A lot of people have anonymously or privately appreciated it but honestly that doesn’t mean much. Lasting professional consequences, well yeah, I get it, I’m from Canada. There are going to be costs, even in Utah. At some point you have to decide what it’s worth to you.
I guess I don’t know these essays. The ones on Public Square? And you’re probably right, but even if there were hundred good pseudonymous articles I’d rather have just one with a name.
I have been vocal about hot-button issues for years, and while it has come with costs, I wouldn’t say it has made me a socioeconomic untouchable.
Interesting point, but while we stopped gathering to Utah and wouldn’t want everyone to move there, members are allowed to move to Utah and do all the time. If you would be more employable in Utah, by all means move there, imo.
Yeah I know. Some church critics used false names too.
The federalist papers would be a more relevant example for us if the quality of anonymous discourse on church twitter were a lot higher.
Maybe you're not convinced, but imo do take Elder Cook's devo seriously, go ruminate on it. Maybe there is some deep wisdom in your decision to be anon online, but on the other hand, maybe not and this devo from EQLC is your sign to let it go and it'll be OK. 8/8
Elder Cook notes that the mob that tarred and feathered Joseph Smith covered their faces with soot, but also that JS still recognized some of them the next day. Often anonymity leads someone to do something regrettable but then doesn't even protect them in the end. 7/
Elder Cook refers to anonymity but also to "false identities". Sometimes people distinguish between anonymity and pseudonymity in response to counsel on this, but he includes pseudonymous identities in his discussion. His issue is with concealing real identity. 6/
Obviously mostly the second--was it so bad? Elder Cook brings up our missionaries, who go around preaching an unpopular religion with their names on their chests. Social constraints put a price on most everything we say, but that price also disciplines us, makes us canny. 5/
Suppose the internet didn't exist or we stopped using it. Or just think back to what life was like pre-internet. Did we assume false identities, or did we figure out ways to communicate within the constraints inherent to living and having a name in a human society? 4/
People note they are anonymous online to avoid losing jobs or relationships over sincere but unpopular/taboo views. I get it, honestly, but this would apply to any speech: you could similarly justify wearing a mask to say the same things in person. 3/
Elder Cook twice makes this point that using false identities is not new, the internet just makes it easier. The examples he gives come from real life rather than the internet. It's worth questioning why anonymity would be bad and antisocial in person but OK online. 2/
Bit of a touchy subject, but I think members should take this seriously. The church has made a point of bringing it up repeatedly. Elder Cook has been beating this drum since 2012. Yesterday's video is here: newsroom.churchofjesuschrist…
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Your initial comment made it sound like Yglesias thought she was “the” electable candidate, when he was in fact criticizing others for seeing it that way.
If you’re actually trying to figure out what happened, it started as a backlash to a wave of Punjabi immigration in Canada, which is why the slurs are based on Punjabi names. Got transposed to Hindi-speaking immigrants to the US.