I've been thinking about the Google+ "Real Name" controversy and the selective enforcement, like allowing all the "Lady GaGa" profiles. I'm also reminded of Google's "Great Firewall of China" and their desire to do business with often oppressive regimes. It occurs to me that having political dissidents using pseudonyms on Google+ would be a problem in negotiations with these regimes. From a business standpoint it would be easier if political dissidents simply avoided Google+ completely. There's no need for embarrassing negotiations with China or Iran about dissidents using Google+ if there are none. Requiring people to use their real names will do a spectacular job of keeping away people whose lives would be endangered by using their real name.
What, did you honestly think the "No Pseudonyms" policy was about piracy or civil discourse?
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