I really like the forum template for conversation. I mean the topics don't have to be all that deep, I just enjoy this method of communicating with other people. Out in the world, talking to people is so different. You can't just ignore the threads that don't interest you and jump into one that does. That would be rude in both 'threads.' Like you're at a party, standing in a group talking, get bored of what they're saying, walk away to another group, and jump right in. It's not totally socially unacceptable at a party as people generally do bounce around a bit, but you get the idea. (ntm you can't catch up on what was said before you joined in) In real life you might never be heard, others might be excited to even give a moment for you to speak, and even if they do, they might just continue on as if you had said nothing. This happens in forums when a couplefew members start bickering back and forth and just ignore posts from others, but again you can just go to another thread. It's hard to talk about contrversial topics and ideas in social groups, especially if you have no idea how people in the group feel about it or if *anyone* will agree with you or even accept your view. Here, you can post anything within the TOS and people will discuss it and given the diversity and population size of the membership, chances are someone will support your ideas. I'm not down on real life human interaction, it's quite enjoyable. I was just reading a thread from someone who said they have a really hard time talking to people and if it weren't for the internet they'd have no social life at all. It got me thinking about the differences in communicating online versus in person. There's also the fact that you're hidden. I could be crying right now and you'd never know. I could lie about who I am or create multiple profiles. You can't really do this in the real world, sure you can filter what you show but the proverbial fat old man pretending to be a hot young girl will never fly. Thoughts?
LOL the last part made me laugh.....I enjoy both to a certain degree...Which do i perfer? I cant really say. Iam stumped
i agree. talking online to people is so much easier than sparking conversation in real life. as sad as it sounds i sometimes have my most intellectual and interesting conversations with people who i've never met over the internet. I'm less afraid of being judged over the internet as we are all kind of on an even playing field (ie: just words on a screen). we are taking away the visual elements, which is where a lot of initial judgements come from irl. I've always had trouble communicating effectivley in the real world and have always been the kid in corner without much to say, but i have formed real friendships online and met a few people i've met from forums or myspace back in the day in person and found the conversation was so much more natural and easier to flow after having chatted online first.
I come here to remind myself that things could be worse also alot of you remind me why I lock my car doors when I drive into towwn
One of the problems I have in real life is I often say things I regret later. When I'm posting online, I get to think things over before I post, and can even edit what I said if I change my mind about something. You can do that in real life, but it's more difficult taking back something after you've let loose something you shouldn't have. I like the anonymity of these forums, unlike other social networks where you've publicly identified yourself. Even here with the shield of anonymity, so many people come back asking to have all their posts and their profile removed, simply because they stupidly used their same handle here, elsewhere. We won't do that, btw.
I had the opposite problem when I first joined. I'm loud as fuck in real life but when I first started posting here I was quite reserved. Strange I think.
