Sir, – I think there is more to the “overwhelming urge to vilify and lambast” on the internet than “a search for the comfort of certainty in a painfully uncertain world”(Fionola Meredith, Opinion, March 20th).
In ordinary life in a democracy all citizens are responsible as individual human persons to their fellow citizens for their actions – ultimately through the legal system. Since much of the communication on the internet is anonymous, however, this responsibility can be reneged on.
Some people adopt multiple names on the internet and, if they have a mind to, they can use other people’s nom de plume with impunity.
The result is that accountability is forgotten, the arrogance of the mob takes over and anarchy reigns supreme.
The use of the internet to vilify is not a search for the comfort of certainty. An abuse of the power of anonymity it most certainly is. – Yours, etc,
ANTHONY LEAVY,
Shielmartin Drive,
Sutton, Dublin 13.