No doubt the intent is to make the interactions more "real", and to help lower the negative vibes that often accompany anonymous poo flinging goat rodeos.
And encouraging this practice is fine.
Making it mandatory is a terrible idea.
And although the potential for stalking, or being tracked by a dangerous ex-partner etc. are often cited as reasons, proficiency in the use of privacy settings and other basic precautions can mostly negate such concerns.
Some better, more fundamental reasons are detailed below:
1. Myopic world view
Real names are not always straight forward.
Some people have more than one real name, and each of their real names means precisely nothing to half the people that they know.
Some people have names that can't be read by the people they know, or even entered/displayed in many operating environments. A Romanised rendering of a one's name is not always one's real name.
Some people don't even have real names. For example, most British citizens.
The world is more complicated and "diverse" than one would find at 1 Hacker Way, and these policies discriminate without good reason.
Some people have more than one real name, and each of their real names means precisely nothing to half the people that they know.
Some people have names that can't be read by the people they know, or even entered/displayed in many operating environments. A Romanised rendering of a one's name is not always one's real name.
Some people don't even have real names. For example, most British citizens.
The world is more complicated and "diverse" than one would find at 1 Hacker Way, and these policies discriminate without good reason.
2. It reverses the burden of proof
If they decide you're guilty, it's your responsibility to prove you're not. This presumes they're kind enough to grant you the privilege of a hearing.
Of course, this is only an issue because of...
Of course, this is only an issue because of...
3. Arbitrary enforcement
Enforcement is not universal. They're not checking everybody's names for fakery, because if they were, there would never be the option to enter a pseudonym in the first place. Instead, they're just flagging & banning any that sort of feel wrong.
So it's less about "real", and more about "real sounding".
Q. What if they amended the policy in a way that suitably accommodated these issues?
A. Then the policy would be so watered down as to simply not be worth having.
Mandatory verification of identity is the only way a real name policy can work.
Mandatory verification of identity is the only way a real name policy can work.
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