January 12, 2006

knowing me knowing you ... in praise of anonymity

Security Guru Bruce Schneier has an article in Wired on anonymity, how useful it is, and how safe it is. The key point is that you cannot judge anyone with any accuracy based one their name alone, you must have some idea of their actions.
The problem isn't anonymity; it's accountability. If someone isn't accountable, then knowing his name doesn't help. If you have someone who is completely anonymous, yet just as completely accountable, then -- heck, just call him Fred.

History is filled with bandits and pirates who amass reputations without anyone knowing their real names.

EBay's feedback system doesn't work because there's a traceable identity behind that anonymous nickname. EBay's feedback system works because each anonymous nickname comes with a record of previous transactions attached, and if someone cheats someone else then everybody knows it.
Not only that there are very good reasons for not releasing your real name, The Religion of Peace for example blogs anonymously for the simple reason that to do otherwise would endanger their life. That does not stop you from being able to judge the trustworthiness of their output, however any critique must be delivered by email or in your own blog. Rather than the prefered Islamist way of pinned to the chest of your dead opponent with a dagger.

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