Anonymity on the Internet has led to an explosion of uncensored information. It helped expose corporate secrets and human rights abuses under repressive regimes.
It has also, however, turned much of the Internet into the online equivalent of a room of bullying high schoolers, where malicious accusations and petty grievances are the norm. Unvarnished, a new Web site that purports to "be an online resource for building, managing, and researching professional reputation," feeds off the worst of these online trends.
The basic idea is to allow site users to anonymously review the professional abilities and conduct of their colleagues. The reviewees can respond to reviews they deem unfair. "Community guidelines" and a rating system, the site claims, will keep everything aboveboard.
That's unlikely. The temptation to trash rivals and reward friends will be a more powerful force than "community standards." And the site addresses a problem that may not exist. Diligent employers and job recruiters tend to have little trouble getting honest feedback about prospective employees.
There's a time and a place for anonymous feedback. Sites like ratemyprofessor.com level the playing field in situations where honest information is hard to come by.
Unvarnished, on the other hand, seems destined to expose sleazy gossip, base grievances and personal rivalries - and to profit off them.
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