“Anonymous cowards”

It’s easy to type something online and post it. And it’s even easier to stay in the shadows and not have a name next to what it is you say. I do not doubt that, after nearly a decade of blogging, there are things I have said that are dated and inconsistent with today’s standards. But my name is still there to stand by what I said, or more importantly, I have an opportunity to address it and yes, change it if it needs to be. As a result, there is an opportunity to grow my ideas. Not hide from them.

One of my favorite websites, Mountain Projects, lets you post a comment without a name, but they are very clear about marking you as “Anonymous Coward.” Creating a standard if you are not going to stand by what you post. More importantly, sending the signal to the rest that you don’t need to treat this comment as if it came from someone who matters as much.

What if it is possible to create that same sorta feedback loop on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X? How would it change if whatever you posted was also featured on your LinkedIn? Would you act differently? Would you share something else?

Anonymously posting kills the public discord in the long run. Because what is being rewarded isn’t facts or truth, but what is viral.