How/Why to Be Anon

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This post was written by Heathen, an anon crypto writer focused on simplifying web3 through our work together, his newsletter, and his bomb threads.

BoredElonMusk. Punk6529. Edgy. 0xFoobar.

No, these are not randos in a Call of Duty lobby. These are some of the most influential content creators on crypto Twitter today. And what do they all have in common? Nobody knows who they really are. They are pseudonymous. But why?

Many would argue they are shady criminals hiding their true identities. Others would say they might be especially private individuals. What if using a pseudonym could be the thing you need to create your best content and make a living online?

The Power of Pseudonymity

Although pseudonymity is experiencing a golden age due to web3, it isn't a new practice. Writers from Alexander Hamilton to Stephen King have used pseudonyms in the past. Some pseudonyms became so famous that the writer is now only known by their pseudonyms such as Dr. Seuss and Mark Twain.

Clearly, there is an appeal to creating content under a new identity.

The best way to understand this appeal is to consider what produces the best content.

Exceptional content is born from taking risks. It comes from the creator freely speaking their mind. It comes from being vulnerable. This is what catches people’s attention: original content that pushes boundaries.

Unfortunately, pushing boundaries has never been harder. One step outside the groupthink box, and you can’t show your face at parties anymore. Even if you avoid the cancellation guillotine, who wants to risk an army of trolls riding you every time one of your ideas fails? Or being judged off irrelevant things like appearance instead of the merit of your content?

The end result of these pressures is that people censor themselves. They don’t speak their mind. They don’t take risks. The consequences of failing are just too severe.

Thankfully, the pseudonymous culture of web3 solves this. This is a culture woven into the fabric of web3, derived from the very beginning with the pseudonymous founder Satoshi. As a result, thousands of pseudonyms now make a living in crypto. And you can too.

If you’re still cautious, I ask you this: if you had the opportunity to liberate yourself from the shackles of society and produce your best work, would you take it?

Of course you would. Now let’s talk about how to do it.

The Pseudonymous Playbook

The great thing about web3’s acceptance of pseudonyms, or “anons” as they are affectionately referred to, is that you don’t need to do anything different from a doxxed account to become successful.

The only real difference is your starting point. This could be good or bad, depending on the person.

For instance, if you’re super hot, went to Harvard, and won the Nobel prize in literature, then being anon will suck in the beginning. Why? Because none of those prior accomplishments matter anymore. You have to build a new reputation, which means you must put in a lot of work to produce content worthy of a good reputation.

On the other hand, if you’re not doing great on Tinder and flunked out of college, then being anon is the best possible thing you can do. It’s like joining the Night’s Watch. All of your prior transgressions are wiped clean, and you have the chance to build a fresh reputation based on your merit.

In any case, being anon is worth it because of the reasons we discussed earlier: the ability to produce whatever content you want whenever you want.

Once you take the plunge and go anon, the path to profitability is a familiar one. You have to work your ass off to build a reputation of excellence. You do this exactly the same as a doxxed account: produce strong content in your area of expertise, form a coalition, and seek out digital apprenticeships.

The following and money naturally come as your skills and reputation grow.

A Choice, Not a Requirement

Web3 might be the last place on Earth where merit is the only requirement for success. There are no rules to conform to or guidelines to follow. The only thing that ultimately affects your success is you.

This means that although it can be very beneficial, going anon is by no means a prerequisite for success.

If you’re comfortable writing under your real name and eating whatever the trolls throw your way, then more power to you. If writing under your real name makes you shudder, then go anon. Either way is perfectly acceptable.

Producing exceptional content is the key to success as a web3 content creator. Being anon is just one tool to help with this.

But who knows, maybe it’s the tool you need to unlock your full potential.

Only one way to find out.