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Author Topic: What's Wrong With Anonymous?  (Read 27692 times)

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Uncle Pete

« on: March 17, 2014, 09:49 »
+2
As everyone here has seen in some recent discussions, there are people who are anonymous who have an agenda for coming here. Their mission is almost 100% about running down some specific agency or area of Microstock.

Interesting article on one of the journalism education sites.

Our reasoning is that readers have a right to know who is speaking to them, and writers need to take responsibility for what they say.

Wow that said it! But there's more: A pen name can also provide a license to lie,

http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/top-stories/242620/are-pen-names-ever-ok-in-journalism/

Yes it does cover some reasons why a pseudonym is an acceptable choice. But people here have to decide if they want credibility and accurate NEWS or if it's going to be a playground for anything goes.


Goofy

« Reply #1 on: March 17, 2014, 09:53 »
+3
As everyone here has seen in some recent discussions, there are people who are anonymous who have an agenda for coming here. Their mission is almost 100% about running down some specific agency or area of Microstock.

Interesting article on one of the journalism education sites.

Our reasoning is that readers have a right to know who is speaking to them, and writers need to take responsibility for what they say.

Wow that said it! But there's more: A pen name can also provide a license to lie,

http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/top-stories/242620/are-pen-names-ever-ok-in-journalism/

Yes it does cover some reasons why a pseudonym is an acceptable choice. But people here have to decide if they want credibility and accurate NEWS or if it's going to be a playground for anything goes.


Very good point! But also remember that some Microstock editors/reps read this forum and might go after what was said by the person even if is true! In my personal experience I had an Editor/part owner go directly after me after I made a true comment. I felt intimidated to say the least...

« Reply #2 on: March 17, 2014, 09:57 »
+1
Im with you here. I wished people would not be anonymous.
But there is one special good reason to be anonymous in this environment:
The agencies may take revenge for something you say.
Which is very unprofessional, and not good business conduct.


« Reply #3 on: March 17, 2014, 10:24 »
+3
Isn't anyone who posts here, without a link to their portfolio, in effect anonymous?

una

« Reply #4 on: March 17, 2014, 10:27 »
-1
I agree with Goofy and JPSDK.

Beppe Grillo

« Reply #5 on: March 17, 2014, 10:32 »
-1
How can I say so many bad things about YAY and Depositphoto if I am not anonymous????
(and a little coward too)

« Reply #6 on: March 17, 2014, 10:44 »
+3
It's good to see what Uncle Pete, Goofy, JSPDK, Rimglow, Una and Beppe Grillo have to say about people using noms-de-plume, both for and against.

Funny the names some people are christened with!

At least you know I'm really Tony Robinson.

« Reply #7 on: March 17, 2014, 10:47 »
0
I only recently added links to my portfolio. There were a couple of reasons why I went anonymous for a while. One being I had a small portfolio. The other being I didn't realize I'd be coming to this forum as much as I do.  Not hidden agenda, although I was initially accused of having a hidden agenda by many. In reality I was fairly green to selling stock and my understanding of the agencies and business didn't span back to the so called glory days of microstock...so my opinions were immediately deemed as having an agenda, especially if I said anything positive about some of the most hated agencies...in reality I just wasn't screwed in a$$ by them yet... :P

StockPhotosArt.com

« Reply #8 on: March 17, 2014, 11:05 »
0
I completely agree with the advantages of being anonymous, because at this point I refrain myself from making certain types of comments protecting myself from any type of punishment from the agencies. Unfortunately there seems to be some stories where contributors were punished by things said in this forum.

But I share the worries of the original topic.

What I really would like to have is in MSG is some type of certification for common members just like there is for agency spokespeople.

Sometimes we read people raving about BME and we never know if they have 5000 or 50 images on an agency, and it's hard to understand how relevant some data coming from them is. Not that they are lying or that they shouldn't be taken in consideration, but in some topics it would be important to know if a contributor is on this since 2004 or 2014.

This could mean some work on the part of Leaf, but if it would be possible to certify some contributors that could still be anonymous, but have info that the member participates in stock since year X, have a portfolio of over Y images and is non-exclusive or exclusive on an agency, could help on the relevance of they write and understand if there's a partial opinion or even an agenda.

