>> Does this lessen the fear of being rebuked when sharing thoughts in a public forum one values? > Absolutely. There is no threat of permanent harm. You just

>> Does this lessen the fear of being rebuked when sharing thoughts in a public forum one values? > Absolutely. There is no threat of permanent harm. You just lose your karma count and make a new account This is a myopic definition of harm and one whose identified remedy is trivialization. >> So we are left to stand on what we post here, with no other connection, no other commonality, only to accept each other for the thoughts we exchange I was referring to interaction in this forum. > We’re comparing to WhatsApp with your neighbors where everything you have said can be used against you in real life, reported to your employer, church, etc. It’s nothing like posting on an anonymous forum only attached to real life voluntarily and without verification Everything a person SMS's, email, and/or speaks with neighbors "can be used against you in real life, reported to your employer, church, etc." The medium used does not negate the possibility of treachery. Finally: Think about something as basic as a gay man publishing about being gay while living in a country where that is illegal. To which I retort; think about something as basic as an introvert making public their thoughts for unknown people to analyze, dissect, and formulate whatever response they like. Maybe the severity of risks are specific to those who undertake them?