Interesting discussion. There is another reason for posting anonymously. Some of us have very unique names. If you were to type my name into a search engine you would come up with one page of results. You would know where I was formerly employed, you would know I had my house remodeled, hence my address, you would be able to access the letters to the editor I have written. I also live in one of the reddest states in the country. I don't feel comfortable posting on any site, and I do from time to time post comments on a number of sites, using the name my parents saw fit to give me. A unique name is both a bane and a blessing, depending on the circumstances.