This

Blogging anonymously is like playing a video game in “God Mode.” It’s blogging without risk or consequences. Without accountability, the anonymous blogger can present whatever version of the truth he/she wishes without risk. I’m guessing that anonymity gives those people some level of comfort and safety to “speak their mind” that they wouldn’t feel otherwise. However, blogging isn’t only about being comfortable…it’s about being real and authentic.

I’ve been in more than one verbal jousting match over the years about whether online anonymity is valuable or not. Without fail I’ve come down on the side of saying that unless there’s a legitimate fear for your life have the courage to put your name on what you write or otherwise produce. I put no trust in something that’s written by someone hiding their name since it means I can’t suss out what their agenda, be it positive or negative, might be. 

I’m proud of the fact that, with one situational exception, I’ve put my real name on everything I’ve written since I started writing online upwards of eight years ago. The one exception to that rule was my time at MarketingVox, where author names weren’t published. If I had the capability, though, to republish that material under my name I’d gladly do so without a moment’s hesitation. 

If you feel otherwise I’m going to, as the title of this post states, assume you are coward with an agenda that you’d like to keep hidden. If you’re trying to expose some great injustice, file it with the right authorities or find someone who will tell your story. Hiding behind a pseudonym or going completely anonymous means you’re trying to avoid the consequences of your actions, in which case you need to question the actions you’re taking in the first place.