> DNS for your average user is too complicated.

The average user doesn't need verification either.

In fact, I don't think I want most users verified. It then creates a reverse incentive where anonymous accounts are distrusted by default and too much trust is given to verification. An important part of a system with free speech and not governable (the point of distributed) is to be able to freely speak. Sometimes that means hiding your identity. Especially for those in countries or societies with particularly authoritarian rule. The best way to keep people quiet is to make them afraid of their neighbor.

  > what should the domain name be for a journalist at the NYT?

AliceBob@NYT

  > What if they leave the NYT?

AliceBob@bsky.social

Everyone has the bsky.social handle, so you revert. I'd even be happy if optional profiles could show former affiliations. But it doesn't seem like a big problem. I mean NYT shouldn't be verifying a journalist if that journalist is no longer at NYT. Their new employer should.