by Traverse Legal, reviewed by Enrico Schaefer - February 4, 2007 - Uncategorized
Anonymous blogging is a fascinating obsession. It gives a voice to those who may only have ideas instead of credentials; and it protects those with credentials when sharing their ideas. That is what anonymous blogging is, its about writing what you feel, think, or believe without any danger of repercussion or accountability for those ideas.
The problem of putting your name to ideas that may carry unwanted repercussions, is not a new one arising before the writers of the world:
Denis Diderot (1713-1784), the publisher of the first Encyclopedia of the world, one of the great minds of the Enlightenment, was forced to work through the publishing of his 35 volume work in secrecy, in order to spread the ideals he shared with the other French Philosophes.
Voltaire (1694-1778), another Philosophe spreading the ideas of liberty and personal freedom in a France that was dangerous for both. He was one of the greatest philosophers the world has ever seen, and published Poem of the League (1723) anonymously from Geneva.
Edgar Allen Poe (1809-1849), one of the most famous American writers. Poe invigorated the mystery and horror genre for the world, and published his first book, Tamerlane and Other Poems (1827), anonymously.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), subscriber to the Enlightenment in Europe, writer of the American Declaration of Independence, President of the United States. Jefferson anonymously published a Summary View of the Rights of British America (1774) as instructions for the Virginia delegates to the First Continental Congress.
We anonymous writers do so to say what needs to be said at times when the ideas that we spread may not find safe harbor from our neighbors, friends and colleagues. Writers who choose to do so anonymously, realize their duty, but acquiesce to their responsibilities. We compromise by saying what needs to be said, while separating that idea and the author so as to protect our public livelihood and name.
This is why I stand in a long line of proud and accomplished anonymous authors. To say what needed to be said at a time when my doing so carried consequences I did not want to deal with.
As a founding partner of Traverse Legal, PLC, he has more than thirty years of experience as an attorney for both established companies and emerging start-ups. His extensive experience includes navigating technology law matters and complex litigation throughout the United States.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Enrico Schaefer, who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a practicing Business, IP, and Technology Law litigation attorney.
