The Activist Registration Act is a 2 part article. I wrote it to explain the relevance and importance of anonymity to freedom of speech. Part 1 explains why transparency doesn't necessarily add value and Part 2 highlights the danger of losing anonymity - our shield against corporate and government incursions into our lives.
Part 1 gives you a brief history of the anonymity and explains why transparency doesn't necessarily adds value. Among other things.
If you support a person’s right to free speech, you can’t say “Oh, but certain things can only be said when you use your real name”. Freedom of speech is not a buffet where you get to pick and choose. Either you believe in it unequivocally or you don’t. Therefore, it doesn’t make sense that some proponents of free speech would support the latter but cull the former.
Full article here: http://www.singaporesucks.net/2012/05/ara-part-1/
Part 2 explains what "tyranny of the majority" is all about and why things like names shouldn't matter to activists.
All around the civilised world, individual activists and NGOs, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation, recognise the value of Anonymity and its relation to Freedom of Speech. They see any attempts by governments or corporations to remove this shield, this protection from government and corporate incursions, as an affront to basic human rights. And they will fight the impositions, not embrace them.
Full article here: http://www.singaporesucks.net/2012/05/ara-part-2/
Part 1 gives you a brief history of the anonymity and explains why transparency doesn't necessarily adds value. Among other things.
If you support a person’s right to free speech, you can’t say “Oh, but certain things can only be said when you use your real name”. Freedom of speech is not a buffet where you get to pick and choose. Either you believe in it unequivocally or you don’t. Therefore, it doesn’t make sense that some proponents of free speech would support the latter but cull the former.
Full article here: http://www.singaporesucks.net/2012/05/ara-part-1/
Part 2 explains what "tyranny of the majority" is all about and why things like names shouldn't matter to activists.
All around the civilised world, individual activists and NGOs, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation, recognise the value of Anonymity and its relation to Freedom of Speech. They see any attempts by governments or corporations to remove this shield, this protection from government and corporate incursions, as an affront to basic human rights. And they will fight the impositions, not embrace them.
Full article here: http://www.singaporesucks.net/2012/05/ara-part-2/
