Despise. Anonymity.

“Hola! This is Ho Kit Yen. Currently doing an internship. I define myself as an annoying prick. And I don’t really see things the way most people see them. I tend to go against the way things normally work. I find degrading expressions  intolerable.”

That’s a simple description about me. I am the same person, be it online or offline. (Most of the time) Vocally harsh, yet a helpful person when help is needed.

The reason I am writing this is to voice out against the unknowns over the cyberspace who use an anonymous identity to troll me.

I mean, what is the point?

UrbanDictionary.com defines a troll as “one who posts a deliberately provocative message to a newsgroup or message board with the intention of causing maximum disruption and argument.”

I hate it when someone uses an anonymous identity to troll me.

Here’s a thought: If one wanted to express opinions (radically), please speak through your true self. DON’T hide under the ‘mask’ the Internet provides for you. Say, if that anonymous person is a male, I’ll assume he’s gutless.

My philosophy is that “humans are fully entitled to speech.” Whatever said to another person publicly, he or she should take full responsibility towards it. Assuming that a speech is derogatory to a party, he or she should be responsible to it and give reasonable justifications.

Article 10 of Federal Constitution states that “every citizen has the right to freedom of speech and expression”.

One can express their views and opinions under this Article, promised in black and white through the highest order in Malaysia.

There is a limit to this freedom of expression, however. Section 499 of the Penal Code and Defamation Act 1957 limits the scope of free speech in Malaysia.

The punishment for making slanderous or libellous statements can send one to jail term or subject them to fine, or both.

There is freedom, and there are also restrictions. Critical opinions are always welcomed as they can drive change. These opinions turn ugly when the words used attack one’s personality by accusing one of being such awful things as being a fraud, dishonest, daft, and so on.

The person being bullied can take legal action if any statements made against him or her are false and negatively impacts his or her reputation in society.

But back to anonymous trolls on the internet.

Since I am working as an intern nowadays, I am busy during office hours, and when I get home atnight I am exhausted. I do tweet random stuff, but less now compared to before, and I’m just not in the mood for replying to (probable) trolls.

Come on, I am just ranting online after a day of work.

Does feigning ignorance lead to bliss? Yes. In dealing trolls, you need adopt the yeah-whatever-I-don’t-give-a-damn attitude. After all, you have the freedom to say what you want. And I have the choice of turning a deaf ear to trolls.

P.S. — Who wants to hide behind the computer screen and condemn this writer? As usual, she will pretend not to see any negative remarks.

 

Featured image from AP