The anonymous option

Originally posted by greeneyedleo
Isnt everyone on here anonymous anyways?

No actually not. Many people use their real name as John Lear did and Jim Oberg does and many others like myself, I am linked to my real name.

Also anyone that share there Facebook account is too

reply to post by zorgon


He was such a prolific poster. It was sad to see him go. Although I think he may have had some problems with multiple personalities. Hopefully he's receiving the help he needs.

I happen to think that there is a small percentage of members here that entered into the conspiracy realm because of more then MSM, or government issues, but of something a bit more personal.

Ive seen some threads where a new member would spill their guts, and not know what comes with that territory in a place as big as ATS.

Anonymity is hard anyplace on the internet, and for those with personal stories, some terrifying, is harder for them, to find a place with both, intelligent conversation, and maybe even wise people that may be able to help.

Maybe there can be a form of RATS for people like this, with a higher level of entering, and posting, which can be a relief for some.

Peace, NRE.

reply to post by beezzer


There already was one (twice, on and off) a few years back, when I joined.
I don't think I've ever used it myself, but some of the most interesting posts I've read here were from anonymous posters.
I am all for it.
And since they always had to be approved first, I see no reason why that option shouldn't be reinstated.

The thing that gets me about this topic is because I feel, and correct me if I'm wrong, that a lot of it has to do with posturing. Being the "online you." Oh, and winning. I see people posting the same thing again and again. Today it's about homosexuality. You KNOW what everyone there is going to say. It's been said 2,000 times before here. But then I see them outside of those forums and get to see thinking people. BTS really is an eye opener. Go there and actually get to know people. Bottom line? Be yourself and "winning" isn't all that important.

Originally posted by Xcalibur254
He was such a prolific poster. It was sad to see him go. Although I think he may have had some problems with multiple personalities. Hopefully he's receiving the help he needs.

I think it's a great idea. I see where the OP is coming from. I don't like GLPs set up where anyone can just go to the site and post. It'd be cool if there was a way to set it up where the person still had to have an account and be logged in, but choosing to be anonymous would hide the poster from everyone but the mods/whatever. That way bans can still be given out appropriately if people abuse it. I don't even know if that's possible but I'm just thinking as I type. Anyway, cool idea imo.

Originally posted by apodictic
I think it's a great idea. I see where the OP is coming from. I don't like GLPs set up where anyone can just go to the site and post.

I don't know what GLP is, but I don't see any reason why anyone, without an account, shouldn't post as they wish.
Like I said, this option already existed here at one time, and it produced some truly interesting posts.
And they had to be approved first, according to the general rules, so there was never any spamming.

Originally posted by AdAstra

Originally posted by apodictic
I think it's a great idea. I see where the OP is coming from. I don't like GLPs set up where anyone can just go to the site and post.

I don't know what GLP is, but I don't see any reason why anyone, without an account, shouldn't post as they wish.
Like I said, this option already existed here at one time, and it produced some truly interesting posts.
And they had to be approved first, according to the general rules, so there was never any spamming.

Google it. You'd see why if you went there. That place is nuts. No one ever stays on topic, it's only a bunch of insults flying around.

Being approved first is a good idea, but that's a lot of extra work.

reply to post by intrepid


This is exactly how I feel. It seems like many members treat this as more of a game than anything else. They may claim to believe the stuff they spout. They may have even convinced themselves that they believe it. But in the end they come across as simply trying to win and argument while being the underdog (i.e. arguing for the alternative viewpoint). This comes across very clear in threads dealing with doomsday prophecies.

Personally, I live in the political threads. Honesty has taken a backseat to ideology. I've been guilty of it, to be sure. And while people may not "man up" in their posts, an anon option might provide them to provide a more honest interpretation while keeping their public ideology intact.

Originally posted by Skyfloating
We used to have an Anonymous feature (see Zorgons post) but it didnt work out well. Lots of spam.

So was there spam or was there not? If the posts had to be approved, how did this create spam?

I can't voice my opinions about things. I'm always off-topic here. Anon posting might just be my thing. Sort of like a debit card instead of a credit card.

Originally posted by beezzer
And while people may not "man up" in their posts, an anon option might provide them to provide a more honest interpretation while keeping their public ideology intact.

Dude, reread that. That's "honest"? That's what's wrong with the world today. Perception over substance. That's not honest. That's a cop out. This is just my opinion as a member. Just be "you".