Uncle Pete

« Reply #9 on: March 17, 2014, 11:06 »
+3
I can't disagree with anyone. There are reasons for some people to be using Anonymous Pseudonyms. They fear retaliation from some notable agencies, one has even gone to the point of openly threatening members with removal and holding any earnings.

Yes, that's something I'd say would make me want to use a Pseudo if I was with one of those agencies. I'm Not.

The second part which isn't anything to do with the first part. (almost sounds legal or like a baking recipe?) Is that if someone wants to news about what agency X is going to be doing, (like IS percentages of the imaginary revenue sharing) and they are anonymous, people here need to assume, it's not credible information.

Reasons for being anonymous are many, protection, fear or retaliation, Etc. Not wanting to be associated on Microstock with a professional name or image.

Other reasons are trolling, fabrication, prevarication, making up rumors and factoids, and spreading hate and disinformation.

I can respect the first group. All should beware of the second.

Dear Mr Trousers  ;) You can see a link to my site, and email me if you want. That's not anonymous. I'm sure you know the difference, and my name is Pete and I am an Uncle. LOL It's not about pseudonyms, it's about credibility and standing behind ones claims and words.

Interesting idea: What I really would like to have is in MSG is some type of certification for common members just like there is for agency spokespeople.

Yes a seal of veracity:

I agree with Goofy and JPSDK.
« Last Edit: March 17, 2014, 11:36 by Uncle Pete »

EmberMike

« Reply #10 on: March 17, 2014, 11:11 »
+4

I understand the fear of retaliation, but I think the anonymous folks should know that being anonymous in any forum greatly diminishes the value some folks will place on their comments. Especially in this business, where we talk about levels of success, portfolio performance, etc., knowing where the comments about those things come from can be extremely important. There is a world of difference between someone saying they are having problems getting new images to sell at whatever agency for example when that person has 10 images in their portfolio or 10,000. Even the kind of work people do is important contextual information in any discussion here, and without that it is often really difficult to gauge the significance of a comment. 

« Reply #11 on: March 17, 2014, 11:41 »
+1
I was very naive when I joined this forum, I would have been anonymous today, I still can I know ;)

ruxpriencdiam

    This user is banned.
  • Location. Third stone from the sun
« Reply #12 on: March 17, 2014, 11:50 »
-3
Pete's just fishing around the lake a little bit to see what kind of fish take the bait!

« Reply #13 on: March 17, 2014, 11:52 »
-1

I understand the fear of retaliation, but I think the anonymous folks should know that being anonymous in any forum greatly diminishes the value some folks will place on their comments. Especially in this business, where we talk about levels of success, portfolio performance, etc., knowing where the comments about those things come from can be extremely important. There is a world of difference between someone saying they are having problems getting new images to sell at whatever agency for example when that person has 10 images in their portfolio or 10,000. Even the kind of work people do is important contextual information in any discussion here, and without that it is often really difficult to gauge the significance of a comment.

Hey mike,

You can't have the bolded statement read like that. It is an oxymoron. "Anonymous in ANY FORM and SOME."  But okay I hear what you are saying. And I would rebut some of your statement, or maybe add to it, that it depends on the value anonymous posters add to the discussion.  I do gripe like many others, but I also try to be helpful when I can, I've helped others who have private messaged me, I have been helped by others, I try to add some ease in some of my posts, lightening up the mood, et.  To me you can clearly tell when most anonymous posters are knowledgeable, legitimate and well intended, regardless of whether they have opposing opinions.

Moreover, there are a few anonymous posters who really don't add value to many discussions and do seem to be on a mission. But you can tell, you can weed them out. I personally don't go to someone's port to determine whether they are credible or not, rather I read what they have to say, and oftentimes it is far more informative BECAUSE THEY ARE ANONYMOUS than a similar post that is sanitized from a public post.
« Last Edit: March 17, 2014, 11:54 by Mantis »

« Reply #14 on: March 17, 2014, 11:54 »
-5

I understand the fear of retaliation, but I think the anonymous folks should know that being anonymous in any forum greatly diminishes the value some folks will place on their comments. Especially in this business, where we talk about levels of success, portfolio performance, etc., knowing where the comments about those things come from can be extremely important. There is a world of difference between someone saying they are having problems getting new images to sell at whatever agency for example when that person has 10 images in their portfolio or 10,000. Even the kind of work people do is important contextual information in any discussion here, and without that it is often really difficult to gauge the significance of a comment.

