Anonymous blogging is for cowards
In his "Media Metamorphosis" blog, Chuck Tanowitz (a colleague of mine here at Schwartz) asks why so many bloggers remain anonymous. That's easy - they're gutless. It's easy to be a tough guy when there's almost no chance you'll be personally confronted or held accountable for your remarks. Anonymous blogging is the online equivalent of flipping someone off while you're driving away at 65 mph - all glory, no risk. It's also equivalent to the people who call radio/TV talk shows - they toss verbal bombs at others, safe in the knowledge that the other person can't go after them. Years ago, the Union-Leader newspaper in New Hampshire had an editorial writer by the name of Jim Finnegan. This guy pulled no punches with his editorials, they were brutal - and every one was signed with his name at the bottom. People knew who wrote it and where to find him. I didn't agree with everything he wrote, but I respected his approach. I'm sure there are instances when a blogger might uncover information about shenanigans going on at a business or government organization, thus justifying the cloak of anonymity - but these instances are very rare. The blogosphere is filled with alot of worthwhile material; it's also littered with alot of junk. If you have something to say, sign your name to it!
Posted by John Moran on October 12, 2006 at 9:38 AM
