Comments on: Anonymity http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/06/12/anonymity/ Kirkland's Blog for News and views on life in the City of Kirkland, Washington Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:20:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Downtown Condo Dweller http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/06/12/anonymity/#comment-374 Downtown Condo Dweller Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:33:08 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=169#comment-374 For a very interesting article and discussion on this topic you can read this post on the CrossCut site http://www.crosscut.com/media/15407/ both pro and con comments follow the post. I think anonymous postings can be useful in allowing for open discussion without fear of reprisals, but unfortunately as with so many things some people abuse the opportunity. For a very interesting article and discussion on this topic you can read this post on the CrossCut site http://www.crosscut.com/media/15407/ both pro and con comments follow the post.

I think anonymous postings can be useful in allowing for open discussion without fear of reprisals, but unfortunately as with so many things some people abuse the opportunity.

]]> By: Wonderer http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/06/12/anonymity/#comment-252 Wonderer Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:57:23 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=169#comment-252 O.K. I hope this is a safe haven as Rob has said. I am not of the stripe of those who have posted so far. I am a single mother in Juanita and the issues I care about are the environment and limiting development of hi rise condos. When I give my opinions it is usually to friends and I agree that we may seem to see things alike. I am aware that many people on this blog do not have the same values as I have. I will not participate here if it is negative. So far it has not seemed to be so except for one person. The goal of the author is good because greater understanding in the world can only lead to good things. I will choose to remain anonymous if you don't mind. O.K. I hope this is a safe haven as Rob has said. I am not of the stripe of those who have posted so far. I am a single mother in Juanita and the issues I care about are the environment and limiting development of hi rise condos. When I give my opinions it is usually to friends and I agree that we may seem to see things alike. I am aware that many people on this blog do not have the same values as I have. I will not participate here if it is negative. So far it has not seemed to be so except for one person. The goal of the author is good because greater understanding in the world can only lead to good things. I will choose to remain anonymous if you don’t mind.

]]> By: murph http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/06/12/anonymity/#comment-236 murph Mon, 16 Jun 2008 22:17:37 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=169#comment-236 Quoting Rob Butcher " My hope is that Kirkland Views is a safe haven for people of every stripe to express their views and as a result, we will all gain a better understanding of the issues." I agree and look forward to reading and considering views from all sides as long as they are rational, civil and reasonably well thought out. I genuintely hope this forum attracts people from all points of view as these debates continue. The City will be better for it. I have not spoken at any of the hearings, but have emailed my opinions and suggestions to the appropriate parties. Quoting Rob Butcher ” My hope is that Kirkland Views is a safe haven for people of every stripe to express their views and as a result, we will all gain a better understanding of the issues.”

I agree and look forward to reading and considering views from all sides as long as they are rational, civil and reasonably well thought out. I genuintely hope this forum attracts people from all points of view as these debates continue. The City will be better for it.

I have not spoken at any of the hearings, but have emailed my opinions and suggestions to the appropriate parties.

]]> By: Rob Butcher http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/06/12/anonymity/#comment-233 Rob Butcher Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:52:26 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=169#comment-233 Do the math: I think you may be on to something with regard to the way people respond to their strongly held beliefs. That is one of the primary reasons I created this blog. My hope is that Kirkland Views is a safe haven for people of every stripe to express their views and as a result, we will all gain a better understanding of the issues. I have found that people tend to only watch/listen/read the news/commentary/opinion pieces with which they agree. This may just be human nature, I really don't know, but the result is this: people get entrenched in their beliefs and they often lose the perspective that open debate and a free flow of alternative ideas engenders. When one surrounds oneself with like-minded individuals, guess what happens? Everyone tends to agree with each other! Oustside opinions and views tend not to be considered "mainstream" and a sort of Balkanization of our community takes place. This kind of "group think" is exactly what Kirkland Views is attempting to prevent. We promote the dissemination of ideas and the sharing of views. It is a very good thing when a community communicates in this manner and as a result everyone gains a better understanding of the issues. Consensus on major issues becomes more possible when we are open to the views of others. We have attempted to create an open, fair and even-handed forum in which people of all stripes may communicate. We encourage the civil discussion and debate that we need in this community. In an earlier era, people gathered around the Town Square to discuss issues. Today we use the internet. Personally, I have gained a much greater understanding of the issues just by participating on these pages. I hope the same is true for you. Thank you to all for your participation, and I look forward to reading more of your thoughts in the future. Do the math: I think you may be on to something with regard to the way people respond to their strongly held beliefs. That is one of the primary reasons I created this blog. My hope is that Kirkland Views is a safe haven for people of every stripe to express their views and as a result, we will all gain a better understanding of the issues.

I have found that people tend to only watch/listen/read the news/commentary/opinion pieces with which they agree. This may just be human nature, I really don’t know, but the result is this: people get entrenched in their beliefs and they often lose the perspective that open debate and a free flow of alternative ideas engenders. When one surrounds oneself with like-minded individuals, guess what happens? Everyone tends to agree with each other! Oustside opinions and views tend not to be considered “mainstream” and a sort of Balkanization of our community takes place.

