Heffernan vs. Poole
Both Heffernan and Poole are clearly pro-anonymity, gushing over the dying art of forums online, but times are changing, and online privacy is something that we’re losing.
Heffernan focuses on the community aspect of anonymity, stating that forums allow one to have a support group about specific issues. Forums create an outlet for people to vent with others in similar situations. Poole on the other hand focuses on the the anonymous aspect of forums, which encompasses community. He expressed that he finds the raw and unfiltered nature of sites such as 4chan intriguing.
Personally, I feel as though community cannot be as strong with anonymity, for being anonymous creates an alternate world in a sense. At the same time, I think it’s almost impossible to be completely anonymous online. There are so many tricks and tools online that if someone wants to figure out who you are, there is most likely a way to do it.
I guess only time will tell what our online communities will grow to become. As for now, we wait.
