the Internet vs real life

SonicBOOM · May 27, 2008

I've heard many times things like "if your this serious about something that's on the Internet than you might need to get off for awhile" or something like that. I don't see how this is relevant because the only thing the Internet lacks that real life doesn't is that your not talking directly to the person. The Internet has real people who say real things and express real emotions. Yes it's through a computer but so is a phone call. We mide as well start saying that "if your this serious about something that's on the telephone than you might need to hang up for awhile." the telephone involves 2 humans that are communicating and interacting with eachother from a long distance.... so does the Internet. I'm gonna post a poll here in a second.... you guys tell me what you think

alfrodull · May 27, 2008

I wouldn't consider a phone call "real life" either. You still miss body language and physical touch, which, while not essential for accurate communication, are nice bonuses.

WileyCoyote · May 27, 2008

The internet is a 'safe haven' for those individuals who love to say things that they wouldn't dream of saying IRL. Just think about it. Somebody who is a coward in real life can now be brave. I've met a lot of internet 'gangsters' online. Oh, they sound tough but they are probably wiping the snot out of their noses with their hands and picking their wedgie out of their behinds after a comment.

radhead · May 27, 2008

I think it's nothing like actual interaction. (I was originally going to say very seldom.)

deliciousBass · May 27, 2008

WileyCoyote said:
Oh, they sound tough but they are probably wiping the snot out of their noses with their hands and picking their wedgie out of their behinds after a comment.

You must be spying on me!

deliciousBass · May 27, 2008

I went with the middle. There are similarities with internet communication and real life but obviously this changes from person to person. Some people are more like themselves on the internet than others.

puddleoffaith · May 27, 2008

Very seldom. I like real life where you can hear the sarcasm in their voice, the twinkle in their eyes, etc. Here it's like "J/K" or ";-)"

Lady Bug · May 27, 2008

Masked_Chris said:
I've heard many times things like "if your this serious about something that's on the Internet than you might need to get off for awhile" or something like that. I don't see how this is relevant because the only thing the Internet lacks that real life doesn't is that your not talking directly to the person. The Internet has real people who say real things and express real emotions. Yes it's through a computer but so is a phone call. We mide as well start saying that "if your this serious about something that's on the telephone than you might need to hang up for awhile." the telephone involves 2 humans that are communicating and interacting with eachother from a long distance.... so does the Internet. I'm gonna post a poll here in a second.... you guys tell me what you think

The internet to me anyhow has something to be desired when I contrast it with actual interpersonal interaction. However, what bothers me is that some people think they can treat others like utter garbage on the internet simply because it is the internet. They act as if they are not talking to actual breathing human beings with feelings.

soccerdad66 · May 27, 2008

I voted somewhat. Assuming that you're honest, but you can't determine the intangles, like voice inflection, expressions, etc.

And if your ticked off, it easier to walk away and calm down

HopeFaithLove4u · May 27, 2008

In my experience the internet has very seldom reflected the way people are in real life. It's been sad to me to 'see' on the internet, how mean and rude some people can be, when I'm pretty sure in real life, they wouldn't say the things they say on the internet.

I even met my ex-bf on the internet and he used to to 'preach' to other people, to be real and just be the person you are, when in real life, he was completely faking it with me. (I didn't know it at the time....I figured it out thru time)

It's soooooo easy for people to 'think' about what they are typing to either 'look good' or 'bad' or whatever they want to look like. And they can go back and edit things out or in. Talking on the phone, even tho not in person, is more like real life (I think) because you just talk like you normally would and you can hear 'expression' in the voice and you can't edit, what you've already said.

But, I do notice they are some people on forums, just being themselves and honest about what's happening in their lives, too. They aren't mean to other people or try to embellish stories of themselves to try to make themselves look better to other people. I like those people!

alfrodull · May 27, 2008

I think it depends how much you rely on nonverbal cues. It's really not that much harder for me to figure out if someone is lying online, because I somehow missed out on the nonverbal cues skill everyone is supposed to have.

Marycita · May 27, 2008

I voted somewhat, but I really meant sometimes...it just depends on the peeople...I mean, obviously there are differences and things missing from the internet, but I think you can get to know someone for who they really are...if that person truly just lets you

deliciousBass · May 27, 2008

Marycita said:
I voted somewhat, but I really meant sometimes...it just depends on the peeople...I mean, obviously there are differences and things missing from the internet, but I think you can get to know someone for who they really are...if that person truly just lets you

So do you think you can fall in love over the internet?

Niels · May 27, 2008

Some people are how they seem online, some are better, and some are worse. It's hard to generalize, but I'll go with the third option. The internet is somewhat like actual interaction. The level of similarity really depends on who's involved, how they handle the situation, and what you read into their writing.

Marycita · May 27, 2008

deliciousBass said:
So do you think you can fall in love over the internet?

I think it's possible...not terribly common..I would imagine the falling in love part would happen when the two people actually met though..

though I wouldn't say it's impossible to fall in like over the internet

alfrodull · May 27, 2008

deliciousBass said:
So do you think you can fall in love over the internet?

I assure you it is the case, and that meeting is not strictly necessary. It takes trust, though. More than is typically wise to give.

latteda · May 27, 2008

I voted somewhat, but like others have mentioned, I think it depends on the person you're communicating with. Personally, I am inclined to act the same online as I do in person most of the time. There aren't very many things I would say online that I wouldn't be willing to say in person.

However, most of the time, I am probably not going to get my panties in a bunch over something an online acquaintance says to me. That's mainly because my relationship with most people I interact with online is not close enough to where their words have very much effect on me. There are exceptions...there are a few people on this site, for instance, whose negative words would bother me...but they are ones who I am either fairly close friends with or whose opinions I have come to respect.

K9_Trainer · May 27, 2008

Internet IS a part of real life. It's not a whole different world, it's not fake.

The people here are still people with feelings, opinions and emotions. We are having real discussions, we're forming real friendships. There's nothing fake or unreal about it.

Yeah, people can lie over the internet, pretend to be somebody they aren't. But people do that in person too! You'd be surprised at how people can lie directly to your face. And I"m sure we all know those people who are totally different people when they're around others than they are when they're alone with you.

Regarding interaction, yeah of course it's different. But it's got it's own advantages and disadvantages, just as interacting in real life does.

And yes, you can fall in love over the internet and phone without meeting the person first.

Apollo Celestio · May 27, 2008

the Internet is somewhat like actual interaction.
Not the same as real life, but the same effects of discussion can occur, it's still dialougue. We are people, just like you. But there is a "too far" line too.

the Internet vs real life

is the Internet pretty close to actual interaction

the Internet is just like actual interaction

the Internet is pretty close to actual interaction

the Internet is somewhat like actual interaction

the Internet is very seldom like actual interaction

the Internet is nothing like actual interaction.

SonicBOOM

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Marycita

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You're not my nemesis

Unusually unusual, absolutely unpredictable

Deal with it.

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