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Re^12: to distinguish between [Anonymous Monk]s in a thread, brand 'em

by CountZero (Bishop)
on Oct 04, 2011 at 07:11 UTC ( [id://929459]=note: print w/replies, xml ) Need Help??


in reply to Re^11: to distinguish between [Anonymous Monk]s in a thread, brand 'em
in thread to distinguish between [Anonymous Monk]s in a thread, brand 'em

Asking for clarification is a challenge?
Don't understand me wrong. I like such challenges. I just wanted to give you some background why I am continuing this discussion, perhaps beyond what some would find reasonable. :)

A thread is a room, someone from the left says something, someone from the right says something, they're all wearing Anonymous Monk, when the thread ends, when they leave the room, you don't even know which side of the room they were standing in, much less whom they are, or what computer they posted from, they're still Anonymous Monk, faceless, nameless, anyone, any dog
You just confirmed my argument: branding the AM when inside a thread, takes away their "indistinguishableness" inside the thread. of course you still cannot link them to a physical person, but that is already a property all monks enjoy by virtue of having a "username" here (unless you use your *real* name as a username, which few, if any, do).

I hope I explained now clearly enough why "branding" takes away some of the anonimity (in my definition) of posting as an AM.

CountZero

A program should be light and agile, its subroutines connected like a string of pearls. The spirit and intent of the program should be retained throughout. There should be neither too little or too much, neither needless loops nor useless variables, neither lack of structure nor overwhelming rigidity." - The Tao of Programming, 4.1 - Geoffrey James

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Re^13: to distinguish between [Anonymous Monk]s in a thread, brand 'em
by Anonymous Monk on Oct 04, 2011 at 10:06 UTC

    You just confirmed my argument...

    Except that I didn't.

    This is my suggestion, it can't possibly be your argument :)

    My suggestion does not compromise anonymity one iota

    A "username" is a name by definition, there can only be one here, it is a defacto perlmonks identity, whether or not its linked to any other identities (online or real world)

    Anonymous Monk is the equivalent of having no name

    Temporary in-thread-branding doesn't give you a name, doesn't link you to any identity, it merely hints at your location within a room --- anonymity intact

      And as long as you remain in the room you remain "branded" as "Anonymous Monk # x". Wherever you move in the room, you will still be recognized (for a very weak form of recognition) as "Anonymous Monk # x". Hence you are recognizable and whatever you said can be related to "you", even if this "you" will disappear as soon as you leave the room.

      CountZero

      A program should be light and agile, its subroutines connected like a string of pearls. The spirit and intent of the program should be retained throughout. There should be neither too little or too much, neither needless loops nor useless variables, neither lack of structure nor overwhelming rigidity." - The Tao of Programming, 4.1 - Geoffrey James

        There are very few reasons for needing that level of anonymity -- and none of them are good or honourable. Two purposes come to mind: sock-puppetry & trolling.

        There are no legitimate reasons in having two or more comments in the same thread, by the same anonymous source, disassociated from each other.

        For all other purposes, the ability to hold a conversation, anonymously, but with the continuity of the exchange unendangered by crosstalk with other AMs -- accidental or malicious -- can only be a good thing for all parties to the conversation.


        Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.
        "Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority".
        In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.
        Duh
Re^13: to distinguish between [Anonymous Monk]s in a thread, brand 'em
by ww (Archbishop) on Oct 04, 2011 at 10:39 UTC
    Seems to me that their '"indistinguishableness"' -- at the level you're invoking it as something to protect -- is not and never has been the point of permitting individuals to post as AM nor is it an essential element of anonymity in the context of the Monastery.

    Rather, the point, IMO, is to allow any persons to post what they wish, without providing any link between their statement (opinion, rant, slurs, facts, code, whatever) and their actual personal identities or, as you suggested earlier, any link between the statement and the writer's individual semi-anonymous handle (CountZero, ww, etc.) But AM is not an individual handle; it's used by many different (but equally anonymous) individuals*1.

    - - - - - - - - - - - - -
    *1 ....or so we may presume, given the varying competence with Perl, English, spelling, grammar, and so on that we can readily observe.
      It is clear, my definition of "anonymity" is more extreme than yours. I do not claim mine is best or the only right one. It is just the one I think fits the situation best.

      CountZero

      A program should be light and agile, its subroutines connected like a string of pearls. The spirit and intent of the program should be retained throughout. There should be neither too little or too much, neither needless loops nor useless variables, neither lack of structure nor overwhelming rigidity." - The Tao of Programming, 4.1 - Geoffrey James

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