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The Forum > Article Comments > Is society becoming more extreme? > Comments

Is society becoming more extreme? : Comments

By Mal Fletcher, published 22/1/2015

Too much polarisation results in a shrinking middle ground and the growth of alienation, bitterness and recrimination.

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An interesting idea, Is Mise, but I wonder if you've fully considered what it might mean.

For example, should politicians be anonymous, or should they simply refrain from expressing things that somebody might object to? Should coppers be unidentifiable? Should priests and other religious people be secret operators? What about car regos: after all some people might choose to criticise the driving ability (or parentage, perhaps) of others on the road, should be able to do so with no possibility of being identified?

Public servants, often with authority to implement immediate decisions that take considerable effort to overturn and can impact people's lives in very serious ways, already seek to remain anonymous. Is that reasonable? Why?

Or is it just internet trolls who want to be unpleasant a**ewipes without risking being flushed who should be able to hide behind anonymity?
Posted by Craig Minns, Sunday, 25 January 2015 8:29:45 AM
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Craig
Good point. And what about voters?
Posted by Jardine K. Jardine, Sunday, 25 January 2015 10:10:06 AM
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Voters aren't anonymous anywhere in the world, to the best of my knowledge. Certainly not here in Australia - I've got two fines for choosing not to vote to prove my point.
Posted by Craig Minns, Sunday, 25 January 2015 12:30:01 PM
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"Or is it just internet trolls who want to be unpleasant a**ewipes without risking being flushed who should be able to hide behind anonymity?"

Got it in one, Minus.

I might remind you that arse wipes are very useful, usually hygenic and are associated with people who do not cleanse the leftovers from defecation with the fingers of the left hand.
Posted by Is Mise, Sunday, 25 January 2015 12:35:42 PM
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If you make anonymous posts, you don't need to worry about reprisals in the real world of the various sorts discussed by RObert, but you don't have any credibility either, unless you link to credible sources. It ought to be your choice. I suspect that some of the people who object to anonymity would never dream of saying anything politically incorrect themselves and would like people who do to be subject to reprisals. This can obviously discourage good arguments as well as bad arguments and abuse.

Of course, it is up to the moderator of the site to decide when people should be suspended or banned for abusing anonymity. A site may become very unpopular very fast if it contains disgusting abuse. The moderator also knows your real name and email address, and could be required to give them up under some circumstances.
Posted by Divergence, Sunday, 25 January 2015 1:05:04 PM
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Divergence, I've not seen too many posters using their real names here. A few who've written articles do, 'tis true, or use aliases that are clearly linked to their real names, but otherwise I'm at a loss, so your point about wanting others to be subject to reprisals is not strong.

So let's think about the next point you make, with respect to self-censorship (make non-PC comments).

As someone who proudly wears my identity, I do my very best not to self-censor and I suspect, based on the responses to some of my comments, that those comments are not well-received by some of those bravely hiding behind anonymity.

Let me ask you: who is a greater threat to the values we take as defining us as Australians? The person who stands up and says "Love me or hate me, this is what I think is important", or the one who hides around the corner, ready to bolt at the first sign of trouble, stirring up those who are strong of arm and short of brain?
Posted by Craig Minns, Sunday, 25 January 2015 1:43:14 PM
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