R: Abolish anonymous speech

Thursday, March 28th at 7.30pm

The development of the Internet in the twentieth century allowed for the immediate exchange of ideas on an unprecedented scale. For better or worse, information can arrive at our work-desks with the click of a mouse. Similarly, we now have the power to create and publish content as well as contact friends and strangers with incredible ease and anonymity. This anonymity is easily abused. From the harassment of witnesses in criminal trials to the questionable cyber-attacks carried out by Anonymous, online anonymity is a potential tool for doing evil and getting away with it. Of course, the internet is not the only medium for anonymous speech. Founders Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay published the Federalist Papers under the pseudonym "Publius". What is the end goal of free speech, and should it exist apart from the burden of responsibility and reputation? Come share your thoughts with us (publicly) this Thursday evening in the Berkeley Mendenhall Room.