I think we are, for all practical purposes, using our real names (in particular, there are a number of recognizable "power users", which I think is where most of the harm of nonymity comes from); I don't think a switch to our birth names would make much difference. I think under a fully-anonymous HN the best discussions would be better but the average discussion would be worse (as it is on 4chan). I would favour increased anonymity.
