Actually there are only 2 reasons to be anonymous - fear or dishonesty.  How valid is any opinion when even the author is not prepared to stand over it?

Quote from: heywoody on December 23, 2012, 05:46

How valid is any opinion when even the author is not prepared to stand over it?

The value of an opinion only depends on the authenticity of the author if the author is making a statement which cannot stand on its own.

+1

Exactly.  An opinion is valid when it's valid.  Knowledge of the author is irrelevant. 

Actually all opinions are valid and should be heard, despite whether people agree with them or not.  Isn't that the whole point of a forum?  I'd probably get more respect if people knew who I was but in a forum like this, I prefer people respect the points I raise, rather than the person I am.  I don't care if my competitors don't respect me as a person.  The important thing is that my buyers respect my work.

Anonymity isn't the real issue.  People who come to these forums for the sake of stirring trouble, whether they're anonymous or not, are the issue.  People who can't argue a point amicably are the issue.  People who have been in this industry too long and command respect and treat newbies with less respect than others are the issue.  People who can't help but be rude are the issue.  People who can't accept opinions that differ to their own are the issue.




Ponke, I would vote but I can't because I would need to choose a few options, including one important one that you've missed - copycats

I challenge anyone to provide a reason for anonymity that isn�t rooted in fear or dishonesty.

What about being business smart?  I suppose that can fall into 'fear'.

Quote from: heywoody on December 23, 2012, 07:31

I challenge anyone to provide a reason for anonymity that isn�t rooted in fear or dishonesty.

What about being business smart?  I suppose that can fall into 'fear'.

Absolutely, discretion being the better part of valour and all that 

Fear of plagiarism.

you can have well argued posts delivered anonymously but even these would be strengthened if the author is prepared to stand over

Only if the point requires a signature. Opinion does not necessarily have more gravitas for being signed. References (eg to sources) and examples are what matters (as I am sure many of us learned at University).

I would suggest though that "good" or "bad" depends on whether the reader agrees or not.

Only where the answer involves a subjective opinion. Not in a world of right and wrong answers.

On this particular site, the one area of opinion for which I'd have zero respect is port criticism by those in the long grass.

If someone asks for a critique it makes no difference whether the responses they get are anonymous or not. All that matters is the quality of the opinion. For the most part a well delivered critique will validate itself. The quality of a critique stands or falls on the quality of the opinion. Nothing else. Remember that the buyers are anonymous.

I challenge anyone to provide a reason for anonymity that isn�t rooted in fear or dishonesty.

I would turn that the other way. Unless an opinion requires a signature I do not see any reason why it should need to be signed.

In many cases you are likely to get more honest answers from anonymous sources.

How about "I am anonymous because I work for one of the agencies and want to give my real opinions" or something like that. I'm not saying I am or am not or know of members who are. There are reviewers and keymasters and IT people here from the agencies who are not "spies" but contributors too and can you imagine the scrutiny their portfolios and opinions would get if they were known for what they do at the agencies. Whenever an admin from an agency does post they are seen as having a pre-determined point of view and are speaking for that particular agency - often a good thing. But there are worker bees there too.

@aspp

Actually, I wouldn't disagree with this - you can have well argued posts delivered anonymously but even these would be strengthened if the author is prepared to stand over them (as you yourself argue with examples).  I would suggest though that "good" or "bad" depends on whether the reader agrees or not.  On this particular site, the one area of opinion for which I'd have zero respect is port criticism by those in the long grass.

I challenge anyone to provide a reason for anonymity that isn�t rooted in fear or dishonesty.

Reason three and four.  Trolling and Spam.

To answer the question, I'm not anonymous because I stand behind what I say. (I may be an idiot, but you know who the source is) If people wanted to steal ideas, they can go look at most popular images on the agency searches, (no points for fear of exposure, there are no secrets)

If an agency comes here and finds my posts upsetting (and they might even be true!) then retaliates, I don't want to work for a place that is that disrespectful of their artists. Drive a stake in the heart of the blood * parasite vampires! Don't feed them.

People need to move forward and be open, not hole up, stagnant and withdraw.

What that leaves the other two reasons. Spam or being a Troll.


"So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself�nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."

Franklin D. Roosevelt, Inaugural Address, March 4, 1933

Actually a pretty good post, Race.  I was thinking about that before reading your answer.  My idea is that there usually are two types of posters ... those seeking agreement and those seeking disagreement.

 

@cathy, yes, those looking to diversify will find where I am eventually but that doesn't mean I should advertise it, inviting everyone in there at once.  It gives me a chance to get my foot in the door.

But that's just one reason.

I don't see how being anonymous (on its own) matters.  As long as they're respectful of others, what difference does it make?  I understand trolls are a PITA and they annoy me just as much as anyone else.  I can't remember the ID but that guy (ltn or something like that) in the Pinerest thread who came in here just to cause trouble - people like that are annoying.  But then you get some like that who aren't anonymous. 

IMO, if someone puts their point across without putting others down, I don't care if I know their name or portfolio.  I won't change my opinion of their opinion.

Come to think of it, sometimes I prefer anonymity because there are many who are influenced by the person and not the opinion.  How many of you have one or two of those friends that agree with you just for the sake of it.  After a while it gets on your nerves and you end up respecting the guy who thinks for himself. 

<Noel Coward voice>

I prefer to remain an enigma.

</Noel Coward voice>

No not really... just fear I suppose.  Fear of plagiarism, fear of vendettas, fear of hit-men.  Just your basic paranoia.  I'm not proud of that but it is what it is - and 20 years on the Internet have taught me to be cautious.

The validity and weight of my posts rests on their content rather than any personal reputation. It is in no way diminishing their honesty

VERY nicely put!