Speaking for myself, I don't mind at all if being anonymous "disminishes the value placed on my comments". I'm here to learn and gather information: now and then I can offer bits of my own data, but that's secondary (for me).

« Reply #15 on: March 17, 2014, 11:57 »
+4

I understand the fear of retaliation, but I think the anonymous folks should know that being anonymous in any forum greatly diminishes the value some folks will place on their comments. Especially in this business, where we talk about levels of success, portfolio performance, etc., knowing where the comments about those things come from can be extremely important. There is a world of difference between someone saying they are having problems getting new images to sell at whatever agency for example when that person has 10 images in their portfolio or 10,000. Even the kind of work people do is important contextual information in any discussion here, and without that it is often really difficult to gauge the significance of a comment.

Speaking for myself, I don't mind at all if being anonymous "disminishes the value placed on my comments". I'm here to learn and gather information: now and then I can offer bits of my own data, but that's secondary (for me).

yeah, guess we should all be like you, enjoying everything we can get and sharing nada, oh whatever!

Goofy

« Reply #16 on: March 17, 2014, 12:02 »
+3
On my full time day job our senior management released an "Anonymous" Survey that would encourage the honest feedback of what our employees thought of upper management- well, once the survey was done that particular senior VP came to my desk (I was the Chief of Technology at that them) and ask me to drill down (IP Address) on a particular survey from one employee that gave the Senior VP low marks! So much for 'Anonymous' surveys in my company- once the word out nobody dares give honest feedback on our surveys...  :-[




« Last Edit: March 17, 2014, 14:16 by Goofy »

« Reply #17 on: March 17, 2014, 14:13 »
-3
I have noticed a drop in honest feed back once the campaign to villainize anonymous contributions took hold here.

If you want a pasteurized board where everyone is afraid to say what they think go to the mirco boards. I find sycophantic feed back designed to win preferential favor with the sites distasteful, I would rather hear honest uncensored feedback from someone who is anonymous.

To wrap it up, I prefer widespread anonymity to the axiom: I don't want yes-men around me. I want everyone to tell the truth, even if it costs them their jobs!

« Reply #18 on: March 17, 2014, 14:31 »
+2
I've talked a lot of trash about agencies and have never been anonymous or seen any perceivable actions against me. I'd think if retribution is going to happen, it is more likely to come from other contributors than agencies. So if we all try to be respectful in our disagreements with agencies and other contributors, we are less likely to see any negative consequences of stating our opinions (anonymous or not).

« Reply #19 on: March 17, 2014, 14:31 »
0
To wrap it up, I prefer widespread anonymity to the axiom: I don't want yes-men around me. I want everyone to tell the truth, even if it costs them their jobs!

that is why you are anonymous...

« Reply #20 on: March 17, 2014, 14:46 »
+10
When all is said & done, other people care a lot less about anything we have to say than we think they do...

KB

« Reply #21 on: March 17, 2014, 15:55 »
+1

I understand the fear of retaliation, but I think the anonymous folks should know that being anonymous in any forum greatly diminishes the value some folks will place on their comments. Especially in this business, where we talk about levels of success, portfolio performance, etc., knowing where the comments about those things come from can be extremely important. There is a world of difference between someone saying they are having problems getting new images to sell at whatever agency for example when that person has 10 images in their portfolio or 10,000. Even the kind of work people do is important contextual information in any discussion here, and without that it is often really difficult to gauge the significance of a comment.
I understand and agree this is a problem with being anonymous. The speedometers give at least a little hint as to whether someone is a complete novice, one of the top tier, or somewhere in between. Though it seems their use has somewhat grown out of favor recently, for some reason. Even if one has portfolio links, I think the meters give a quick visual cue as to the poster's ranking, and I wish more people would use them.

As an IS exclusive, I wouldn't write many of the posts that I do if I couldn't be anonymous. Being totally dependent on one site (owned by a company that seems determined to run it into the ground), it would be even more stupid to make negative comments about them that could result in retaliation of some kind. I'd rather not post than have to post non-anonymously.

marthamarks

« Reply #22 on: March 17, 2014, 16:06 »
0
Isn't anyone who posts here, without a link to their portfolio, in effect anonymous?

