The anonymity of the internet is a huge part of its vibrance. There are a lot of people who cannot feel completely safe or act authentically using their real name, or who simply have insecurities, who have thrived in online spaces where they could explore and express themselves and create and connect in ways they couldn’t offline. People writing fiction, making art, trying on new ways of being, exploring information or interests that they can’t get/be seen reading about in repressive households, making friendships outside of their social group or religion, doing “embarassing” stuff that is really just ‘having a hobby’, pouring out their feelings in a way they can’t with people they know, etc. Anonymity (if we can really call it that) online is so important to self expression and creativity. I think that an Internet where everyone has to put their legal name next to everything they do would be a sad, boring, negative place indeed. Like….facebook. You gotta protect that weirdness and humanity. The regular, identifiable world isn’t safe for humanity or for weirdness, or queerness, or survivors, activists, or people who are marginalized in any way. I don’t feel comfortable when I’m being watched. I’m not that creative or cool or interesting or nice when i feel self conscious. I think that goes for most people.