[aestra]

>- How would using real names affect the discussion here?

We have had many people post candid accounts under throwaways. Some have been informative, some have been mean and hateful. We can take the good with the bad. Some people can post their accounts of sexual or physical abuse, time in jail, unpopular/politically damaging opinions, etc.

>- Do you think we have better discussions because we don't have to use our real names?

Yes. More people are freer to participate. People who don't want to be Googleable for example. People are more free to speak their minds rather than say "could this hurt my career?" or "if the authorities in my country read this, am I going to get in trouble?"