What do you think about anonymous users in an online community? What about lurkers?
As long as anonymous posters can follow community policies regarding posting and other types of participation I do not see the harm of participating anonymously or with a pseudonym. In terms of lurking, I do not think it really carries the negative connotation the name suggests. That may be because I tend to lurk myself; specifically with the LiveJournal community Oh No They Didn't!.
In my case, I am actually an unregistered lurker as I have no affiliation with the community aside from reading the freely accessible posts. Registered users of this community can post celebrity gossip/news as well as comment on others' posts. Most users operate under pseudonyms. Although I as an unregistered visitor cannot post or comment I not only enjoy catching up on the latest gossip but also reading community members' comments. The comments are actually the best & most entertaining aspect of the community. Perhaps if the community was small & sorely in need of members my invisible participation might be somewhat unfavorable. However, with 57,669 registered users I do not think my lurking makes any real difference.
Lurking is an art. You can get involved without involving yourself. Another option of the consumerism society we are living in. I think is a valid option. Observing the behavior of others online is like seating in a bench in Central Park New York watching people pass by.
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