This is a terrible idea.

You don't have to be ashamed of anything for someone to decide they really don't like you and do something awful about it. History is rife with examples and there's even people who stalk people online even today. Hell, you could get in deep shit just by being distantly related to somebody whom someone didn't like.

Contrary to "common wisdom" requiring real names doesn't seem to be a major factor in improving the quality of the dialog in an online community. There's plenty of real examples and some research out there, by all means don't take my word for it.

So no, I am not interested in what you're proposing, especially since the problem you seem annoyed by amounts to sock puppet accounts on a forum. It certainly won't help with what you're worried about but it will make the internet an overall worse place to be.

Privacy and Censorship issues will kill this even before it gets off the ground

Got to love the irony of people who use anonymous usernames on a message board posting about how great it would be if people couldn't use anonymous usernames on message boards.

Why don't we change the real name requirement to credit card requirement? Everywhere you go online, you have to use all the info required to use your credit card as your nick. It'd keep the trolls and alt accounts away.

Others have responded rather eloquently. Sadly, my response won't be quite as:

Fuck. Right. Off.

That argument is not too many steps removed from the whole "if you've got nothing to hide..." bullshit that people spout when almost Orwellian security measures are suggested.

As has been said, the potential problems far outweigh the removal of a couple of trolls. The internet, for better or worse, is one of the few places where true freedom of speech exists. It exists because of the very anonymity you seem to despise so much.

I don't tell everyone I meet and talk to in the street my name. I don't tell people I see often in the course of work, or shopping, or whatever my name, unless it's needed.

As far as I can figure it, only a complete imbecile would want anything like what you propose to actually be implemented.

Because it would also keep the majority of world users offline - MOST people dont have a credit or debit card.

Those in favour of using real names should use real names.

Those in favour of surveillance in the name of safety and security and who "have nothing to hide" should put webcams in all their rooms for all to see.

Those who justify piracy by "sharing is caring" should leave their doors unlocked and let anyone "share" what's in their homes.

Isn't that what we're trying to do here?

Americans take privacy laws very seriously.

For once we totally agree on something but that situation would only be cosmetic for the comfort of net users.

As of right now, not a single person on the net is completely cloaked if they manage to piss someone off enough.

In answer to you're question, with reference to what I have highlighted in bold, NO!

I'm hoping he is being sarcastic with his initial post, because even with the use of a credit card requirement there are still ways around it to create fake accounts. Such as identity theft.

I'm not being sarcastic at all - there are people who simply dont have access to such things - the vast majority of the world. Should we suddenly see a need for real name internet access, this would of course be accompanied by credit or debit card verification instantly blocking a great dela of people - many of whom will slowly gain access to the internet under normal means in the next ten to twenty years if such a clause is left out.
And i agree / see your point on the identity theft...

,,,wait, was your comment aimed at me or not - NOW im confused! O_o

No, I was referring to Adzeth. Credit card info requirement does not make sense for the reason you brought up as well as the whole identity theft thing.