It's an interesting observation - I do the same thing and am frequently surprised when I go back and check the name/picture. I don't think there's anything necessarily wrong with doing this, as long as we understand why we're doing it, and what assumptions we've made about the writing to draw up that conceptualisation of the writer.
In moving to Penguinhood as a default, the plan was always to do what I think should be done across society and that is judge people on the merits of what they do and say rather than who they are. As an example, I noted very quickly the tendency of female writers on Medium who do well in the feminist circles seemingly draw a bigger crowd if they are attractive and/or play into that sexualisation as part of their branding. I find that problematic. What someone looks like, or how much they earn (to use the male equivalent - and Medium does the same thing with high earning males) does not really impact the value of what they have to say. I found the recent staff picks of John Gorman and Reid Hoffman to be average and a bit vapid and average, especially when compared with the pieces by Nigel Stanley and Lessig. The former being two 'successful' men the latter being two experts in their field. The more we can move away from identity as being intrinsic to worthiness of thought the better society will be - and the more feminist (or gender egalitarian) it will become. Everything should be anonymised as far as practicably possible to bring in a true meritocracy.
My writing tone, or voice, is a product of my naturally combative nature, with more than a hint of Terry Pratchett around the architecture. It may be masculine for that reason because they are the main two influences on my writing, but it also may just be masculine because I am a male. Whether it matters or not depends on your view of the importance of the messenger over the message. :o)
If you can comment, you can write. Everyone has something to say and can be part of a discussion, so take your best comments and expand them into an article. Many of the best thinkers on this platform linger in the comments sections for far too long. What's the worst that can happen? Go on, give it a try, you might love it. :o)
