For most of the history of leftwing activism in Canada (or indeed, the world), it would have been impossible to imagine having a debate about tactics, strategies or goals among comrades that was held anonymously.
Yes, yes, to all of this, especially the risk to solidarity that anonymity presents. You mention cops. Also political plants, private security. So easy to infiltrate an online debate among “handles” compared to an actual meeting of persons. The latter is done too, of course, but it’s labor intensive—an actual job, even. Sealioning leftist discourse is not only easy for pros, it’s an idle hobby for a sea of trolls.
I started using my real name on-line years back, commenting at the, ahh, extremists on Postmedia comment columns deriding "socialists" (like Carney), years ago. It's done a world of good for my writing and attitude.
I have a web site at brander.ca, making me very easy to google. The phone number and street address are at the top of the page. Actually, the landline and my mobile.
I get the usual unpleasant interactions of anybody to the left of Trump, on Postmedia, in particular.
I have never had a crank phone call, much less a letter or an appearance of some feared goon squad.
Non-anonymity has done me so much good (I bite back most of my worst words) that I now champion non-anonymity, or at LEAST "non-anonymous spaces", on the Internet. There's really very few people that need it.
Scratch that. I can only say that a white male with no fears of job-loss does not need it.
I heard about "Gamergate", etc. I'm only telling my experience.
Yup, and thanks for reminding us that we need to go outside and talk to real people and occupy real places (like your shows with Sandy) and stay logged onto the news from real people that keep us connected with resources for victory.
Nah, we need to go outside and talk to real people and occupy real places and stay logged onto the news and people that keep us connected with resources for victory.
Yes, yes, to all of this, especially the risk to solidarity that anonymity presents. You mention cops. Also political plants, private security. So easy to infiltrate an online debate among “handles” compared to an actual meeting of persons. The latter is done too, of course, but it’s labor intensive—an actual job, even. Sealioning leftist discourse is not only easy for pros, it’s an idle hobby for a sea of trolls.
Yeah, and those ocean metaphors are gonna sink the revolution LOLZ
I started using my real name on-line years back, commenting at the, ahh, extremists on Postmedia comment columns deriding "socialists" (like Carney), years ago. It's done a world of good for my writing and attitude.
I have a web site at brander.ca, making me very easy to google. The phone number and street address are at the top of the page. Actually, the landline and my mobile.
I get the usual unpleasant interactions of anybody to the left of Trump, on Postmedia, in particular.
I have never had a crank phone call, much less a letter or an appearance of some feared goon squad.
Non-anonymity has done me so much good (I bite back most of my worst words) that I now champion non-anonymity, or at LEAST "non-anonymous spaces", on the Internet. There's really very few people that need it.
Scratch that. I can only say that a white male with no fears of job-loss does not need it.
I heard about "Gamergate", etc. I'm only telling my experience.
Yup, and thanks for reminding us that we need to go outside and talk to real people and occupy real places (like your shows with Sandy) and stay logged onto the news from real people that keep us connected with resources for victory.
Could not agree more Nora. Alan Story THE LEFT LANE.
If there's to be any hope for a left wing movement, we all need to log the fuck off
Nah, we need to go outside and talk to real people and occupy real places and stay logged onto the news and people that keep us connected with resources for victory.
Totally, I guess I meant it metaphorically and I'm only speaking from experience heheh