Well, I (for one) am most decidedly not anonymous. Happy to be ID'd by my own name and photo.

marthamarks

« Reply #23 on: March 17, 2014, 16:08 »
+2
The speedometers give at least a little hint as to whether someone is a complete novice, one of the top tier, or somewhere in between. Though it seems their use has somewhat grown out of favor recently, for some reason. Even if one has portfolio links, I think the meters give a quick visual cue as to the poster's ranking, and I wish more people would use them

I actually have no idea how the speedometers work or how to read them. They mean zip to me. How do you choose or choose not to use them?

Shelma1

  • stockcoalition.org
« Reply #24 on: March 17, 2014, 16:15 »
+1
I didn't even realize they were speedometers.  ???

« Reply #25 on: March 17, 2014, 16:23 »
-4
To wrap it up, I prefer widespread anonymity to the axiom: I don't want yes-men around me. I want everyone to tell the truth, even if it costs them their jobs!

that is why you are anonymous...

As usual you missed the point Luis. Just the opposite, there is no need for people to expose themselves to retribution from the sites if they remain anonymous.  Or maybe you just enjoy taking snippy sideways jabs.

You changed the meaning of my post by highlighting the wrong part, It should be like so.

To wrap it up, I prefer widespread anonymity to the axiom: I don't want yes-men around me. I want everyone to tell the truth, even if it costs them their jobs!

that is why you are anonymous...

Edit to clear ambiguity
« Last Edit: March 18, 2014, 10:02 by gbalex »

« Reply #26 on: March 17, 2014, 16:33 »
0

I understand the fear of retaliation, but I think the anonymous folks should know that being anonymous in any forum greatly diminishes the value some folks will place on their comments. Especially in this business, where we talk about levels of success, portfolio performance, etc., knowing where the comments about those things come from can be extremely important. There is a world of difference between someone saying they are having problems getting new images to sell at whatever agency for example when that person has 10 images in their portfolio or 10,000. Even the kind of work people do is important contextual information in any discussion here, and without that it is often really difficult to gauge the significance of a comment.

Speaking for myself, I don't mind at all if being anonymous "disminishes the value placed on my comments". I'm here to learn and gather information: now and then I can offer bits of my own data, but that's secondary (for me).

yeah, guess we should all be like you, enjoying everything we can get and sharing nada, oh whatever!

Read it again. I share, now and then, but if people thinks that data from anonymous posters are worthless, it's not my fault.

« Reply #27 on: March 17, 2014, 16:51 »
+3
   It might be interesting to have an Exclusive thread every once in a while. Everyone could read it and learn, but only photographers with portfolio links could post on it. Real Microstockers talking to real Microstockers.
« Last Edit: March 17, 2014, 16:58 by rimglow »

KB

« Reply #28 on: March 17, 2014, 16:51 »
+2
I actually have no idea how the speedometers work or how to read them. They mean zip to me. How do you choose or choose not to use them?
They exist only for IS & DT portfolios. They appear by entering your Username on your Forum Profile page in the box next to the site's name. That's the box you enter to make your portfolio links available, but there is a checkbox provided that allows you to not display your portfolio links (letting you enter this info and still show the gauges).

They give an indication of how the username is doing relative to that site's smallest and biggest contributors, by number of sales and perhaps port size (I forget).

KB

« Reply #29 on: March 17, 2014, 16:52 »
+1
I didn't even realize they were speedometers.  ???
That's what I call 'em.  ;D The official forum term seems to be 'gauge'.

« Reply #30 on: March 17, 2014, 17:03 »
0
   It might be interesting to have an Exclusive thread every once in a while. Everyone could read it and learn, but only photographers with portfolio links could post on it. Real Microstockers talking to real Microstockers.

I don't understand your minus, I think it is a great idea actually

marthamarks

« Reply #31 on: March 17, 2014, 17:17 »
+1
I didn't even realize they were speedometers.  ???

So glad to know I haven't been the only clueless one!   :D

KB

« Reply #32 on: March 17, 2014, 17:21 »
+1
   It might be interesting to have an Exclusive thread every once in a while. Everyone could read it and learn, but only photographers with portfolio links could post on it. Real Microstockers talking to real Microstockers.

I don't understand your minus, I think it is a great idea actually
I'm not a real Microstocker because I want to remain anonymous?  :'(

« Reply #33 on: March 17, 2014, 17:22 »
+4
I have noticed a drop in honest feed back once the campaign to villainize anonymous contributions took hold here.

