Anonymous/Burner Accounts and CD Etiquette

[unpopularideas]

Originally Posted by SamcFuchs

I can see where you're coming from, but personally, I support the use of throwaways. I can understand someone wanting to contribute to the conversation, but wanting to keep their opinion separate from the rest of their reputation in the robotics community.

I'll give an example. I'm gay. If, say, Karthik were homophobic, that would really suck. I can't support that. However, if Karthik wants to add his (hypothetically homophobic) opinion to a conversation about the representation of LGBT teenagers in FIRST, shouldn't he be able to do so without running the risk of ruining his reputation as a brilliant strategist and analyst? Would CD look at him in the same way if he held such an unpopular opinion?

Using a throwaway allows people (anyone) to contribute to a conversation without putting their reputation on the line. If someone holds an unpopular decision, that could change the way they are perceived forever, and that's not a risk anyone should have to take. Controversial opinions are vital to a healthy discussion of any topic, and throwaways allow people to contribute them.

IMHO.

The issue here is that generally CD has a very specific socio-political view, of not wanting to hurt anyone's feelings. Is this what Gracious Professionalism is? Is the idea that your personal opinions regarding a matter are negative just because they don't agree with CD's Norm? That is why I use a burner account, I want to voice my opinion, but not have people openly disregarding all of my opinions due to one opinion they disagree with.