Anonymity on the internet * Arguments in favor of anonymity on the internet 1. Anonymity is useful for people who want to ask technical questions that they don't want to admit they don't know the answer to, report illegal activities without fear of retribution, and many other things. 2. Without anonymity, these actions can result in public ridicule or censure, physical injury, loss of employment or status, and in some cases, even legal action. 3. Protection from harm resulting from this type of social intolerance is a definite example of an important and legitimate use of anonymity on the internet. 4. Doctors who are members of the on-line community often encourage their patients to connect with others and form support groups on issues about which they do not feel comfortable speaking about publicly. 5. It is essential to be able to express certain opinions without revealing your true identity. One relevant example of anonymity in the real world is the debate over Caller ID on telephones. 6. People had taken for granted that they could be anonymous if they wanted and were distressed at the idea of that anonymity being taken away. 7. There are many long-standing precedents for anonymity in publishing. The responsibility of a journalist not to reveal their sources is recognized almost universally. Many authors write under pen-names and there are still some cases where the true identity of the author has never been discovered. 8. Although some people will automatically discount any anonymous postings, other people don't care who wrote it, as long as it is intelligent or funny. Still others use anonymity specifically to allow their opinions to be judged on their merit, rather than by the name attached to