@igel @matrix There's a distinct matrix and a distinct igel in my head. You both are easily recognisable bundle of traits, hobbies and fetishes that often interlock and appear in posts together. Even if you two (especially you two) resurfaced under different avatars and names - or even without avatars and names - I'd still recognize you since this sector of the fediverse isn't that big.
An imageboard I frequent has a stable core of the same ~10 people that can often be easily identified by typing style, opinions, images they attach etc. This is vastly more difficult on a board with 10,000 users. I think all comes down to scale.
but are they really