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[unusualmusic_lj_archive]

The right to speak anonymously constitutionally protected

Pseudonymity, as the Brodie court observed, has been a part of internet culture from the very beginning. Pseudonymity does not yield way to lawlessness because of the concept of social capital. Every person with a livejournal account builds up social capital through discourse. An individual can become a respected herald even with a name like humpmydick or two_left_toes (I made those names up and apologize in advance if these users exist and I am using their handles profanely). In some ways, the pseudonymous nature of internet connections provides a level playing field. Each individual must prove their online worth through their words and deeds and not through any phenotypical characteristic (although backstories have a way of wending themselves in one’s narrative).

Even beyond the inherent double sided nature of an author speaking out against pseudonyms is the false argument that there is no accountability for those who use pseudonyms. The voice behind the pseudonym is well known. I think if I shut down Dear Author today and started up another blog, it wouldn’t be but a few weeks before someone would figure out the voice behind the other blog.

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Nicely constructed timeline:featuring derails


I am not the moderator


A moment of contemplation AKA The Yelling Class


You Can't Spell RaceFail without "I". There be snark in this here LJ


Conservative Fantasy


Publishing By Omission

And, then, of course, there is the recent fail of fails, POC pain as social experiment and info for book writing...

Thanks to all the posters!

sparkymonster and delux_vivens weigh in