This kind of “group think” is exactly what Kirkland Views is attempting to prevent. We promote the dissemination of ideas and the sharing of views. It is a very good thing when a community communicates in this manner and as a result everyone gains a better understanding of the issues. Consensus on major issues becomes more possible when we are open to the views of others.

We have attempted to create an open, fair and even-handed forum in which people of all stripes may communicate. We encourage the civil discussion and debate that we need in this community. In an earlier era, people gathered around the Town Square to discuss issues. Today we use the internet. Personally, I have gained a much greater understanding of the issues just by participating on these pages. I hope the same is true for you. Thank you to all for your participation, and I look forward to reading more of your thoughts in the future.

]]> By: do the math http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/06/12/anonymity/#comment-223 do the math Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:12:25 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=169#comment-223 So many people are so hot-headed about these issues, and frequently I get the impression that people can not put aside their beliefs on development, the same as red state/blue state. So as a small business owner, I end up reticent to associate my livelihood with my opinion, on fears that people can not separate emotions on these issues and that I may end up with lost sales. So many people are so hot-headed about these issues, and frequently I get the impression that people can not put aside their beliefs on development, the same as red state/blue state. So as a small business owner, I end up reticent to associate my livelihood with my opinion, on fears that people can not separate emotions on these issues and that I may end up with lost sales.

]]> By: Jenny Zappala http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/06/12/anonymity/#comment-202 Jenny Zappala Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:44:37 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=169#comment-202 To add to the conversation, As a working journalist, I wanted to add that the Society of Professional Journalists addresses anonymous sources and a journalist's responsibility to be fair, accurate and accountable in the SPJ Code of Ethics. ((http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp)) Many Society of Professional Journalists' members and some journalists honor the code and keep a copy at their desks. Bloggers are welcome to adopt the code too. Also, most newsrooms and journalists I've met have a written company policy. ....... Based on my personal experience in newsrooms and at training seminars, anonymous and confidential agreements are reached when the anonymous source is critical to reporting news of significant public benefit, there is a serious threat to the source's life, family, job or health if their identity is revealed AND there is no other way to get the information. (Sometimes stories start from an anonymous source and then reporters find "on-the-record" sources to replace the anonymous source.) Some newsrooms set a higher bar, a lower bar or refuse to use anonymous sources at all. If a newsroom runs an anonymous source story, the newsoom assumes responsibility for the credibility, accuracy and fairness of the information. The public can (and often does) hold the newsroom accountable. ........ If you have questions about a specific incident or newsroom, I can't help. Maybe you can contact the specific newsroom directly. I just wanted to let you know -- the tradition, the code of ethics and the newsroom company policies exist. Whether people follow them, well, that's another matter. I hope this helps, Jenny Z, writer, journalist and SPJ member To add to the conversation,
As a working journalist, I wanted to add that the Society of Professional Journalists addresses anonymous sources and a journalist’s responsibility to be fair, accurate and accountable in the SPJ Code of Ethics. ((http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp)) Many Society of Professional Journalists’ members and some journalists honor the code and keep a copy at their desks. Bloggers are welcome to adopt the code too. Also, most newsrooms and journalists I’ve met have a written company policy. ……. Based on my personal experience in newsrooms and at training seminars, anonymous and confidential agreements are reached when the anonymous source is critical to reporting news of significant public benefit, there is a serious threat to the source’s life, family, job or health if their identity is revealed AND there is no other way to get the information. (Sometimes stories start from an anonymous source and then reporters find “on-the-record” sources to replace the anonymous source.) Some newsrooms set a higher bar, a lower bar or refuse to use anonymous sources at all. If a newsroom runs an anonymous source story, the newsoom assumes responsibility for the credibility, accuracy and fairness of the information. The public can (and often does) hold the newsroom accountable. …….. If you have questions about a specific incident or newsroom, I can’t help. Maybe you can contact the specific newsroom directly. I just wanted to let you know — the tradition, the code of ethics and the newsroom company policies exist. Whether people follow them, well, that’s another matter. I hope this helps, Jenny Z, writer, journalist and SPJ member

]]> By: Jillie http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/06/12/anonymity/#comment-201 Jillie Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:36:56 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=169#comment-201 Is that the Hooded Craw???? I loved that show as a kid. What was it called? I guess you can call me anonymous and I am fine with that. I don't think I want my real name out on the net. I think that being anonymous is good because it gives me the freedom to say exactly what I think and not be looking over my shoulder everytime somebody else says I'm wrong. Is that the Hooded Craw???? I loved that show as a kid. What was it called?
I guess you can call me anonymous and I am fine with that. I don’t think I want my real name out on the net. I think that being anonymous is good because it gives me the freedom to say exactly what I think and not be looking over my shoulder everytime somebody else says I’m wrong.

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