I prefer anonymous BBSes like 4-ch because the occasional bad joke, unpopular opinion or ill-thought-out post won't reflect on me permanently. On websites like reddit, or your average webforum, I'm always nervous about what others will think of my post and how it will color their perception of in the future. (Oddly, this seems to bother me so much that my posts on pseudo-anonymous websites are actually of lower quality.) In contrast, on 4-ch, I can post whatever I want to without needlessly worrying what others will think.
One might easily believe that the ability to make shitty posts without fear of retribution or ostracization does not reflect well on anonymity. However, people seem quite willing to make shitty posts when they're pseudo-anonymous as well, so I don't think it really makes a difference.
What are your own personal reasons for being anonymous? Or using a name/tripcode, if you do.
it does wonders for social anxiety
Yeah, and also,
Its easier to log-in.
and Ego-free
No post-counts, sign-up dates, recognizable handles, identity, visible administrators etc. make it largely free of ways to criticize, or shield from criticism, people beyond what they themselves contribute.
"oh hai I see you have three posts on this board... n00b!"
"MisterCoolIce signed up in 2003, he's been here far longer than you and as such his opinion carries far more weight."
"I see you are a moderator, so accordingly I'll modify my treatment of you and kiss your ass at every opportunity."
i like my text raw.
Account sites is for gay people that like having to suck e-dicks. I want pussy because I'm STRAIGHT. Also see # >>5.
because plain text is just more bad ass,
and bandwithally economical.