The Glass House: Anonymity Vs. Transparency on the Internet

“It is probably no mere historical accident that the word person, in it’s first meaning, is a mask. It is rather a recognition of the fact that everyone is always and everywhere, more or less consciously, playing a role … it is in these roles that we know each other; it is in these roles that we know ourselves.” -Erving Goffman

The Glass House:Zuckerberg’s Vision for Transparency Noah Echols Digital Media Manager @nvechols Clay Duda Digital Media Specialist @clayduda

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Erving Goffman (1959)“Information about the individual helps todefine the situation, enabling others to knowin advance what he will expect of them andwhat they may expect of him. Informed inthese ways, the otherswill know how best to actin order to call forth adesired response fromhim.”

Looking at:• Context Collapse• Mark Zuckerberg vs. Christopher Poole• Specific implementation of differing ideals• You decide

Context Collapse

What is Context Collapse?• In face-to-face interaction we make careful decisions about how we will act and what we will say taking into account many factors that define the situation.• Online it is nearly impossible to know who your audience will be at all times, making it difficult to control the interpretation of your message.

Opposing Ideals“You have one identity… “The cost of failure is reallyHaving two identities for yourself is highan example of a lack of integrity.” when you’re contributing as yourself.”

Zuckerberg moves toward center• Facebook introduces ‘List’ function – Control status updates, but nothing else.

Zuckerberg moves toward center

Poole moves toward center• 4Chan adds e-mail field to deter illegal activity – Still very easy to bypass

Poole moves toward center

Zuckerberg moves back to extreme• Facebook adds frictionless sharing – Seamless sharing from around the web

Zuckerberg moves back to extreme

Poole moves in more toward center• Poole launches Canv.as, adds Facebook connect to verify users – Outward appearance remains anonymous

Poole moves in more toward center

“we shape our tools andthereafter our tools shape us.” -Marshall McLuhan

Q: So, in what ways do you seeour tools shaping us as individualsand as a society?

Q: How many of you use toolsto make you anonymous onlineon a regular basis?

Q: What about mobile andgeo-location? What are itsimplications on privacy?

Q: Which is better for society:transparency or anonymity?

The Glass House: Anonymity Vs. Transparency on the Internet

by Center for Sustainable Journalism at Kennesaw State University on Nov 14, 2011

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The Glass House: Anonymity Vs. Transparency on the Internet — Presentation Transcript