Here's a reason to be anonymous: I want to filter my
own information. From comp.risks:
Date: Mon, 18 Oct 1999 13:08:04 +0100 (BST)
From: Lindsay.Marshall@newcastle.ac.uk
Subject: IP blocking
This was brought to the attention of readers cam-list recently:
"For a month or so earlier this year, DoubleClick Inc., an Internet
advertising firm based in New York, furtively put up three different
editions of its home page. Most visitors saw one version, highlighting
the
firm's accomplishments. Employees of a rival firm could see only
another
version, with a special press release touting DoubleClick's capture of
one
of the rival's customers. Clients being wooed saw only a third
version."
Yes, DoubleClick has a right to release different information
(and even spins) to different people. But I want to know
when I'm being spun.
That is, if I don't know what the information provider knows
about me, then I don't know of what target audience I am considered
a member.
If I am anonymous, then I know I must be getting "generic"
information.
If I can control the release of (parts of) my identity, I can
negotiate with the information provider to get certain types of
information. But I will know the basis of this negotiation.
-- Joshua Tauber, November 4, 1999