[kanzure]

Another option instead of using identity is to use proof of work or hashcash such that anyone who thinks a comment is valuable can use some hash rate to upvote it. It doesn't matter how the content was generated, only that someone thought it was important, and you can independently verify this by checking how much hash effort went into hashing for that comment. This also does not require any identity either.

[Borealid]

Advertisers are more willing to spend money to promote content than an individual is willing to do the same...

[kanzure]

Having multiple different distribution channels can solve that problem. Advertisers cannot monopolize all distribution channels simultaneously because of the costs involved (it would be like someone trying to buy the whole economy).

[jeff-hykin]

Using a real identity doesn't fix that problem either though: advertisers just pay real people in India to do ID checks.