> I'm not going to choose to "prove I'm an adult" to most of the Internet, just the sites I want to use.

Except for purchases and other business or government type interactions I flat out refuse to do this. I simply do not use web sites or services that require a real name. I only rarely use ones that require an email.

Yes, this means I don't use most commercial services and major websites. I honestly think I'm better off for it. But it's also a line in the sand and I feel much better for observing it.

HN doesn't require an email to sign up. If it did, I almost certainly would never have created an account here.