Originally posted by intrepid

Originally posted by beezzer
And while people may not "man up" in their posts, an anon option might provide them to provide a more honest interpretation while keeping their public ideology intact.

Dude, reread that. That's "honest"? That's what's wrong with the world today. Perception over substance. That's not honest. That's a cop out. This is just my opinion as a member. Just be "you".

I may be willing to admit I'm wrong, you may be willing to admit you're wrong as well.

If everyone was as honest and frank with their opinions then we'd probably not need moderators.

People are not all honest though. Maybe, an option here would provide that.

I see people taking ATS maybe too seriously at times. I live here alot, and I have to remind myself that it is just a forum board for conspiracies and news, and NOT something that will impact my real world life.

Originally posted by apodictic

Originally posted by AdAstra

Originally posted by apodictic
I think it's a great idea. I see where the OP is coming from. I don't like GLPs set up where anyone can just go to the site and post.

I don't know what GLP is, but I don't see any reason why anyone, without an account, shouldn't post as they wish.
Like I said, this option already existed here at one time, and it produced some truly interesting posts.
And they had to be approved first, according to the general rules, so there was never any spamming.

Google it. You'd see why if you went there. That place is nuts. No one ever stays on topic, it's only a bunch of insults flying around.

Being approved first is a good idea, but that's a lot of extra work.

edit on 2-4-2012 by apodictic because: (no reason given)

I'll take your word for it (doesn't sound like a place I'd be interested in - and I don't use Google anymore ), but that only means they have no moderation in place.
I've seen it work here. It worked beautifully.

Maybe some of the spam, if there was spam coming in that had to be moderated, could be averted by one of those filters calibrated specifically to prevent spam.

Originally posted by AdAstra

I'll take your word for it (doesn't sound like a place I'd be interested in - and I don't use Google anymore

), but that only means they have no moderation in place.
I've seen it work here. It worked beautifully.

Maybe some of the spam, if there was spam coming in that had to be moderated, could be averted by one of those filters calibrated specifically to prevent spam.

That's true, there really is no moderation. In fact it got so bad at one point that some CIA dudes were at the admin's house looking through his trash and # because someone posted something threatening Obama. So therefore he blocked entire ISPs and if you even try to use a proxy it automatically detects it and you can't see the site.

Anyway, back on topic, I have to take your word for it since I obviously wasn't around when the anonymous posting was going on here. I just wouldn't want this site to turn into glp. But hey, if it worked, then it worked. I think a filter is a good idea too. I don't know about you but being a mod I'd get tired of approving hundreds and hundreds of posts per day.

Regardless of how it's done, it'd be cool to see that feature. Probably won't happen though because it had to have been taken off for a reason.

reply to post by beezzer


I agree it would be useful, this is exactly why I ditched my old account and stayed away for a while. Got to the point where even when I'd agree with them certain people would use previous conversations to attack, regardless of what I had said. Sometime I have an idea that seems to have merit that even I don't really like or agree with. Though they seem worth a discussion. Don't post them because I really don't feel like clicking through dozens of "TROLLER" comments. It would have to have a suffix or prefix to differentiate though Anon183h or what not.

Could be a giant pain in the backside, but IDK lol make a 2nd account.

If one is not willing to uphold their own beliefs against a "digital representation" of a person then all is lost, an anon posting option increased the insult factor by 100000%, and now there is no responsibility attached to whatever rants one wished to spew out.

With your name you get accountable for what you say or don't.
The internet is semi anonymous in that regard, sure you can change accounts and have multiple personalities, but that takes some energy some aren't willing to spend, when all the energy they have is spent on trolling.

so lets get this straight, the Op wants an anon option to either be "honest" or to "troll away" without being held accountable by its "bro´s" and its peers for the comments posted?

You need an anon option to say what you "really feel" without being judged and or ridiculed?

yeah its just what we need...

reply to post by beezzer

There are times when I feel compelled to answer in a certain way. How I feel vs what I think.

I do see your point. I am reminded of Frances McDormand's character's line in the film North Country, when she tells Charlize Theron's character, "you gotta get your 'gator skin on." Not trying to be smart here in any way, just saying "sticks and stones" and all that.

Also I am unclear on what you mean when you say there is a difference between how you feel and what you think. Is a conflict such as this not something you should reconcile in yourself before you post? Or am I misunderstanding your point here?

That would really just be the same as having a sock right?