Of course, the other problem with "we need to sacrifice anonymity for $foo" is that it only makes acheiving anonymity a pain in the ass for those who want it on the spur of the moment.
Not entirely true. Our society could outlaw anonymity; it seems to be heading in that direction. It could make it considerably more than a pain in the ass to get it, spur of the moment... or at all.
That's one of the consequences of our modern, networked society. All that stands between us and a future where it's impossible to make a phone call without it being associated with a person's identity is for the companies that put up pay-phones to decide they're not making enough money. The net is essentially already like that; public, anonymous access points are few and far between.
(no subject)
Not entirely true. Our society could outlaw anonymity; it seems to be heading in that direction. It could make it considerably more than a pain in the ass to get it, spur of the moment... or at all.
That's one of the consequences of our modern, networked society. All that stands between us and a future where it's impossible to make a phone call without it being associated with a person's identity is for the companies that put up pay-phones to decide they're not making enough money. The net is essentially already like that; public, anonymous access points are few and far between.