I don't know anything about libertarian values, but identity can be viewed in many ways - this is literally what the whole field of philosophy seeks to explore (one might argue more so ontology).

I think were it would apply here in the decentralized new frontiers of Nostr is an issue of incentive. Is there an incentive to steal an identity? I would say at this point, there is a far greater incentive toward authenticity. This is why I believe the troll population has not been an issue here, and from decades of dealing with message boards, that has been a nice feature.

npub1zky8clx3jrvkl4apjgpe0xafeplqz2h5dje5qx06v44h3eazl24snrfj2s, the only thing I thought when seeing an identical profile pic to npub1m8d6pcrjhke48hasqgx7zkgjdt68u60px04frw753697mcmnyr3q365d6q, and a similar play on a NIP05 handle was, here we go, now we're going to have trolls talking to themselves. I saw this in my follow notifications in Primal, before I saw this note. But here we are! Initially the pfps were the same, now I'm seeing a different pfp for npub1zky8clx3jrvkl4apjgpe0xafeplqz2h5dje5qx06v44h3eazl24snrfj2s.

The truth is, we're all anons here to some extent. any identity is only what you make it, and only the gullible novice will assume it is anything more. Many have already had fun making multiple accounts, and why not? Perhaps the identity you choose to experience with one group is different than the identity you choose to experience with another. Is one more authentic than another? I think Jung may have something to say about that!

If you see the bare npubs above, that was intentional. Some clients may render these as something else. We have a concept of a verified handle, and also a nickname or username. Handles are (based on my understanding of NIP05) unique, at least to a point in time. nicknames definitely are not. I could change my nickname to Angel Dawson, or My Only Friend, just as easily as changing my profile pic.

But I have no incentive to do so. Whatever you (or you two) are up to, I hope the reward matches the effort for you. For me, it may be a day's entertainment to see what you can stir up here.

The CEO of Nostr says... Happy #Zapathon day, and keep writing these notes!