"Why use ruby when you could have developed Basecamp in less time with php?"

I guess you are right that is may be more "interesting" if say famous developer X person asked vs a random nobody, but I also see the benefit of them being anonymous because it requires the answer to be better.

If famous developer X person had asked, they may feel more compelled to answer rather than if it was a nobody. By asking anonymously they might feel like they need to answer more appropriately regardless because it could be either or.