Anonymity and Utility
As implied in my contact information, I prefer to not be anonymous. This is not to say that I prefer the opposite extreme. However:
That is the essential point. What good, you might ask, is reputation? Shakespeare had his perspective on the matter (from Othello, Act 3, screen 3):
Good name in man or woman, dear my lord, Is the immediate jewel of their souls. Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing; 'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands; But he that filches from me my good name Robs me of that which not enriches him, And makes me poor indeed.
This is relevant to reputation and plagiarism, both of interest to people who do creative work, whether in the arts or the sciences (or technology, if you make that distinction).
I could explore at length Shakespeare's point on "good name". But I introduced the quote to illustrate reputation. My interest in reputation is its role in establishing facts.
