I am one who believes that your "online" personna does NOT

[*bratcat*]

 

[Bob Peale]

I disagree. In fact, it seems that many of the issues people have aired recently have ocurred precisely because there is a disconnect between the two.

There are people who use online to create their own ideal "self", but there are also a fair number of people who simply go online as an extension of their everyday world, the same way they use a telephone or an email.

And as for "revealing" themselves, if what you presented, what initially attracted a person to you, was ungenuine, then how could the other person not feel as if they'd been the victim of a bait and switch?

 

[koalabear]

I disagree. In fact, it seems that many of the issues people have aired recently have ocurred precisely because their is a disconnect between the two.

There are people who use online to create their own ideal "self", but there are also a fair number of people who simply go online as an extension of their everyday world, the same way they use a telephone or an email.

And as for "revealing" themselves, if what you presented, what initially attracted a person to you, was ungenuine, then how could the other person not feel as if they'd been the victim of a bait and switch?

Well said.

 

[*bratcat*]

 

[Bob Peale]

I think even there there are divisions.

There is the group who says certain things to stimulate conversation. In those cases, there is usually a qualifier or a disclaimer that states the purpose of this comment is to lighten the mood, provoke thought, encourage discussion...

Then, there is the group that says them because it reflects how they wish they could be, but don't have the courage or the ability to bring it to bear.

Then, of course, you have the people that are really like that. Oddly, regardless the subject matter, those people are the most comforting because at least you know what you signed up for. I'd much rather know that I am agreeing/disagreeing/debating/discussing something with someone who legitimately thinks and believes what he/she is saying. I don't have to like it, but I can accept it as being what they believe.

 

[Dillinger]

I believe that most people tend to reveal their true persona the longer they are here, no matter what their initial intention is.

Nothing applies 100% to everything, of course. I would hate to think that the yayati's of the net are anything like that IRL - however I do believe that in one form or another they probably are rl shit stirrers.

A person might come online with the intent of creating a new or "false" persona but maintaining such over the long haul would be very difficult and probably quite stressful if they actually began to make friends and care about the people they meet here.

I think Bob Peale has put it quite well in his post above.

For myself - I am very much the same person "in real life" as you see here. I have the same interests, the same way of expressing myself, the same beliefs, the same hopes and desires, the same soul, the same heart.

 

[april-wine]

Wondering who Bratty thinks I am..............

 

[enjoyingitall]

I agree with Bob, online personalities are often just an extension of ourselves. I've met a few people in RL that I first met online, mostly I find that they are basically the same. Most of us are more brazen on line I think. We can express things about ourselves to a degree here that we might not in our daily lives. I don't tend to have conversations about sex with strangers in my every day life, but online it's the norm. Conversations I have with RL friends are very much the same as ones I have online. I think it really depends on what a person wants from online relationships. If you really want to make some friends, make some connection, or enjoy some stimulating discussions, I think you have to be true to your real personality. If someone is online just for sexual gratification, then I guess it would be easier to create a persona just for that.

 

[*bratcat*]

 

[Rambling Rose]

[edited because sometimes it's better to keep them guessing]

 

[*bratcat*]

 

[Guest]

I think however one portrays himself/herself is indicative of their character and personality. One facet may be intensified more so, online, due to the anonymity factor. Another facet may be downplayed as to the need for escape of r/l issues.
In any case, there is a person behind every word. The reality is present- to a greater or lesser degree.

 

[april-wine]

I think however one portrays himself/herself is indicative of their character and personality. One facet may be intensified more so, online, due to the anonymity factor. Another facet may be downplayed as to the need for escape of r/l issues.
In any case, there is a person behind every word. The reality is present- to a greater or lesser degree.

Can i step into your reality..........Mine is kinda boring at the moment..........

 

[AzureAngel]

From my perspective, it depends on the person and how happy they are with themselves.... the more content one is with who they are, the more likely they are to portray that online. That's how it works for me, at least. I have what feels like an inner indicator that flares up when there's some dissonance between what I'm typing and what I'm honestly thinking and feeling.

