I am asking myself this question, and I think I might, but would like to get some ideas from others from the me2u community.Please note: comments will be restricted to the Me2U community, and will be accessible to the general public.Some people blog anonymously to share creative ideas, to debate and discuss contentious issues, while others share intimate experiences with an anonymous audience, and leave out any of the self-identifying details from posts.There are times when I would prefer to blog anonymously, without people knowing my personal identity. I enjoy posting to political forums, for example, where I recognize that people have specific ideas and are unafraid to let their emotions show through. You are protected in one sense, yet entirely unprotected by the possible feedback you are going to get. If you say something that is questionable, you can be ensured you will get feedback. The anonymous blogging space demands that you take responsibility for your statements. It requires you to not give in to the temptation to post ideas in the heat of battle. It requires you to pause, consider the flow of ideas, and take a step back. You need to ask if your ideas are unduly influenced by emotions. Sometimes you can see how riled up one gets as they get writing on a topic they have passionate opinions about. It is important to check one’s tone. Thus, anonymous blogging also requires you to handle others’ responses appropriately and maturely, selectively ignoring baiting and trolls’ unpleasant comments, or teasing, sarcasm, and character attacks. You also need to respond appropriately to hijackers, posters who misinterpret it and twist your ideas to suit their own agendas. You would also need to be prepared for your posts to be unread, ignored, or orphaned. You may experience cases where others’ read their own experiences into your situation, and judge you harshly based on insufficient data (jumping to conclusions, or projecting one’s issues onto the other).For these reasons, I prefer to engage in anonymous debate in a public forum with moderators on the sidelines barring participants who don’t play by the rules of fair play. I would resist participating at all in a state of complete transparency, with my personal identity known to all. Let’s face it: in the public arena the act of giving opinions is risky. Anonymous blogging is a kind of buffer, a means to protect personal identity. It is not, however, a venue that excuses nasty behaviour. Certain rules of conduct will have to be enforced, and participants will have to be reminded at times by moderators. In my experience, blogging in anonymous forums brings home how poorly people express their ideas. So many people post their ideas and argue based on ad hominem attacks, character assassination, emotional arguments, and a tone of arrogance and narrow-mindedness. I think, however, that this is precisely why an anonymous blog space in an educational setting is so potentially useful: it provides learners a space to incubate ideas, and build skills to argue effectively, and identify and address poor arguments.Anonymous blogging can prepare learners to interact in formal academic discourse, as well as in public discussions. By separating ideas from the identities of the posters/commenters, the audience focuses on learning ways to make sound arguments.In an educational setting, the anonymous setting may provide a venue for students to interact with their instructors and others without the obvious power difference in place. How a faculty member argues and presents ideas will differ, and yet the use of language and the ideas and arguments expressed will matter more, as their identities will be hidden. Their ideas will serve as excellent models for learners.Let me know what you think.Glenn Groulx