If you want a pasteurized board where everyone is afraid to say what they think go to the mirco boards. I find sycophantic feed back designed to win preferential favor with the sites distasteful, I would rather hear honest uncensored feedback from someone who is anonymous.

To wrap it up, I prefer widespread anonymity to the axiom: I don't want yes-men around me. I want everyone to tell the truth, even if it costs them their jobs!

If you don't want yes men and want the truth why are you hiding?

marthamarks

« Reply #34 on: March 17, 2014, 17:22 »
+1
I actually have no idea how the speedometers work or how to read them. They mean zip to me. How do you choose or choose not to use them?
They exist only for IS & DT portfolios. They appear by entering your Username on your Forum Profile page in the box next to the site's name. That's the box you enter to make your portfolio links available, but there is a checkbox provided that allows you to not display your portfolio links (letting you enter this info and still show the gauges).

They give an indication of how the username is doing relative to that site's smallest and biggest contributors, by number of sales and perhaps port size (I forget).

Wow! Who'd a thunk it???

Thanks for the info. Now I feel like one of the clued-in ones, not the clue-less.

« Reply #35 on: March 17, 2014, 17:34 »
0

I'm not a real Microstocker because I want to remain anonymous?  :'(

Maybe a better word would be a vetted Microstocker.

« Reply #36 on: March 17, 2014, 17:57 »
0
I have noticed a drop in honest feed back once the campaign to villainize anonymous contributions took hold here.

If you want a pasteurized board where everyone is afraid to say what they think go to the mirco boards. I find sycophantic feed back designed to win preferential favor with the sites distasteful, I would rather hear honest uncensored feedback from someone who is anonymous.

To wrap it up, I prefer widespread anonymity to the axiom: I don't want yes-men around me. I want everyone to tell the truth, even if it costs them their jobs!

If you don't want yes men and want the truth why are you hiding?

Do I question your choices or follow you around the boards taking jabs at your posts?  You are entitled to conduct your business and express your beliefs any way you please. I intend to do the same no matter how many jump on the slam band wagon.

When did the lines become so blurred in this business that everyone thinks they should be entitled to business information that should remain private. How many other business's share the type of information we do on microstock sites.

If you post non anonymously that you have great sales, within a few days you will notice that other contributors are copying your best selling images. And if you post that you have poor sales, it does not take long for the same crowd to offer derogatory comments regarding your port.
« Last Edit: March 17, 2014, 18:02 by gbalex »

cuppacoffee

« Reply #37 on: March 17, 2014, 18:45 »
+3
This is discussed every year or so. The answers are the same each time.

http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/why-are-you-anonymous-and-if-not-why-not/

« Reply #38 on: March 17, 2014, 18:45 »
+6
There is certainly some reason to be anonymous - like if you ever want to say anything less than glowing about say <cough>fotolia</cough>.

I am ok w/ people being anonymous, but it would be nice if they would just stick to one username, as over time you get a sense of what they are saying and if it seems credible or not. Otherwise it takes them talking about "nieche" subjects or something like that to recognize them. Some people do seem to have agendas, so I take their pronouncements with a grain of salt - ditto for the people that seem to enjoy trolling and stirring the pot just to stir the pot (anonymous or not).

« Reply #39 on: March 17, 2014, 18:52 »
-1
This is discussed every year or so. The answers are the same each time.

http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/why-are-you-anonymous-and-if-not-why-not/


always interesting to see old topics, as you have said not much have changed, anyway noticed that a lot of folks left MSG for very different reasons including the anonymity discussion

Uncle Pete

« Reply #40 on: March 17, 2014, 21:23 »
+1
I'll explain the difference. It's not about whether people should be anonymous or not here. There are enough privacy or fear of agency reasons or copying or whatever else, to say, some people feel justified and want to remain anonymous.

The question in this is, how credible are anonymous posters? How much should anyone trust someone anonymous with their insider information or claims of something the agency is doing or not doing?

Not the same discussion. If people would read the article before answering, it would be more self evident. It's about credibility, to some extent accountability.

The website also includes this, "Tim Maughan, the commenter on my original piece, couched his support for pen names as part of a larger concern for the personal safety of online writers who say unpopular things." Which is in support of anonymity!

