Anonymous 

 
Image: Anonymous masked man

Many users of social media tends to expose too much personal information online, however with the use of anonymity users can conduct many actions without facing the consequences, thus rid themselves of responsibility. The flanuer, someone who wanders the streets with the ability to blend in with the mass or stand out from the mass for attention with their unusual character. Being who-ever they want and how-ever they wanted (Gaylene Barnes, 1997), although instead of streets picture it on the net, a cyber-flanuer. One who surfs the net and can either draw in or advert the attention or blend in (Gaylene Barnes, 1997). This kind of behaviour can be seen within the organisation called, Anonymous.

With the ability to construct you’re own identity on social media users can choose how they can be portrayed by what they say and do. A social media organisation by the name, Anonymous depicts cyber-flanuer, constructing an identity as social justice fighters while strictly limiting all possible information about themselves. Over on Mirror.co.uk, Kelly-ann Mills explains how this organisation freely attacks or declares war on the terrorist group named Isis while stating their objective against them.
By declaring war on Isis, this hacking organisation has intentionally gained the attention of the public. As users on social media have the ability to remain anonymous, organisations such as this can boldly threat merciless terrorist groups, as they’ve declared their objectives they would disappear and blend within the mass of users over social media.

With the use of the internet and the possibility of identity concealment, the word cyber-flanuer is brought about. Users have the ability to freely act however they may intent, a freedom of action. Much of the internet works around this type of anonymity as it allows users to create a virtual identity, thus constructing their own identity such as Anonymous has, as social justice fighters.






References

Anonymous mask. (n,d). [Image]. Retrieved from https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSYz994P_SkVnQVXiBRkulUhyZLlbIEqWGpfJsOo7tvmvSK67JTMQ

Mills, K. (2016). Brussels attacks: Anonymous declares war on ISIS in chilling video vowing 'we will find you’, Retrieved from http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/brussels-attacks-anonymous-declares-isis--7615029

Barnes, G. (1997). Passage of the Flaneur http://www.raynbird.com/essays/Passage_Flaneur.html