Posted by Larry Hoover on November 5, 2004, at 9:16:18
In reply to Psycho-Babble Anonymous, posted by Toph on November 3, 2004, at 12:59:22
Hmmmm....It's hard to address hypotheticals, sometimes.
I think there are some real opportunities in what you suggest. Some concepts hurt the vessel they're stored in more than the vessel they're poured in. Some challenges we face are very corrosive to the psyche.
Anonymity within anonymity. Hmmm. You suggested the assignment of a number for identification purposes. That works, I guess, but it might be hard to keep track of individuals, to not confuse one for another. Also, I don't think that an anonymous identifier should expire after one day. Again, continuity issues.
Now, if one has a unique posting style, or perhaps has issues that might have been hinted at on other boards, then I see that to be something that the individual would need to weigh for themselves. The risk of being identified versus the risk of remaining silent. That's a very personal decision.
Just to use you as an example, Toph, I have no way of linking that name to a real live person. Nonetheless, I do tend to attribute certain characteristics to that name, based on what I have seen you post. I can understand the desire to not have that "character" tainted or distorted or embarassed or vilified....etc.
The main impediment to such a board would be technical, actually. Keeping track of registrations is already quite a responsibility for Dr. Bob, I would think. Having more than one posting name per registration could be technically or managerially burdensome.
I think the idea has merit. I think that the management issues need some serious thought, though, if it is to work.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:411124
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20041027/msgs/412049.html