Hiding behind the anonymity of the net
 

Here's an interesting article: CLICKY

Most of us have gotten into arguments online or posted some nasty comments on a message board at some point. This article raises some good points.

Would you be willing to say some of the things you say (on message boards etc.) if you had to put your name to it? Would you so readily voice your opinion on sensitive or controversial issues?

The only thing that would stop me would be any repercussions for my business interests. I stand 100% by what I post but i would not be prepared for the to be risk my home for the sake of, lets say a nutter on a big brother forum that i don't really care that much about.

Saying that, on another forum where I have been a reg for about 6 years there is all the info you needed to find me if you so wanted. I post as the real me on there and have had people look me up when they were in the area.

If you got into an argument or a heated conversation with another member of the public in real life though, you would not give them your name and address would you? You only give those details to people who you want to have them. Certainly not to people you don't know from Adam.

I can certainly think of a few people on forums etc. who do act in ways they would most likely not act in real life.

For me personally, I tend to behave on forums pretty much exactly the way I would in real life. I respond to threads with my true views (sometimes in a lot of depth!) In terms of talking in an informal manner to others on the net, I am normally friendly and hold a conversation the way I normally would. I do think though that there are some elements people can't see - body-language being a major one - and there are often things you perhaps do in real life that people online couldn't see. For me, what I enjoy most about forums rather than simply chatting is the fact that I actually get the opportunity to voice my views on serious issues. In everyday life, such topics of discussion would perhaps not arise, and wouldn't be thought about.

That's not really what the article is about though Barry. I would say it's more to do with the fact that certain people wouldn't even have the balls to say things to another person in real life, whereas they "act up" on the screen. Or that they will happily state a controversial opinion, but if they were to be asked in front of a group of their peers, they might not have voiced it.

That's how I interpreted it anyway.

No, I know that, and it is very true. Some people throw insults around for the hell of it, but would most probably run a mile in real life. I was just talking about "anonymity". Many issues do arise in everyday life and I would like to think that I stand up for what I believe in, And and have many a time got into heated debates in real life too.

There's only been a few times when I've been really insulting to someone online, and I only do it if I get genuinely annoyed - so I would probably say that in real life too.

However, I know there are a few people who come out insulting people for no particular reason and unless they have serious sociopath/anti-social problems - they wouldn't come out with it in real life. The internet is often seen as something where the boundaries are pushed much farther out than in society. The only real implications of being anti-social is your IP being banned from that particular forum, and then many people go and troll others. Implications in society for this behaviour are stricter and go on a record.

Most people who act up on the internet are insecure in their everyday lives, I reckon. I'm talking about the people who spam, don't follow rules or act up, and call people names on forums. They're unwilling to act up in society, so they find a watered down version (i.e. the net) and use this.

I think i act pretty much like i do in real life but some people do put on a mask when they are online to maybe influence somebody or to impress somebody. Arguments however dont solve anything which is why i stay out of them

I don't think Iv'e ever insulted anyone badly online (have i?)

But I'm a pretty open person and if someone pisses me off in person or online I will argue back.

I agree Sophii3x

Argue if it is necassary, but at the same time, keep your anonymity intact.

Safety, fun and debate all in one sentance :cat:

nodisharmony :angel:

Like Ash I too behave online much as I do in life. I am not overly aggressive and wouldn't intentionally pick a fight!

But I agree that's its far to easy to make yourself something that your not which can, of course, lead to problems.

When I met my partner on this site, one of my old 'so called friends' knew I posted here and joined just to watch us post. Its amazing who lurks and hides behind the anonymity of the net

I know what you mean kizwiz,

I just had a quick look at this forums home page and at the bottom of the screen, there is 45 guests and 4 invisible people watching right now.

Big Brother is watching us :shocked::shocked:

ex-boyfriend, girlfriend, who knows?

Most of the 45 guests are search engine 'bots' - computer programs that travel the Internet indexing websites.

I very much agree with the article that a lot of people say things about other people online that they wouldn't in real life. The anonymity makes people more confident about insulting.

But we don't really 'know' what people can be like - the online personality might only be a small sub-set of someone's whole personality.

I do think that the anonymity can give you more confidence - however I am a cheeky mare in real life, in fact I am far more restrained on here than I am with my pals, and they would vouch for that!!

I vouch for that as well. I have seen the dark side of our little ray of sunshine. The "mod power" makes her all demure and sensible,, but alas, we know better.. :wink:

Seriously though, in real life I am also cheeky, and like to wind people up. I'm sarcastic as well, but I have the charm to get away with it, and that will get me far in life.. :tongue:

It's one thing to wind-up and be cheeky. When people start to get threatening and menacing though, it's just sad really.

Agree with everything you said there Stropz - by the way I so like it that you are back to being Stropz!!!

Yeah, I was getting a bit too mellow for a while there, wasn't I?

i agree soph

I always wondered what the (guests) and the (invisible members) were.

I know that most forums show this and would only assume that it was just non-members looking at our many posts with interest.
____________________________________________
It is easy to insult people on a forum, celebrities/royal's, etc.
Even other members, who may be quite intimidating if you came face to face.

The internet age has changed our lives completely and it really takes up a lot of time, but many enjoy passing that time anyway.
____________________________________________
Knowing what people are really like, is the biggest question of them all.

If someone seems very nice, are they?

I got tricked many times in forums and have realised that sometimes, it is the ones which can come over nice, can usually be the ones that are definately not.

Anonymity is so important and enjoying a scenerio, where everyone is just locked into a computer screen gives us ultimate control.

It is easy to just log off your computer and that is that.

There is a saying about the digital computer age of today:-

(The best friend you could ever have, is the person that you never get to meet)

There is plenty of truth in that and even though it is full of negativity, it can be very true and also wise as well.

nodisharmony :angel:

Invisible Members are Members who dont want to be shown online

I do that sometimes. So I can launch an all out verbal assault on someone using the element of surprise.. :thumbs:

Early on in this I mentioned that on a different forum I am very open about who I am. to the point where other members have looked me up if they are in the area. I forgot to add that some people on there now have started organising a meet up every year in devon. It started when a couple of people found out they were going on holiday to the same area at the same time. I can never make it due to work but I get sent some clotted cream every year.

Another time I was serching for the name of a piece of clasical music from an advert. I got a call at work from one of the members telling me all about it and the best recording to get.

This would never have happened if we had not been so open with each other about who we really are. So yes, you should be sencible, but being open can lead to good friendships to.

I didn't know that, thanks for the info :thumbs:

Something I didn't know :puzzled:

am I losing my touch :dance:

nodisharmony :angel:

I would say the things i say on forums in real life.. but i dont go around being nasty to people on the internet anyway..

People should try not to get upset by comments from someone on the net though.

im just me take mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmme or leae it lol:shrug: