It is indeed the way of the world–but especially in the Jewish world, where it is assumed that you’re probably only a few friends and relatives away from figuring out who another poster is. The fact that most posters on YWM identify as Orthodox Jews makes the job that much simpler, since they’ll mostly be centered in a few geographical areas.
However, there is no excuse for someone to actively participate in the bullying and unmasking of a poster who clearly does not wish to be unmasked. It’s cruel, embarrassing, and it shouldn’t be a source of personal pride. While some, like Will Hill and SJSinNYC, are clearly neutral on the idea of being identified, the majority of people that come here seem to come here for an open, honest, ANONYMOUS discussion.
I think what happened to Brooklyn19 is shameful, though it may be argued that she provided too much information in different posts. Even so, it is nobody’s business who she’s dating, where she works or how old she actually is. I, for one, care about the answers to these questions exactly as much as I care about knowing similar information about any random girl in Brooklyn who happens to pass by.
Imagine yourself arbitrarily stopping a Jewish girl on the streets of Brooklyn and interrogating her to find out her personal information.
Would you feel like a big, macho man then?
Or a sleazy creep?
Think about it.