Peace,

Tim

Is this a record thread yet?

Now a viewer should be more skeptical of anonymously posted content. But you have to look at the reason for the anonymity and the quality of the content itself. If an anonymous poster has built some reputation capital through continuous quality, they inevitably become more “trusted” as a content source. The cream, does indeed rise to the top.

I say this as because cryptography, steganography, pgp-based reputation systems and the like have long intrigued me.

As far as bad stories getting out about you. To some degree, being wide open can form a buffer to that. Your reptuation is tied to the identiy you are projecting and things that clearly don’t fit that identity may be more easily repudiated.

As far as nola.com comments go, that’s a case of the crap dropping to the bottom. Nola.com needs to change that. Anonymous or pseudonymous comments work in some contexts and not in others.

As this grows, more and more will come. I would suggest that the policy be: “We welcome and encourage your presence but this forum is fundamentally about citizen involvement. This is your chance, as a prospective candidate, to _listen_ to us and not the other way around”

First off, thanks for being cool about me reprinting your ENTIRE Nagin’s Sins post. I know something like that could have gone in a different direction. But it’s so brilliant and I think it could be another chink to the Emperor’s armor, thus it needs to find a home in many places – with the appropriate citation and recognition of course.

Here’s the link:

http://blog.nola.com/notesonneworleans/2008/08/okayfirst_off_its_no_easy.html

on the case for anonymity, previous bloggers cited the very reasons I don’t use my birth name. However, my blog really is just a recap of current events with some salty commentary and extensive source citations. So I don’t think putting my name on front street is really necessary. Anyone wanting to get in touch with me – or challenge my content for that matter – can definitely find/contact me.

thanks again for the blog love,
Red