence of an ability to tie people to their actions and words. This anonymous image board culture has spread from Japan to the Western World. On certain image board websites, users are allowed the option of being identified only as "anonymous." And it is precisely on these sites the first timid steps in "Project Chanology", a campaign to dismantle the Scientology organization, were taken.
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