RE: https://mastodon.social/@benroyce/116101957517575441
I, too, have used my real name on the Internet for most of Internet's existence. I haven't been very worried about what I say under my name, because I'm a white man with little worry about my privilege.
But one of those privileges has been a lot of experience working on pseudonymous communities. I know (second hand) how important it is to be online without exposing your entire identity.
My real name is Ben Royce. I frequently shoot my mouth off on Mastodon. I do not fucking care
That's a luxury not a lot of people have
Some are trans
Some are in sensitive domestic or work situations
Some are exploring themselves and want to be free of humiliation and regret if they fuck up and need to go dark
Lots of valid reasons for anonymity
And so no Mr. #Merz, that's terrible idea, fuck off
"#Germany's Merz calls for real names on the Internet"
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/germanys-merz-calls-real-names-211340863.html