[benjamincburns]

FWIW, most of what you're saying here is my rationale for the first half of the sentence you quoted. Specifically, there are times when it makes sense to speak up, and being able to do so anonymously definitely quashes fear-driven self censorship.

While generally I'd agree that self censorship is a bad thing, I'd also agree that an ability to control one's impulsiveness is just the opposite. Impulse control is what I was referring to above as my general reasoning for why I default to using my real identity online, not self censorship.