Pseudonyms may be a social firewall, but they also cheapen discourse because there is no consequence attached to speech. It may "put a layer of insulation between yourself and immature idiots", but it also is what allows those immature idiots to flourish in the first place. Communities like HN are far and away a minority on the net and a quick bounce through 4chan will show you just what speech without consequences looks like.
A true "psuedonym" would provide you with insulation, but would follow you everywhere and you would only get one.
A true "psuedonym" would provide you with insulation, but would follow you everywhere and you would only get one.