I definitely agree that someone who buys Bitcoins needs to think about how identity is tied back to them, but so far it's not a convincing point that Joe is at

I definitely agree that someone who buys Bitcoins needs to think about how identity is tied back to them, but so far it's not a convincing point that Joe is at a high degree of risk if he's cautious. Those points need to be debated specifically, and not from an abstract or high level. The cell phone example was the first I heard of that, and a really good example. But it's not going to break anonymity. It sounds way too hand-wavy to me to say things like "Well, Bitcoins.. It's a con.. the government will find Joe, somehow.. Be afraid!" So far, my point stands that you can remain completely anonymous while buying Bitcoins. The article started out with fear mongering, and so far, I'm unconvinced that it has any substance to it. To call it a "con" is sensationalism at best.