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Washingtonpost.com Wants Identities of Posters

Posted by kdawson on from the solved-problem dept.

mytrip recommends a News.com account of a panel discussion in which the Washington Post's online executive editor Jim Brady argued against anonymity on his site. He's welcome to try to carve out a space for civilized discourse, but it seems that he can't help alienating the Net-savvy whenever he opens his mouth to speak of it. "... he would like to see a technology that could identify people who violate site standards — and if need be — automatically kick them off for good. ... Brady also lamented that closing user accounts doesn't keep bad eggs off a site. They just come back and create new ones ... Brady believes that in the next five years people will be required to identify themselves in some way at many sites. 'I don't know whether we do it with a credit card number, a driver's license or passport ...'"

10 of 336 comments (clear)

  1. Yeah, great by 77Punker · · Score: 4, Funny

    We all know that the best Slashdot comments come from anonymous cowards, right? This guy is nuts to require registration!

    1. Re:Yeah, great by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      I couldn't agree more!

    2. Re:Yeah, great by aurispector · · Score: 2, Funny

      I'd take that a step farther: everyone is required to wear a USB powered wrist strap that has a sensor to verify it is being worn (in the future it could incorporate on-the-fly DNA verification). The strap would be designed to administer an electric shock and would be controlled by other users. Users would earn "shock points" similar to mod points or diggs by posting things that are highly rated by other users. Shock points could be used in two ways: to shock other users for posting things you don't like or to nullify incoming shocks. Thus, people who indulge in asshaberdashery could be punished via shock, while good posters could store shock points to protect themselves from asshats. Additionally, you could save shock points to absorb punishment for the inevitable rant or bad posting.

      There, that was easy; I fixed the internet. Happy?

      --
      I have mod points. The reign of terror begins now.
  2. It can be done, easily by cjb658 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Just require people to come down to the Washington Post's office and deliver messages in person.

  3. It would make Slashdot polls scientific finally! by CrazyJim1 · · Score: 4, Funny

    One user = one login. It is the stuff of internet legend.

    --
    God spoke to me.
  4. No Problem by John+Hasler · · Score: 4, Funny

    He can simply require anyone who wants an account on his site to present themselves at his office with three pieces of photo ID and a completed application form. He can then interview them, check their references, and decide whether or not they are acceptable.

    --
    Warning: this article may contain humor, sarcasm, parody, and perhaps even irony. Read at your own risk.
  5. Re:Good for the gander by Vinegar+Joe · · Score: 5, Funny

    When did they stop making shit up?

    --
    "The average reporter we talk to is 27 years old......They literally know nothing." - Ben Rhodes
  6. Re:Good for the gander by amccaf1 · · Score: 4, Funny

    So I guess the Wapo won't be quoting anonymous sources anymore.


    Sure they will! But from now on everything will be attributed to "DeepThroat69".
    --
    "Flag on the moon. How did it get there?"
  7. Re:This guy is a NIGGER by zegota · · Score: 3, Funny

    Kind of insightful, actually, when you think about the topic.

  8. Survival of the fittest by Assembler · · Score: 3, Funny

    Why don't they just have two forums: one anonymous, and one that requires a dna sample. Let people use whichever they prefer.