CBC to require people commenting on articles online to use real names

[Crissi]

We've come to this because people are assholes. To be precise, anonymous people are assholes with zero regard to what they're spewing and no accountability.

It takes massive amount of time to admin something as large as a popular news site (some guys on YT disable comments nowadays simply because it's nothing but garbage). Every minute you have to censor some asshats porn picture links on comments is one minute less you can spend on something productive.

assholes are assholes, anonymity or not. It may cut down somewhat on the toxicity, but there still will be people who abuse others (as facebook shows). This also just makes those who normally behave just more vulnerable to the ones who refuse to behave even without anonymity.

[Spunt]

So what is to stop someone from using this information and harrassing or stalking you? It's a very common tactic in SJW circles as well as those vehemently against them to harass people at their jobs, potentially causing them to get fired and other things that can potentially ruin someone's life. Seems like this is a very bad idea for the same reason it was a terribly idea when Blizzard tried it with that RealID nonsense.

[Cthulhu 2020]

assholes are assholes, anonymity or not. It may cut down somewhat on the toxicity, but there still will be people who abuse others (as facebook shows). This also just makes those who normally behave just more vulnerable to the ones who refuse to behave even without anonymity.

People are more likely to release their inner asshole if they're anonymous. People are generally cordial with each other even if they feel like acting like assholes, because they realize there are repercussions. People being forced to use their real name would most definitely temper that assholishness, but then where would they vent their anger?

[Deleted]

People being forced to use their real name would most definitely temper that assholishness, but then where would they vent their anger?

There are still lots and lots of sites that allow anonymous asshattery. Number and some japanophile word comes to mind.

[Crissi]

People are more likely to release their inner asshole if they're anonymous. People are generally cordial with each other even if they feel like acting like assholes, because they realize there are repercussions. People being forced to use their real name would most definitely temper that assholishness, but then where would they vent their anger?

WOuld it temper it? possibly. Enough to let people who generally behave be free from stalkerish behavior / doxxing / more intimate insults? not likely. Anonymity isnt just to protect the jerk, its to protect everyone. The unfortunate side effect of that is more people feel free to act like jerks, which is why sites have moderation.

[Dextroden]

So what is to stop someone from using this information and harrassing or stalking you? It's a very common tactic in SJW circles as well as those vehemently against them to harass people at their jobs, potentially causing them to get fired and other things that can potentially ruin someone's life. Seems like this is a very bad idea for the same reason it was a terribly idea when Blizzard tried it with that RealID nonsense.

People only think about saving the poor masses from assholes posting fuck you. No one ever considers personal slandering in real life or dragging in people from your circle who are unrelated to the situation.

Besides, how could you get people fired for their opinions if they're completely anonymous?

[Templar 331]

Prevents hate ideology from spreading.

"Tennisace, we the posters here at MMO-Champ deem your ideology hurtful and wrong. Because we know what your real name is we will contact your place of employment, your family's residence, their places of employment and we will ensure they understand that you are spreading hateful ideology. We will ensure you are no longer employed by anyone. You will be known by everyone in whatever town you live in. You will have no peace."

Imagine that happening to you because someone found out who you were online.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_of_Amanda_Todd

[Zantos]

Judging on the things people reply to articles on Dutch news sites with their own personal Facebook account... I can already tell you it will have little effect.

Those people are idiots honestly. Its clear that if they ever post with their personal facebook accounts that they don't understand the implications that it holds. Especially if someone can google them, see everything they have said, and use that as a means to hire them or not.

I agree with others. If my name was required, I would be done. I don't need to become a target just because someone disagrees with something I say. Not only that, but potential job employers would likely be rather quick to see how their potential new employee thinks by looking up what they say and what websites they post on. Heck, I know for sure that my playig WoW would get some people to not hire me because of the stigma involved with an MMO gamer.

I don't think these people fully appreciate the level of stupidity they are proposing. I hope they take measures to Protect everyone. Mark my words. First person to be killed or commit suicide because they were hunted down and harassed after posting something others didn't agree with will lead to a Massive lawsuit.

[Maconi]

Didn't Blizzard try the "Real Name" thing and people rioted? I doubt it'll go well in this case either.

[klogaroth]

If its anything like how commenting on articles in the U.S works, people wil creep on your profiles and still insult you, only this time using personal information!

This is the big problem with it.

Any time you remove anonymity you have to question not just what people with good intentions will do with this new information, but also what people with bad intentions will do.

You need to post your name to leave a comment. You don't need to post your name to read one.

Your name and your comment can then be posted all around the internet. Your comment supporting let's say, abortion rights, can be shared with every member of the Westboro Baptist Church.

[Deleted]

Heck, I know for sure that my playig WoW would get some people to not hire me because of the stigma involved with an MMO gamer.