That's where people here would want to be anonymous. Business and personal insulation from possible retribution from an agency.

I like the seal or validation idea. It takes no time for anyone here to see a little sign that the person is validated, without going to the trouble of clicking their profile or digging through messages to see if they are open and public or in hiding for their own desire for security.

This is discussed every year or so. The answers are the same each time.

http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/why-are-you-anonymous-and-if-not-why-not/

« Reply #41 on: March 17, 2014, 22:07 »
+4
I have never spent time trying to figure out who is who on this site. I pay attention to the what the person posts. I value contributors who ask questions and exhibit consistency of thoughts, values, ideals.  I know quite a few people here, however I do not find them more credible than some anonymous posters who consistently make good points or ask valuable questions.

Hobostocker

    This user is banned.
« Reply #42 on: March 18, 2014, 05:46 »
0
it's never a good idea to write in public forums with your real name, you'll never know what could happen in the future, how the stuff you write could be indexed or aggregated or whatever, not to mention the whole NSA scandal clearly shows we're already tracked at every step during our online activities.

but i don't think it's a big deal to use a nick name, just send a private message and most of the users will be happy to share their whereabouts.

i mean nobody is scared of the other users, they're scared of the many google, NSA, etc

if i write some funny BS here i don't want to be tracked 10 yrs from now in a few clicks ... and i can tell you i can find some very old posts of mine on usenet and ancient forums just searching for a few keywords and my surname and  this is NO good as there are already too many stalkers and weirdos around not to mention eventual clients or employers with plenty of time in their hands, same reason for which my social network pages are not public and i don't use socials a lot anyway.

this forum too has no reason to be public actually, it stays public just to be keep ranking on google for specific keywords, that's the only reason, nothing else.

it makes sense to be public on LinkedIn, but not on FB or whatever else.

do you think you can grab new clients by writing here ? think again .. this is just a place for discussion, for rants, for criticism, and it's not wise to put your criticism in public, you never know what some idiot clients will figure about you and your political views on the industry, not to mention that it's not their F ing business.

there's a big difference between discussing what we do here face to face with somebody and letting it written on a forum for all to see, when face to face i can certainly spit on getty or the whole stock industry, but i will carefully choose my words and i will engage in a fruitful discussion, a written rant on a forum can give the reader a totally different experience, especially if lost inside in a messy 30 pages thread full of emoticons and off topic remarks .. a client could think you're a mo-ron and an as-shole, or an arrogant pr-ick who knows it all, and if not it's still a risk not worth the hassle, if you like being public open your own personal blog, that's the right place and you can enjoy some benefits and eventually earn new clients and sales or assignment if you write something useful.









EmberMike

« Reply #43 on: March 18, 2014, 08:49 »
+2
...The question in this is, how credible are anonymous posters? How much should anyone trust someone anonymous with their insider information or claims of something the agency is doing or not doing?

Not the same discussion. If people would read the article before answering, it would be more self evident. It's about credibility, to some extent accountability...

Exactly.

We know some of the agencies read this forum. Some participate in discussions using official forum accounts. Some even game the poll to get their company ranked higher. So I think it is safe to assume that some employees/representatives of agencies might also be lurking around here under anonymous names or fake names. We already have one well-known member who is suspected by many to be employed by a stock agency. And see how their credibility has fared as a result?

We've seen people who flat-out lied about their work and success over at the SS forum. Anonymity only makes it harder to know who is telling the truth. In some topics maybe it doesn't matter. But when we get down to talking about how sales are going, how our portfolios are performing, etc., to me, anonymous users may as well not even be posting anything in those discussions.

« Reply #44 on: March 18, 2014, 08:59 »
0
There is the option to ignore anyone you don't trust.

Goofy

« Reply #45 on: March 18, 2014, 09:03 »
0
There is the option to ignore anyone you don't trust.

I know  :)



Uncle Pete

« Reply #46 on: March 18, 2014, 12:33 »
+3
Or to simply not trust anyone you don't know and who has proven to make unsubstantiated claims, over and over.  Yes Goofy you messages gets the seal of approval.  ;)



Wow the NSA is reading our forums now and saving what we write. I didn't know we were so important?

There is the option to ignore anyone you don't trust.


