I agree Guy is consistent. I just wish he would be quite so forceful with his opinions on certain things.
Even if people legally had to use their real names online, I can guarantee that the scammers and fraudsters would find a way to avoid this (no system is absolutely fullproof), and therefore that removes the alleged reasoning behind people always using their real names - namely you could guarantee you knew who you were dealing with.
I don't doubt scammers and fraudsters would find there way round such a requirement.
However that is not the point.
First, as a child I was always taught that it was polite to introduce myself to people on meeting them. If I cannot even trust people to know my name why should they put their trust in me?
Second, If someone offers their name to me and I respond by giving them a false name I insult them, as I am saying they cannot be trusted with my name.
Third, in situations where secrecy and cover ups is the norm. People are not alarmed to discover secrecy or cover ups. That allows those who are less than honest to thrive as people do not find secrecy and deception out of the ordinary.
Fourth, if I use my real name on forums and in correspondence people can hold me to account. If I libel someone they can take action against me.
Fifth, I cannot take one view on one forum and the opposite view on another forum as people would quickly point out the discrepancies.
There are five reasons why I use my real name online the main one being I trust each and every member of this forum with my name, by doing so I make myself accountable for my words. I cannot write something then disclaim it somewhere else, as it has my name on it. To some people that does not matter to me it does.
If I write something embarrassing I have to live with the knowledge that everyone can see what I have written and therefore take me to task over it, today or in the future.
Cheers
Guy