Devaluing anonymous political feedback
I was talking to Robert Winters this week at the Citizen Media Unconference and he mentioned talking to someone on the Cambridge (MA) school board who just tossed any anonymous messages about school board issues.
He admitted that he devalues any anonymous message. What if it’s from a political shill? Yes, but what if it’s from someone who feels chilling effects against expression?
Since I started working for Tor I’ve heard lots of stories about chilling effects. I can imagine a dozen reasons for people to want to give anonymous feedback to the school board. What if it gets back to my kid’s teacher and impacts her treatment? What if I have a contract with the city? What if I am involved in a private school, but my kid attends public schools — but if I comment, it could be taken to be sniping because of my job?
But even devaluing the feedback is better than tossing it. Go figure — the calculation still works. A political shill giving illegitimate feedback has their feedback devalued, which minimizes damage. But the chilled response gets heard, at least a little, which is better than if that person had never spoken out at all.
Ideally, as trust is built, perhaps the formerly chilled person will contact the school board member in person and say, “I sent you that anonymous message about [this issue], and I want to tell you, I’m glad I did because you did something about it.” It could help build the fabric of participation by allowing a trust-building phase.
Of course, this works for folks like Robert Winters, who would read but devalue the message, but not for the school board member using the round file.
gicu
August 11, 2007 @ 8:53 pm
http://msdonline.ro
Линукс
January 13, 2008 @ 11:24 pm
I was talking to Robert Winters this week at the Citizen Media Unconference and he mentioned talking to someone on the Cambridge (MA) school board who just tossed any anonymous messages about school board issues.
прокси чекер
January 13, 2008 @ 11:26 pm
Ideally, as trust is built, perhaps the formerly chilled person will contact the school board member in person and say, “I sent you that anonymous message about [this issue], and I want to tell you, I’m glad I did because you did something about it.” It could help build the fabric of participation by allowing a trust-building phase.
Sanyo
February 12, 2009 @ 12:54 pm
He admitted that he devalues any anonymous message. What if it’s from a political shill? Yes, but what if it’s from someone who feels chilling effects against expression?
erken rezervasyon
May 22, 2009 @ 4:17 pm
thank you master very nice comp We hope this year will end the economic crisis
v3n
April 11, 2010 @ 9:24 am
Thank you, anonymous.
istanbul otelleri
May 28, 2010 @ 5:36 pm
Hi, I hope it’s good for my writing assignments, if I get a note if I do not repeat here
Cabinets
September 1, 2010 @ 11:16 pm
There is a lot of great information here.
ugg киев купить, купить уги
October 1, 2010 @ 6:54 am
if I get a note if I do not repeat here
киев проститутки
October 1, 2010 @ 6:55 am
I agree that some things probably could be done differently and to greater effect
ukraine callgirl
October 1, 2010 @ 6:55 am
I had trouble finding this information on the Internet!
секс знакомства киева
October 1, 2010 @ 6:57 am
I would like to appreciate the great work done by You
интернет магазин женской одежды, ugg киев купить
October 1, 2010 @ 6:58 am
Very right information
AC
October 14, 2010 @ 4:02 am
Really usefull info.Thanks!!!
lys puan hesaplama
October 30, 2010 @ 8:51 am
I agree with you, thanks, good article.
toner dolum
November 11, 2011 @ 9:10 am
I agree with you, Thank you for follwings.
carpet cleaner reviews
December 13, 2011 @ 7:13 pm
dogs sucks
bulgarian attorney
January 3, 2012 @ 1:10 am
What if it’s from a political shill? Yes, but what if it’s from someone who feels chilling effects against expression?
Thanks and keep doing this good work!
gcse
January 8, 2012 @ 11:00 am
You make a good point about the feedback getting back to the teachers at school.
jonipopi
September 27, 2012 @ 4:35 pm
It’s a complicated topic but you did it well.
Window Tinting Brisbane
December 22, 2012 @ 3:38 am
The value of anonymous feedback continues to fall as spiteful social media comment increases
Car Tinting Brisbane
December 22, 2012 @ 3:40 am
Just because a comment is anonymous doesen’t necessarily mean it is untrue
Ivto
January 12, 2013 @ 1:54 am
Great post, tnx for the article!