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The liberation of marginalised users and the birth of pseudonymity in online culture

Author: Mark Dery (1994)

Abstract: Dery uses a short analysis to deconstruct the changes in culture that can be expected through the growth of online communication. He particularly illustrates the effects of invented personalities that online communication affords users.

Dery illustrates the change in culture using examples of 'vitriolic online exchanges and tongue lashings' (p. 1) ­ called flaming in electronic communication. He argues that growth in flaming has been a product of the anonymity offered online, with people using the internet as a means of tension release and as a medium to voice disapproval of aspects of contemporary culture. "Sometimes pseudonymous combatants tend to feel that they can hurl insults with impunity" (p. 1).

But online anonymity which gives rise to flaming is also the cornerstone of a much more important cultural change, argues Dery. In everyday communication, truth and credibility is decided by body language, vocal tools such as pitch, tempo, volume, stress and eye contact. Online communication can rely only on what is said.

This gives rise to what Dery (p. 3) describes as "a postmulticultural vision of identity disengaged from gender, ethnicity and other problematic constructions". Identity online is based only on what you say and what you are prepared to reveal. Language does not mark people as ethnic, old, overweight, uneducated or unpopular. For those who feel marginalised, the internet becomes a liberating medium.

This is where pseudonymous behaviour is born, says Dery. People invent personalities and identities, merging fact and fiction and turning themselves into online characters they aspire to in real life. The interesting point is that Dery believes the internet will become a liberating medium for those feeling marginalised. It may be that designers face a battle reconciling a target market who, on one hand, demand anonymity and privacy, but on the other hand require a personalised and individual service from the internet.