Do you have an internet persona?

[bailadora]

In another thread, Mac98 made the following comment:

There's this phenomena that happens when you turn your computer on. You fall into your "internet persona". Everyone has this. Me, you, her, him... we all do. We aren't liars, that's not what I mean. What I mean is that out personality skews just a little.

I have to admit, my first reaction was, "Pffft.....please". Because I don't think I act any differently online than I do in my day to day life. But as I thought a bit more about it, I began to wonder if there might not be some merit to idea. I certainly talk more freely here about sexually related topics than I would with most people I come into RL contact with. But maybe that's just a case of knowing my target audience, how well my views would (or would not) be received and not wanting to deal with the controversy.

Anyway, I thought the idea was slightly intriguing and it made me wonder what my fellow Litsters might think. So - are you any different online than you are in real life?

 

[slave_]

I am as I am in real life. I will add a to a post where I would also blush in real life.

I am open sexually in real life, of course depending on those around me... work, certain family members.

I also say what I mean and mean what I say. So as for here, more like, write what I mean and mean what I write. Basically, I do not explicitly flirt with anyone unless I would seriously follow through in real life.

I will have a and a in a post, and that is heartfelt.

All in all, I cannot be anyone but myself. I rather be taken seriously and appreciated, or not, for who I truly am.

 

[culloden]

I definitely talk more about sex here.

And I'm somewhat more argumentative, although I hope not to the point of obnoxiousness.

I suppose I'm like I normally am, only more so.

 

[NippleMuncher]

I'm pretty much the same online or off.

And I'm somewhat more argumentative, although I hope not to the point of obnoxiousness.

So you think ...

 

[NomadLady]

As has been mentioned I am probably more open talking sexually because of the "target audience". Otherwise I'm the same, open, honest, very giving (to a fault I'm told) and try to help others when possible.

I'm not 10 foot tall and bullet proof here or in real life.

 

[Mac98]

Your personality won't change completely. Usually it's an inflation in confidence (which isn't a bad thing unless you start getting conceited and obnoxious). A lot of it comes down to being wittier (due to the fact that you actually have time to think about what you want to respond to a given comment and also that you have absolutely no pressure whatsoever).

As for me, I feel I'm free-er (it's a word!) on the internet than I am IRL. I'm usually shy and reserved in my dad-to-day life and more often than not, I don't engage in disagreements unless I'm really passionate about it. On the internet, I don't mind giving my opinion as much because I know it's safe for me to do so.

Those are minor examples, but everyone does this. Your computer screen becomes sorta like a filter or a safety net.

Be it on Lit, live chat, youtube, blog, facebook. Whatever.

 

[culloden]

I'm pretty much the same online or off.




So you think ...

Yes I do. Got a problem with that?

 

[SamScribble]

Some friends and I had a similar conversation to this over dinner recently.

I reckon people tend to be more narrowly focused online, but that’s because of the nature of the Internet. There are sites specifically for politics, and there are sites specifically for recipes. You don’t go to a political site to discuss recipes, and you don’t go to a recipe site to discuss politics. (Well, yes, I know there are a few people who do. But I’m pretty sure these are people who also have trouble tying their shoe laces.)

Mac, you say that on the Internet you don’t mind giving your opinion. In my opinion, that’s exactly what people want you to do. They may or may not agree with your opinion, but they want to hear (read) what it is.

Incidentally, my friends reckon that, in real life, I’m courteous but opinionated. Whereas online I’m opinionated but courteous. But, hey, what do they know?

 

[qrayze]

lol, when I first got the internet about two years ago, my internet persona was very sexual...it got to the point that sex was all ppl thought I thought about. well, I do, mostly, but I can think of other things too! So, anyways, I've since calmed down to the point where I'm the same online as I am in person. One thing hasn't changed tho; I'm still very open when it comes to sex, experiences, and tips, and I'll answer any sincere question with an honest answer...real life too, lol.

 

[NippleMuncher]

I'm still very open when it comes to sex, experiences, and tips, and I'll answer any sincere question with an honest answer...real life too, lol.

That sounds like a challenge ...

 

[TBKahuna123]

That sounds like a challenge ...

This is a very interesting topic. Personally, as someone who has moderated boards for many years, I've seen the negative side of this phenomenon to the point where I consciously try NOT to fall into that. If I wouldn't say something in real life, I won't say it on the web.

 

[SweetErika]

Great question, B!

I'm a little more shy/quiet IRL than I am on this particular site. But I still have strong opinions and try to be helpful, honest and diplomatic both places because that's my nature. I have my good and bad days in both realms. Sometimes I'm bitchy or blunt here, just like I am IRL.

But I usually try to stick to TBK's philosophy of thinking about what I say before I say it and not saying anything here that I wouldn't IRL (to the appropriate audience, of course).

FWIW, I've been told I many times that I portray myself accurately online, both in terms of personality and appearance. I don't like people who are fake or put on fronts in either realm, so I'm pretty careful about making sure I'm not one of those people.

 

[Noira]

I've been told I sound exactly like people expect me to by my posts, by the people who I've Skyped with. With whom I've Skyped. I go out of my way to present myself as I would talk, to capture my, uhm, my gestures and vocal nuances. I use strange turns of phrase both here and there. But Skype is still the internet.

