The article linked below is a stirring defense of anonymity on the Internet, thanks to Mariam Cook of the Guardian. Although many in the online defamation industry complain about the atmosphere that the guaranteed anonymity of the Internet has created, this article clearly demonstrates that we are complaining about what we see without considering what might become of the Internet, and reputations, without anonymity.

In our online panopticon where forum posts, Guardian comments and political blogs can all be found by employers via a simple Google search, what might be the result of forcing people to specify their offline identity? Would commenters – good, bad or rabid – take the time to stop by and debate an environment story, the Chilcot inquiry, or women’s place in the workplace if they thought their opinion was instantly traceable? Would they self-censor, keen to keep their online reputation free of political opinion. Would they just participate less?

My guess is that participation would simply decrease, and so would the vehemence of the participation. However, I see, and agree with, the general point of Ms. Cook’s article.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/mar/17/protecting-online-anonymity

Everywhere you go, your reputation follows you. Online, the reputation magnifies and can be distorted by people and forces. One of the best pieces of the article is where the author talks about the lack of thought that goes into peoples posting. The authors warning, at the end, is simple.

Don’t post anything your parents, your principal or boss, the police or predators or crooks can’t see. Take a second before you post it and think about what you’re saying and how it could be misinterpreted, how it could be abused. If you’re posting a picture, how’s your boss going to feel about the fact that you posted it when you were supposed to be home sick? And how are your kids going to feel about it? Even if you don’t have them now, you will someday probably. What damage could that one thing do? There are consequences for everything.

Protecting your privacy and your reputation is of incredible importance. It is easier to prevent reputation damage than to repair the damage after via reputation management services.

http://www.smartplanet.com/people/blog/pure-genius/protecting-your-privacy-and-reputation-online/2480/

Jim Albaugh, CEO of Boeing’s Commercial Airplanes Unit, presides over a company that has traditionally had a wonderful reputation. This comes from their unparalleled production of top-notch aircraft. This, however, could change.

the company cannot keep having strikes or raising wages at the rate it recently has. He said the Aerospace Machinists’ strike in 2008 cost the company $5 billion in cash. It also damaged the company’s reputation with its customers, who are now inserting into contracts that if an airplane is delivered late because of a strike, the company will have to pay penalties.

It might seem like a little thing–but even the smallest bit of damage to an international airplane producer’s reputation could give competitors the edge. Any company which suffers from frequent strikes, too, is bound to need a reputation manager sooner or later.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2011235118_edit03albaugh.html