I believe you're being cynical, because this forced name policy allows for answers to be of higher quality, which is basically their entire selling point - being a better yahoo answers.
If you want anonymity there are other platforms for that, stackexchange for example.
Ask MetaFilter is a much better Yahoo Answers, but I can be pseudonymous there. Also, my pseudonym is much closer to a real identity than what's on my driver's license.
I don't have any real reason to fear sharing my "real name" with Quora. I'm lucky. But I'm not the only person in the world. Good thing I'm not trans or a religious dissident. Good thing the only thing stopping me from contributing to Quora is my ornery nature. I would hate to for the world to miss out on my Quora contributions for a good reason.
Good thing Quora doesn't have my "real name" is all I'm saying. I have an interest in privacy, even though I use the same pseudonym as my identity on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. And Ask MetaFilter. And so many other places. I shouldn't have to beg to use my preferred name on Quora's bulletin board, regardless of my reasons. It's none of their business.
There's nothing about a "real names" policy that automatically turns a shitposter into a quality contributor. There are plenty of reasons not to wear a target on your back and self-doxx. Today's misadventure is one very good reason.
> That's a false dichotomy. Ask MetaFilter is a much better Yahoo Answers, but I can be pseudonymous there.
There's an example that just happens to be the greatest knowledge platform ever built in world history. Wikipedia allows non real name contributions. Plainly next to that, Quora has no legitimate excuse for requiring real names to ensure quality. It's for one reason: $$$. They have to figure out how to reach a $3b valuation at some point so their VC owners can get a reasonable exit. It guarantees an inevitable disaster for a knowledge service. The conflict between quality and always needing more and more junk content to slap ads on and allowing for abusive business practices to reach for that fat exit for the VCs. And if you don't do it, they'll put someone in charge that will. Unless you can find another business model as Stack Exchange did, stay private & small/lean (so you don't have to try to pretend to be a $3b company when your business model will never legitimately get you beyond 1/20th that), or go the donation Wikipedia route.
It's not that hard to be as anonymous as you like on Quora. It's been a while since I contributed, because I got tired of their schizophrenic moderation, but I don't recall that mobile text authentication was necessary. Unlike say, Twitter. And even that isn't all that hard to get around, using hosted SIMs.
It's impossible for me to be as anonymous as I like on Quora, because they require a government ID with the name I want to use. Which isn't even that weird! It's my legal last name, plus my childhood nickname for a first name.
Your name just didn't provoke their Real Name Gestapo.
Can you elaborate on the hosted SIMs thing? More and more websites are starting to ask for SMS verification and blocking VOIP numbers like google voice and it is getting really annoying.
Yes. Within hours of registering my account, Quora emailed to let me know that my name sounds fake and that I have to prove my identity with government ID, or I can't use Quora on an equal basis with other users. It really burns me!
I think part of their reasoning is "hey, we have prominent users! Let's make sure everyone knows it!" But Ask MetaFilter has famous users. They are in no way diminished by my pseudonymity.
Plus I know how to change my name. I can spend $100 at the courthouse, and get an ID that would force Quora to let me use my preferred name. My point is, Quora doesn't get to be the impetus for my legal name change. I don't need Quora's permission to call myself what I prefer to be called.
Not saying I agree with them (honestly Quora should die and burn in hell), but if you really need the service can't you just give them a middle finger in the form of a fake ID? Best case scenario it works, worst case scenario they still don't reopen your account. Either way you don't lose anything.
I've got this meta schadenfreude seeing things succeed that HNers hate. The new MacBook Pro and any unicorn startup that posted a Show HN. It's cute how HNers actually think that they're relevant.
If you want anonymity there are other platforms for that, stackexchange for example.