"If people did use their real names... and I mean real names and not fake "real names" these threads would be far more civilized."
Maybe so, but a lot of us would not be here. I wouldn't. Too completely public, no bar to access whatsoever. A private email group maybe, but not here. The anonymity is not absolute, though, by any means. Identities can be subpoenaed from the site in the case of libel, or even accusations of libel such as the recent cases of subpoenas from ambulance chasers working for the touts of non-reporting bulletin board paper, for purposes of harassment only.
You're right though, the downside is that some people say stupid things they otherwise wouldn't. That's the price you pay for freedom of speech, having to sift through the garbage, imho. Much of the time i follow posters more than threads, through the Peoplemarks, that saves a lot of time. And some threads are far more intelligent than others, you learn which is which after a while. You get to know people. 'fuddle' would be no less malicious posting under a name that appeared to be real. Maybe there is a higher signal-to-noise ratio coming from 'real names', but i can think of a few striking exceptions if so. Too high a cost for the gain, imho ... but feel free, start up a site that requires a 'real name' and i'll pick up a new birth certificate next time i'm by the biker bar, you'll see, i'm just as mouthy face-to-face -g- .... no more from me on this, it is off-topic .. sorry ... cheers
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