In reality, I'm a lot quieter than I am online. It takes me a while to warm up to people. So the internet lets me cut out that period of 'getting to know you' and just jump right to how I behave with those I'm comfortable with. Straight out of the box, people would probably peg me as a sub. (WITH LETTUCE AND PICKLES AND LOTS OF HOT PEPPERS, no, you know what I mean.) I'm naturally servile and go out of my way to help people, both online and off. The internet gives me free rein to unleash the sadistic side without having to deal with the consequences of looking like a marshmallow.

So do I have an internet side? I guess. It's just me without all of the awkward gingerly poking to see if people will be comfortable with my perviness, etc.

 

[liv21]

I think in the best of cases, a person's "Internet persona" is a version of themselves that's truer (another real word!) to his or her self-image. The anonymity of the Internet makes it easy to put yourself out there without fear of social stigmas or awkward clashing of personalities. I like to think that's what my Internet persona is like.

Of course, there's a flip side to that. Many people take the opportunity to turn themselves into something completely different. Perhaps they're far more outgoing on the Internet than they are in real life, or more intolerant, or more opinionated or arrogant. It's easy to become a character under cover of anonymity.

As for me? Well sure I talk openly about sex and even post naked pictures of myself (not necessarily something I would do on Facebook). But I don't put on a show about it. I don't turn my experiences into some kind of short stories that could be pulled straight from Lit's library. I don't flirt shamelessly with people just because it's not real life. I don't try to define myself in my posts. I'd rather people just read them and create their own opinions--just like in offline relationships. The Internet, and especially Lit, simply allows me to be more open and honest, which I something I wish I could be in everyday life with everyone.

 

[Mac98]

I think in the best of cases, a person's "Internet persona" is a version of themselves that's truer (another real word!) to his or her self-image. The anonymity of the Internet makes it easy to put yourself out there without fear of social stigmas or awkward clashing of personalities. I like to think that's what my Internet persona is like.

I agree with this a whole lot.

 

[bailadora]

<snip> I don't engage in disagreements unless I'm really passionate about it.

No, really? I'd never have guessed.

If I wouldn't say something in real life, I won't say it on the web.

*nods* This is my MO as well, be it Lit or FB (I don't really have other OL hangouts). I'll vigorously debate a point if I disagree with someone (OL or RL), but I try to do it a civil manner. Unless someone's acting like a donkey. In those cases, I make no promises. Otherwise, I'm pretty quiet in RL and usually don't jump into the conversation unless I feel I have something relevant to add. I did that on here as well.....lurked for quite awhile before I ever posted. When I do post, like Noira, I'll also throw in idioms and turns of phrase I use in my daily speech 'cause I think it helps people form a more accurate representation of my personality. So, all in all I am in RL as I am OL.

 

[Mac98]

No, really? I'd never have guessed.

I swear! It's god's honest truth

 

[coastal-boy]

No, I don't have an internet persona. Why would I? It isn't like I'm trying to impress someone, either here or IRL.

I believe that many people who have internet personas are simply not comfortable with who they are. Of course, that can work the opposite way too...people who have real life personas are not willing to be who they are because of what other people may think or their perception of what they think other people will think. Either in my opinion, is a self-admission that there is something flawed about yourself.

I'm not talking about people who entertain themselves by having a persona...that is something entirely different.

 

[culloden]

I think in the best of cases, a person's "Internet persona" is a version of themselves that's truer (another real word!) to his or her self-image. The anonymity of the Internet makes it easy to put yourself out there without fear of social stigmas or awkward clashing of personalities. I like to think that's what my Internet persona is like.

Of course, there's a flip side to that. Many people take the opportunity to turn themselves into something completely different. Perhaps they're far more outgoing on the Internet than they are in real life, or more intolerant, or more opinionated or arrogant. It's easy to become a character under cover of anonymity.

.

Thanks. You just saved me the trouble of figuring out how to say what you just said.

 

[silverwhisper]

i'm apparently the same whether online or IRL. i've spoken on the phone with (or actually met face to face in a few cases) several people who i first got to know online. i'm told i'm more or less exactly what they expected.

ed

 

[fire_breeze]

Very interesting thread, Bailadora

I'm pretty much the same on-line and off-line. I tend to express myself better with the written word - and always have - so this medium is more conducive for me to communicate more freely. However, like off-line, I'm still very polite, non-confrontational, quiet and diplomatic. I think before I speak (or write as the case may be). I'll make the same comments. Here, on Lit, I'm more open about my sexual life, but that's because it is a sex-positive forum.

In short, I'm slightly more open on-line than off, but that's because the nature of the environment (written word), in which I feel more comfortable in, as opposed to the environment itself.

Oh, and I don't use acronyms and emoticons in my off-line life .

 

[BrazenFellow]

Oh, and I don't use acronyms and emoticons in my off-line life .

You should give it a go. Just leave your tongue hanging out for thirty seconds after making a joke.

I rather suspect those who do use emoticons in real life have been diagnosed as having mental illnesses.

 

[qrayze]

That sounds like a challenge ...

lol...key word being sincere

 

[Mac98]

I rather suspect those who do use emoticons in real life have been diagnosed as having mental illnesses.

The thought of this made me laugh... a lot! Made my day xD

 

[bookwormju]

I guess i`m more direct on here than i would be in real life but i will never lie about myself or my thoughts, i don`t see the point in that