'Anonymous Coward' is the default screen name for any person that leaves a comment without signing in at the very popular tech news site, Slashdot.org. And perhaps that clever moniker of the site creators is an accurate one? Certainly, it has something to it.
In the age when Islam is a hot (and I mean, sizzling!) topic, many Muslims have turned to blogging and social networking and media to get their voice heard online. With these great Muslim sites comes the not so great comments left by Islamophobes and hate-mongers. Usually their notes are anonymous which could indicate that they know they are wrong on some level and don't want to get called on it. Shameful, really.
Tim Ferriss, author of Four Hour Work Week, gives us insight about dealing with the humorously named 'anonymous cowards' in 7 Great Principles for Dealing with Haters. Two of which are posted below.
Ferriss shares in number 2 of the list, "10% of people will find a way to take anything personally. Expect it." and goes on to elaborate that writers should not react to things that don't warrant a response.
In number 4 he goes on to say, "the bigger your impact and the larger the ambition and scale of your project, the more negativity you’ll encounter".
Those two gems of advice from Ferriss sound like a slice of Islamic teaching. Just look at the story of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. He, undoubtedly, had hordes of haters beginning with his announcement of Prophethood, and we know how well he handled them.
Muslims must always be tactful, courteous, and honorable, even in their dealings with The Anonymous online.
For a list of Muslim bloggers and social networking sites, for the Ann Arbor locality and nationwide, check out Muslim Equivalents to Myspace, Youtube, Twitter and more.
Enjoy!
