> Facebook pushes “real names” because Zuck thought it was a good idea, and it makes them more money.

To be fair Facebook started with the "(re)connect with your college friends" premise, so it made sense for them to push real names. Not that they couldn't have changed it later, though.

I don’t think HN is a good example of verification considering SWIM made an account with a disposable email address to segregate shitposting/anything-interesting from the sterile corporate persona that the account bearing their actual online handle uses.

That case is a lesser form of anonymity since the platform knows your identity. With laws like the EU just recently voted for, this can become a problem.

Sure, they may log your IP and your ISP could connect the dots, but it still provides privacy.