SXSWi 2013 session: “What’s In A Name? Anonymity, Then and Now“
“Anonymity” is a much-ballyhooed buzzword. But the complex issues of anonymity and authorship are far from unique to the Internet age.We’ve been here before.Turn back to 17th century Europe, when publishing was a less-than-classy enterprise. How uncouth! Still, anonymous works were circulated and reviewed. There was authority without authorship, engagement without ego. But after the French Revolution, an “Age of Personality” was born. We’ve still basking in it.Of course, it’s more complicated these days. Anyone can slap a name on a blog post. But one can also eschew authorship.Pseudonymous posting is de rigueur because technological platforms make it easy, and the Supreme Court has continuously protected anonymous speech. But for how long?Nabiha Syed, a First Amendment lawyer, and Katie Engelhart, a historian and author, will explore historical norms alongside today’s pitched battle over real-name policies. What space do we have today for the ever-prolific Anon?
Tue 12 March 2013 3:30pm Austin
About 30 audience
Foucault etc. on rejecting judgement according to the author
60's radical text anonymous
Current perception of uncivil discourse and worse. NY and CA considering takedown on complaint.
We are inching towards real name for convenience but is it real
Ancients emphasized art of imitation rooted in oral culture. Christians replaced communal with divine creativity.
Printing influenced but non-determinative. As late as 17th century most works still anonymous. 18th saw rise of authorship and professional writing.
Security, fear of harassment, modesty - writing considered uncouth. Convention of fake autobiographies. Men also used female pseudonyms.
So is anonymity on deathbed?
Back to Usenet the updated version of 18th century coffeehouse. Started with real names but as it grew so did pseuds, which can reveal attributes or not. If malleable then much more fluid than real space
Stable pseudonyms particularly influential. But not ideal, could also impersonate someone and sully reputation.
Math prof Bourbaki really a collective. Doesn't require complex contracts.
Anonymity as a state grew with cities, condemned by Adam Smith et al as allowing immorality.
Henry VIII etc, Pitt etc demanded author and publisher names to block subversion. However requirement to use legal name recent.
Publius of Federalist papers.
John Howe theory that revolutionaries should subordinate ego to republican cause.
Demand antifederalists use real names. Printing expanded and monetization. Broadsheets unreliable leading to thirst for attribution.
US Civil War 20 year period steep decline of anonymity.
Communications Decency act of 1996. Section 230 platform exempted from liability unless IP or kid porn.
Fighting fraud and card hacking, attack providers because smaller number of them. Shift and disconnect of perceptions.
"To name and to shame" Hollaback. Push to geotag photos of harassers. Yet we don't find it problematic.
Further stage "doxing".
Finally mentions Anonymous. Interaction with Amanda Todd bullying suicide video. Anon claims Vancouver man is culprit. They publish his accounts, address, logs - oops wrong guy. Media narrative swung against vigilantes.
Rahilla Khan autobio - Asian girl really elderly white vicar.
Fake Holocaust memoir.
Syrian gay girl really guy in Scotland. Value of these texts tied to author. When did this change?
Lag of several centuries after printing. Enlightenment saw rise of modern author.
Ethan Zuckerman quote: Anonymity under threat in next decade.
Questions:
Talk about deanonymization at SXSW, is transactional anon the most we can hope for?
N: Not sure which way it will go. Arms race of anonymizing and de-tools?