Now, to the "perceptions as sluts"... well...I think the reason for that is the circumstances. Honestly, I'm very selective with RL partners and quite cautious. There's a lot at stake. Those risks aren't THERE online, so I feel more free to indulge a few fantasies. No STDs, no pregnancies, no abuse, nothing really unwanted. Not that I consider it a replacement for actual intercourse, just that there's a bit more freedom.

It's kind of like fantasising about having a unhealthy but INCREDIBLY tasty feast in front of you and saying, "You won't gain a pound. It won't be bad for your body at all." Now, in reality, I wouldn't eat it. I don't need to die tomorrow. But if those consequences weren't there, I sure as hell would. And there's no pain in pretending.

I almost make sense. *Snickers.* In summary: For myself, I'm pretty close to who I actually am. I'm more open to certain situations, but that's the only difference.

 

[AzureAngel]

Then again, I love role playing. *Chuckles.* Oh, the confusion

 

[Rambling Rose]

It's kind of like fantasising about having a unhealthy but INCREDIBLY tasty feast in front of you and saying, "You won't gain a pound. It won't be bad for your body at all."

So you're here for the buffet, sir?

 

[Guest]

Can i step into your reality..........Mine is kinda boring at the moment..........

You are welcome anytime!

 

[AzureAngel]

So you're here for the buffet, sir?

In a way. *Chuckles.* I'm here for the variety. I tend to be a very slow eater, though, taking far longer than most on one specific course, enjoying it as much as I can. I'll eventually get around to everything, I hope - but not anytime soon. I'd rather it last.

 

[Dillinger]

We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful what we pretend to be. -- Kurt Vonnegut

 

[april-wine]

We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful what we pretend to be. -- Kurt Vonnegut

I am hopelessly smitten by raindancer.............

 

[sunstruck]

From my perspective, it depends on the person and how happy they are with themselves.... the more content one is with who they are, the more likely they are to portray that online. That's how it works for me, at least. I have what feels like an inner indicator that flares up when there's some dissonance between what I'm typing and what I'm honestly thinking and feeling.

Now, to the "perceptions as sluts"... well...I think the reason for that is the circumstances. Honestly, I'm very selective with RL partners and quite cautious. There's a lot at stake. Those risks aren't THERE online, so I feel more free to indulge a few fantasies. No STDs, no pregnancies, no abuse, nothing really unwanted. Not that I consider it a replacement for actual intercourse, just that there's a bit more freedom.

This makes sense to me. For anyone living in an inhibited world, for whatever reason, there is more of a chance to say to hell with the circumstances here, because there aren't really any circumstances.
I don't bother with lies online, I just don't have the time or interest to keep up with them. And I'm more or less the same person here as I am anywhere, but if a perfect stranger walked up to me and asked me some of the questions I've answered for perfect strangers here...no way. That type of freedom simply isn't advisable in the real world.

 

[Guest]

Sending April-wine lots of

Sorry for the hijack..back to regularly scheduled programming..

 

[Ms_Lilith]

I am the same person in all situations, except with my family. I have to pretend to be virginal and sweet with them, because they're Catholic, and anything sexual would be a shame, and something I should be guilty over. I'd rather not hear the sermon again. But with online people, and all my friends, I am the exact same person. I find it hard to be who I'm not, and doig it with my family is enough!

 

[Wiggles]

For me, you only get to see what I put out there, so maybe I am giving you a different idea of who I really am. I don't think it's intentional, it's just what ends up happening.

I really can't fathom how I'm percieved by people around me, or people on the internet, so I couldn't tell you if you're getting the real deal.

I don't impersonate, lie, or exaggerate on here. I come to the internet to explore more of my own mind, and lying would only set me back. Although I do find myself taking on the same traits here that I do in my everyday life, like being quiet and polite. Which sort of pisses me off, cause that's not how I want to be, but I can't change it.

All in all, I'm a very bad actor and I have a terrible memory, so there's really no chance in hell that I could have a double personality.

I don't know why others do it, I really can't understand the compulsion to portray yourself as something you're not. I can understand wanting to be something else, but not the acting.

 

[Hamletmaschine]

I am very rarely "myself" even in RL, so how could I expect to be here. God, how boring that would be--always being "myself."

Socrates' dicta--"know thyself" and "be as you would seem"--are recipes for dullness.