Online WOW Anonymity Lets Gamers Behave Badly
A row is erupting after Blizzard announced that users on its site forums would have to post under their real names. Should your online identity be anonymous?
Just as the real world has complex rules that define our behaviour towards one another, there are rules for online interaction too. The most famous is probably Godwin's Law: "As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving the Nazis or Hitler approaches 1." But another, by web comic artist John Gabriel, is gaining ground; it simply states the following: Normal Person + Anonymity + Audience = Idiot*. Or in longhand, give the average human the opportunity to express themselves online anonymously and without fear of retribution, and they'll behave rudely, viciously and inappropriately.
This "Greater Internet Idiot Theory" -or something incredibly similar to it was undoubtedly in the minds of executives at Blizzard. when they decided to use real name system in their forums last week, many people began to rant aggressively at strangers over the imminent loss of the opportunity to rant aggressively at strangers, but there was a more measured but equally deafening reaction from those who simply valued their anonymity-or at least their pseudonymity. If you've played World of Warcraft you'll know it's not the most restrained social arena and the prospect of online altercations spilling over into the real world scared many people.
Female players were particularly concerned, because revealing their gender could invite unwanted attention from men. Some respondents during the ensuing 2,000-page discussion on this topic dared to suggest that privacy wasn't really an issue, but they were forced to eat their words when a Blizzard employee, after
revealing his real name in defence of the system, suddenly found his phone number, address, details of his parents, siblings and spouse, and even pictures of his childhood home posted online by Warcrafters trying to make a point.
Some people do hide behind their WOW anonymity to behave utterley obnoxiously online, if they chose to communicate like that in real life, they would be diagnosed with a personality disorder. They know there will be no consequences, no need to display courage with their convictions and so they hey take delight in pushing things as far as they can. Whilst I believe that people should always have to take responsibility for their actions.
On the whole I think WOW anonymity lets gamers behave badly.
About WGT Online:
WGT Online(
http://www.wow-gold-team.com) is a specialized online video game service supplier. They provide wow gold, Aion kinah, wow power leveling, Aion power leveling and other online gold. Their goal is to try their best to assist their fellow online gamers, to create a more enjoyable gaming experience.
