I've been on Hubski for a while now. I joined because it was started by a friend(s) of mine. Before that, I had never used a social aggregator before. I have never used Reddit, so I'm unfamiliar with the culture there. I can't think of a reason that someone would want to post anonymously. With absolutely no snark intended, I'm curious why this is a desired feature. It feels a bit slippery to me.
querx hit it on the head. It's the internet. We're all throwaways. But Hubski has the ability to make you feel like you have a reputation, and that your reputation can be tarnished by saying something that may need to be said, but that you aren't comfortable associating your name with. Adding in the twist of giving the reigns on a single throwaway account is very unique, because literally anyone can put on the same mask. It's exciting! And either way, I've never been one to shy away from an experiment that might fail. Have you seen my poetry? Some of it is awful. But sometimes it makes something happen inside of people. So who cares about the experimental failures. Without them no one would experience the good ones.
I see. My only criticism of it would be in some heated debate scenario. Where a conversation started really ugly, but eventually became a teaching moment (as much as I hate that phrase). A lot of respect could potentially be earned by the people for resolving their differences. A throwaway could make this less achievable as people gravitate to it for protection. Then again, if the catalyst for such a conversation can only be garnered through the throwaway in the first place - it could be a good addition. I'm all for an experiment though and love the idea that it is one shared mask.
I believe that if people are mature enough to resolve their differences through reasoned discussion that they are not the type of people who would resort to an anonymous bashing through a shadowy account. However, just today I had a discussion with someone who was not anonymous who I think is very rude and does not do their own arguments justice due to the way in which they present them. Anonymity does not guarantee venom, nor does reputation always prevent it.
Just speaking from reddit experience, the Ask Reddit sub there tended to wade into controversial waters. Sometimes people felt the burning urge to answer one of those questions like "Have you ever cheated on your ex" "Have you ever hired a prostitute" or "What have you done at work that should've gotten you fired" as a catharsis, or a need to get it off their chest, or just to brag and in those cases I think the throwaway just felt like an added layer of protection. Truth be it told I'd lived in my reddit account for long enough that if you looked through my post history and were determined and bored enough you probably could've found me other places online or my friends or family could've recognized me if they knew who they were looking for. The most scandalous thing they probably would've learned would have been terribly bland but some people have more exciting lives that they want to share and if those details made it back to them then there could be ugly repercussions.
I also never used Reddit (although there is an account existent with my username) or any other aggregator, so Hubski is my primar experience and I love it. Throwaway, in my opinion, is mostly desired/used by already existent users, who don't wanna be judged for the matter they posted/commented about.