I think your mention of the wikileaks in your post really distinguishes the line between what I would see as a legitimate and less than legitimate role of anonymous blogging, or anonymous behavior on the internet in general. If someone is trying to blow a whistle and is afraid of reprisals, loosing their job, etc., then I can see the point of anonymity. But in my experiences with blogs and the internet in general, folks are anonymous to allude responsibility and to more or less throw bombs.

It’s a tough call. But when it comes to academic blogs generally (the kind of blogs I am most likely to read), I think that the reasons that most anonymous bloggers have for remaining hidden are specious. And when it comes to EMUTalk.org, well, I think most of the anonymous bloggers there enjoy not being known.

Present company not included, of course. ;-)