I'm only for this if it is NOT the default setting (in other words, that your default reading filter is not public unless you specifically click the option to make it so, and that this is adequately documented. As an option, I have no problem with it, but I much prefer that there at least be the option of keeping default filters private.)

I'm sort of confused also: what is the current behavior on DW? I know that on LJ you can make your groups private, in which case others can't see them, or you can publicize them, but it seems like on DW this privacy feature doesn't exist, because when I go to create a new subscription filter, I don't see an option to make the filter public/private? Or does it?

Is it currently possible on DW to make any subscription filter public? If so, then why not just create a "publicdefault" filter, make that public, and then view that when logged out?