Well, there's careers being made, egos being stroked, and insecurities being salved.

It's not just a shared interest community. YC isn't a benevolent organization, and many of the folks, hereabouts, have some pretty serious cred (and money/power). Lots of folks want to get on their good side, and may think that frontin' is the best way.

Note that you're one of a minority of people here who aren't using a pseudonym.

I don't use my real name here precisely so that I don't have to worry about what other people will think about me when reading my comments.

I’m not sure it’s a minority. Folks out themselves, all the time, and I encountered a couple of companies, when I was still job-searching, that required my HN ID, in the application.

But the main reason I do it, is because it forces me to behave. I may come across as a bit “stuffy,” but I challenge folks to find anything I’ve posted here (or anywhere, in the last eight years or so), that would be considered “troll-ish.”

I used to be a troll. I feel the need for some atonement.

Also, I found out that we are nowhere near as anonymous as we think we are.

If we participate in a public forum, I feel as if we need to be aware that we each have a personal Responsibility to add to it, and that we should just assume that we will be held to account for our words.

Just like IRL.

I know, I know. That’s a “quaint” attitude, but it’s the one I have.