This document discusses free speech and online identity. It begins by outlining the First Amendment protection of free speech. It then considers whether anonymous speech is necessary for free speech. Next, it compares Google's identity verification method to the draft specification from Aestetix, which focuses on pseudonyms and multiple names. The document notes challenges with using real names online and proposes alternatives. It promotes the NymRights organization and their projects around digital identity and individual control over personal information.

1. Aestetix - Dragoncon August 2013
An exploration of identity
NymRights

2. Free Speech
✤ First Amendment:
✤ Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the
freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people
peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a
redress of grievances.

3. Free Speech
✤ First Amendment:
✤ Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the
freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people
peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a
redress of grievances.

4. Free Speech

5. Attribution
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/2d/bb/c5/bruegel-s-peasant.jpg
http://musingsofamediastudent.wordpress.com/2011/06/

6. Attribution
✤ Does free speech necessitate anonymous speech?
✤ McIntyre vs Ohio Elections Commission (1995)

7. Bringing Identity Online
✤ Google’s Method:

8. Challenges with “real”
✤ Negative implications
✤ Lack of agency
✤ Easily substituted with
better alternatives
✤ Where does this concept come from, anyways?
http://www.shescribes.com/2011/07/i-cant-believe-its-not-butter-toast-tweet-100-giveaway.html

9. Bringing Identity Online
✤ aestetix’s Method (draft spec):

10. ✤ Pseudonym - a name often used to hide a base name
✤ Polynym - a name consisting of multiple words or symbols
✤ Mononym - a name consisting of one word or symbol
✤ Autonym - a name bestowed upon oneself
✤ Anonym - a name representing anonymity
So, what’s a “nym”?

11. What can I do?
✤ NymRights “Suspended!” project

12. What can I do?
✤ NymRights/MIT project: Omnividual.com
✤ A “nym-friendly” identity provider?

13. ✤ Join NymRights! (www.nymrights.org)
✤ Anyone can be an IDESG/NSTIC member!
What can I do?

14. Questions?
✤ @aestetix