I know  :)


Wow three for one for one post! (and Mike hit the Home Run to drive in the final score)

...The question in this is, how credible are anonymous posters? How much should anyone trust someone anonymous with their insider information or claims of something the agency is doing or not doing?

Not the same discussion. If people would read the article before answering, it would be more self evident. It's about credibility, to some extent accountability...


Exactly.

We know some of the agencies read this forum. Some participate in discussions using official forum accounts. Some even game the poll to get their company ranked higher. So I think it is safe to assume that some employees/representatives of agencies might also be lurking around here under anonymous names or fake names. We already have one well-known member who is suspected by many to be employed by a stock agency. And see how their credibility has fared as a result?

We've seen people who flat-out lied about their work and success over at the SS forum. Anonymity only makes it harder to know who is telling the truth. In some topics maybe it doesn't matter. But when we get down to talking about how sales are going, how our portfolios are performing, etc., to me, anonymous users may as well not even be posting anything in those discussions.



So true, the whole "Members Only" areas is a good joke. What stops some agency from having a member or a few of them. Heck, remember - we're anonymous and no one knows who that person is! There's no hint of privacy.

And all the rest too. People stuffing the polls for higher agency numbers when the forums show much different success. Anyone with half a brain can go find best sellers on most of the agency sites. If you are on page 1-2-3 you will be copied!

Still I support the right of people to be who they aren't and be anonymous. I'll stick with two simple points.

1) It's a license to lie, fabricate, make up things and be creative.

2) Anonymous people have far less credibility, in any subject or information sharing, than people who are willing to be identified.

If the point is they don't want someone to know what they are doing, then they shouldn't post sales or claims, because we aren't supposed to know. Are we? And if someone says they know something about a subject, from an unnamed source and it's an anonymous post, what does that mean? No attribution, no one is standing behind one word of it.

So be anonymous, whatever your personal reasons. I'm all for it folks.

Just don't demand that you be trusted or that your information is respected as factual. It has no credibility coming from an anonymous source. That simple. You hit it Mike: "anonymous users may as well not even be posting anything in those discussions."

ps Nope Gbalex, I don't care either and don't stalk and try to figure out who people are. There's honestly no value in it for me. Maybe an entertaining challenge, but no useful purpose.  :)
« Last Edit: March 18, 2014, 12:45 by Uncle Pete »

Hobostocker

    This user is banned.
« Reply #47 on: March 20, 2014, 05:28 »
-2
2) Anonymous people have far less credibility, in any subject or information sharing, than people who are willing to be identified.


of course, and rightly so, but this is just a forum and as such it's not the best place to stick your name and your business reputation around.

EmberMike

« Reply #48 on: March 20, 2014, 09:06 »
+4
of course, and rightly so, but this is just a forum and as such it's not the best place to stick your name and your business reputation around.

Only if you're posting things that would harm your reputation.

« Reply #49 on: March 20, 2014, 11:34 »
+2
.."opslog jeg min ridder hjlm, og de s jeg var Holger Danske og ingen formummet sklm"..
Sentence from old lyrics we learned in school.

translates loosely, "open your helms visir so you can be recognized as who you are".

Thats what men do. They dare, also when it costs. They are men.
There are tons of excuses, for this and that, there are lots of good reasons, but it all boils down to to dare to be who you are.
And if you dont, there is no place in Valhalla for you.

« Reply #50 on: March 20, 2014, 11:57 »
0
.."opslog jeg min ridder hjlm, og de s jeg var Holger Danske og ingen formummet sklm"..
Sentence from old lyrics we learned in school.

translates loosely, "open your helms visir so you can be recognized as who you are".

Thats what men do. They dare, also when it costs. They are men.
There are tons of excuses, for this and that, there are lots of good reasons, but it all boils down to to dare to be who you are.
And if you dont, there is no place in Valhalla for you.

When you expressed your views on SS they responded by sending you to hell with a ban.  Thus you can no longer express any of your views at shutterstock.

marthamarks

« Reply #51 on: March 20, 2014, 19:34 »
+2
Thats what men do. They dare, also when it costs. They are men.

And women can dare, too! 8)

« Reply #52 on: March 21, 2014, 00:30 »
0
i tend to think anonymous is truer indicator of who you are as a person than a person with their real identity online. People with their real identity tend to be on their best behavior.... Now is that really you?


 

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