These are all great points on both sides imo. Enjoying the convo and it got me self-reflecting so here are my notes and stuff. Not about security btw
On the value of anonymity:
We all wear masks and hats. We take on identities and live those out in the world. You as a believer of freedom or bitcoin. You as a guy who wears his hat backwards.
Based on our environment, we also act and behave in different ways. We wear different ‘hats’ with our friends, with our family, with our co-workers. Kind of like a ven diagram we adapt to find commonality with others and that unique blend we define with each relationship + activity.
Personally I believe that everyone, even the people you think you hate the most has some center piece of the ven diagram that would be interesting to explore.
However, what if your circles never cross? You miss out on the opportunity to blend and learn. I think that’s where the beauty of play and putting on masks you wouldn’t ordinarily wear is so cool. It offers plasticity and creativity.
Children do this quite often. They play and put on different hats. They explore the world as firemen, avengers, mommy & daddy, etc. It’s an exercise in empathy and exploration of identity.
I think that experimentation offers something special that we get to participate in as cyber monkeys in this social network hivemind.
Throwing on and playing with identities. Experimentation free of the biological tribal hardwiring that would get you outcast and killed when we were hunters and gatherers. Stakes were much higher then, but our bodies and our hypothalamus still think it’s life or death.
Tldr: Play has value. Our biology hasn’t caught up to technology and that has consequences and for most people anonymity offers an opportunity to circumvent that bad wiring
I have no problem with anonymity. It is a very important freedom/option to have. Especially if you want unbiased answers from people in your tribe or in circles where you might not otherwise be welcome. I think being anonymous was one of the most important choices that Satoshi made, both for his own sake & for Bitcoin.
But I still don't think it's best for day to day life unless you're already so famous that no one would ever treat you normally otherwise.
Yea I can see that point of view.
I can 💯 see how anonymity can be a veil. Like you’re almost being dishonest with your inner-self if you rely on wearing the mask all the time.
On the flip, Satoshi is a wonderful example imo of being the change you wish to see in the world and understanding that sometimes that takes separation.
It sounds like for you, it is bravely stepping into the light with your identity.
I still wonder if there is room for other hats that could serve different purposes though? If you wear them for what they are…… just hats 🎩 🧢⛑️🪖
I think one can approach the world with both, if the self-awareness is there for the games they are playing; and it’s not just you playing tricks on yourself
Maybe there is more fulfillment and change invocation in courageously doing both?
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