Design for Familiar Anonymity
Artful Design Reflection #7
“ In an age of computers, …, people are not necessarily aware of all the familiar strangers in their lives, (e.g. “friends” in world of warcraft). You don’t know them in person, but you operate in the same time and (virtual) space. It is a sign of our times, poised only to intensify. It is a powerful dynamic, the design of which invariably leaves us affected, for better or for worse”
— Artful Design Chapter 7
I have friends who develops really close friendship with his gaming friends. They’ve never seen each other in person. Their friendship is not the slightest utilitarian. For example, when he runs into problems in real life, he would never ask these virtual friends for help. However, he seems to bond with them better than most of his real-life acquaintances. They understand him better because they have experienced important events (in game) together.
I have always had conflicted views towards this familiar stranger relationship.
On the one hand, a lot of people are lonely in real life. Internet allows people to find spaces filled with people with similar world views like theirs, or views they are interested in exploring. Thanks to anonymity, people don’t have to pretend. They can say what they think and can be themselves. They can hang out at ease.
On the other hand, the increasingly addicting social media “drug” as well as these virtual spaces are in some way causing the loneliness. People hang out with their digital devices more. There’s less in person interactions.
There is also ethical issues coming with anonymity. There is no accountability online. You don’t have to be responsible for what you say. People can hurt each other with simple typing. The hurt is done. The victim cries in the dark. But it’s hard to find who to blame.
As a designer for online platforms, I not only need to think about what the functionaries are, but also what the potential implications might be.
How to care for the users’ emotions when you don’t know who they are, where they are from, and how they are feeling?
How to engage users without making them addicted?
How to protect the stranger relationship to bring warmth to lonely souls but not irresponsible damages?
After all, the familiar stranger relationship is fragile, like anything else. There needs to be careful design to protect the relationship, not to abuse it.