I work in healthcare and people knowing that I like to play games where you blow people the fuck up has had zero impact on my career. Zilch, nada, none. Hell, I go to work wearing a t-shirt that says "Satan is the lord".

And if there is a profession where people are stuck up on their beliefs on what is good and what is not, this is it. I think the only place that's more rigid is a monestary.

[Anonymous1038853]

Personally, I think those advocating this sort of policy should be the first ones to volunteer their names for us. Make sure to throw out a phone number as well, so we can confirm it's really you. What's that, you say? You don't trust us? Oh, you don't like the idea of giving out personal information to strangers on the Internet? You're worried they might do something unjust to you? Then I guess you understand why folks dissent against this sort of thing, and should probably stop the absurd rhetoric that "Only the guilty have anything to hide."

Because if you're one of the people putting forth the argument that anonymity is exclusively used to facilitate bad behavior, and you're reluctant to volunteer your personal information to hold yourself to this standard, then I guess all of those cries of bigotry apply to you in equal measure. Ultimately, the existence of bad actors is precisely why everyone pursues anonymity online. This is already common knowledge, though. People have absolutely no problem acknowledging this fact when there's a "Women harassed online" thread. There's just too many self-righteous zealots who like to throw stones from glass houses.

[Crissi]

I work in healthcare and people knowing that I like to play games where you blow people the fuck up has had zero impact on my career. Zilch, nada, none. Hell, I go to work wearing a t-shirt that says "Satan is the lord".

And if there is a profession where people are stuck up on their beliefs on what is good and what is not, this is it. I think the only place that's more rigid is a monestary.

Depends on the HR guy, and the culture at the company. People can have biases against interests, and when you're already deperate for a job, one cant be picky.

[Dextroden]

Depends on the HR guy, and the culture at the company. People can have biases against interests, and when you're already deperate for a job, one cant be picky.

Good into a tech related field if you don't want to worry too much, either in general or about video games. All my friends reported back pretty laid back people. And day one of my new cell phone testing job is packed to the hills with chill folks who talk about games and other nonsense at break.

I'm loving it.

[dd614]

This will change a few responses on their site:

"go kill yourself" = "I disagree with your opinion"
"are you fucking retarded?" = "I don't think you have considered all your options yet"
"lol" = "that was amusing"
"u mad?" = "I think you are too worked up on the subject"

It would make the community a bit nicer I guess.

Hopefully. I've seen posters on CBC.ca call for the former PM of Canada to be murdered. Keep in mind CBC is owned by the government of Canada and employs moderators who are gov't employees.

[Wells]

I'm baffled on what the calculus is for even having comment sections on news sites is supposed to be.

[hrugner]

I'm baffled on what the calculus is for even having comment sections on news sites is supposed to be.

It generates return traffic, and increases reader involvement and the likelihood they will share an article, even one they disagree with. For some sites it also produces valuable content as well, but that's pretty rare.

[Wells]

It generates return traffic, and increases reader involvement and the likelihood they will share an article, even one they disagree with. For some sites it also produces valuable content as well, but that's pretty rare.

Yeah there are certainly places where comment sections aren't terrible, but they tend to be niche locations, like Foxtrot Alpha. I'd be curious on what the actual data on traffic is, I can't find anything reliable for major outlets. Certainly can't be too much since you're seeing some outlets move away from it.


That's what I'm talking about with calculus. Cost versus benefit. I know what the theoretical idea is.

[SirPiken]

This is why I laugh when people say they want to move to Canada. The SJW's are unfortunately winning there. Still kinda surprised they didn't convict Gregory Alan Elliott.

[hrugner]

Yeah there are certainly places where comment sections aren't terrible, but they tend to be niche locations, like Foxtrot Alpha. I'd be curious on what the actual data on traffic is, I can't find anything reliable for major outlets. Certainly can't be too much since you're seeing some outlets move away from it.


That's what I'm talking about with calculus. Cost versus benefit. I know what the theoretical idea is.

I'll be honest, finding good numbers on that is too hard for me to work out. All I have to go on is webdesign classes, lectures and conferences.

I know it's recommended for promoting a blog, small websites need it to get going, and niche websites that primarily attract experts find it very valuable. But, for sites with a good following it's probably not much of a dent. And it's probably counter productive if a site can push you into discussing their articles on social media instead.

Not having a comment section does mean you aren't in control of the discussion at all, which has good and bad points. And for controversial topics it means that your article will receive someone else's framing when distributed for discussion, which could be divisive since only passionate readers are likely to take up the cause one way or the other.

I'm currently of the opinion that large companies moving away from comment sections will work fine for those large companies but will squash smaller sites that adopt it. If it becomes common that sites grow out of comment sections, commenters will likely take offense at being abandoned and stir shit up.