Topics

More

Anonymous? I’m Not Crazy About That.

This week, Onward State will be implementing a pilot program to see how our website’s community would benefit from Facebook integration with our comment system. We have a hunch that asking our readers to use their Facebook accounts to comment on posts will bring forth a new dawn of accountability and thusly raise the level of discourse on our website. You’re still welcome–encouraged, even–to accuse Kevin Horne of being a virgin in our comment section, but know that now we’re going to “poke” you when you do.

Of course, we will concede that there are downsides to such a move… It’s disconcerting to give more of our freedoms and liberties over to Billion Dollar Zuck. Some of our most beloved/notorious commenters would likely argue the shroud of anonymity allows them to speak freely and candidly. To those dissenters, I would point you to the many other locations in the Penn State community you can deface anonymously—bathroom stalls in Willard, for instance.

We want Onward State to be an open forum for the Penn State community. We encourage participation and engagement from our readership, and we hope that increased accountability will lead to more thoughtful and substantive comments. At the end of this week (or, like, beginning of next week, I guess), we’ll reassess the comment system and decide whether it’s something we want to implement permanently, or whether we should continue to tinker around to make Onward State the best it can be.

Disagree with this move? Want to harken back to the Wild West commenting days of yore? Feel free to sound off in the comment section below (consequently, I will friend you and tag you in pictures of kittens playing) or submit a post for our community page.

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Dennis McNamara

Dennis McNamara is a senior studying International Relations. The product of a long and muddy Irish lineage, Dennis blames that sour heritage and his Boston area upbringing for the flaws in his character. The only paid writer for Onward State, Dennis has never been described as a team player as he often thinks of himself as “the smartest guy in the room.” In addition to contributing to Onward State, Dennis is also Creative Director for Full Ammo Improv. Dennis isn’t sure when he’s kidding either.

[Photo Story] Penn State vs. USC

With all that excitement, there’s no shortage of amazing photos to look at from this game.

Three-Star Defensive Back Josh Johnson Commits To Penn State Football

Johnson was previously committed to Louisville.

Penn State Issues Statement Regarding ‘Online Vitriol’

The university also offered resources for students experiencing harrassment.

113kFollowers
164kFollowers
61.3kFollowers
4,570Subscribers