True, Honest, Human Discourse vs. Dangerous Online Anonymity

Posted

To the Editor,

The upcoming vote on MBTA Zoning is an important one for our town. As we tackle this issue as a community, it’s important that we all carefully consider all of the facts before us and especially the sources they come from. In particular, I am concerned about anonymous sources and misinformation.
We live in an age of social media, which has drastically changed the communication landscape. Sure, a person posting anonymously on social media or on a website might be a concerned MBTS resident with sincere intentions trying to engage with the issue and still feel safe. It's scary and stressful to engage on these platforms. However, it could be possible that the anonymous person is just trying to stir up trouble.
How do we know this person doesn't live in another town, state, or even country? It could also be possible that the anonymous person is actually just a troll or a Russian bot. Of course, people, trolls, and bots can all post anonymously on the Internet and town Facebook page. It happened just recently.
It's up to each individual reading this to decide for themselves whether or not they trust these unknown entities or whether they trust their neighbors and fellow community members.
I know who I trust. I trust my fellow residents when I can put a face to a name. I know that even if we disagree, we can respect each other's opinions and engage in healthy dialogue based on facts and continue to live with respect side by side. Even if we disagree, we can show up, in person, to a forum, hearing, or a public meeting to learn and share our thoughts, opinions, and fears face-to-face to be a part of the dialogue.
Even if we disagree, we can respect the efforts of our elected town officials, volunteers, who are trying to find a way forward for this town so that we can keep our state grant money, protect the town's character, and create housing opportunities at different price points - something our town desperately needs. These elected officials answer to Ethics Laws, Open Meeting Laws, Freedom of Information Act and other standards that hold them accountable. They are the opposite of anonymous.
When we can trust each other and engage in a respectful, healthy dialogue, we can see each other around town and feel a sense of community, not tension. In my opinion, this is what has and will keep our democracy and our MBTS community strong.
Lindsay Banks
Manchester