I agree with you in general principle, that it shouldn’t matter.
But it does. When people don’t have their name attached to what they say, they’re bolder. They will say things that they typically wouldn’t face to face. Good old fashioned flame wars are prime example.
Frankly, I’m exhausted by our culture of anonymity. The whole Costas thing is a prime example. Whether you agree with him or not, people in the comfort of their tighty whiteys can spew all sorts of hate and vitriol and call for his head…and call it free speech. The concept of dialogue, or debate has been pulled to a zero sum game.
So, I understand your view 914, and I respect it. I am simply choosing what I feel is the path that works best for me at this time in my life.