Internet people

[Prowler]

Internet people.

Most of us in here are or have been part of an internet community or two. And have discussed and argued with internet people.

Talking to someone on the internet is a curious thing. On one hand, people tend to be more open and blunter due to not being face to face. But on the other hand, that can lead to more hostile arguments than irl. I notice that, a lot of times, people end up getting a wrong impression of human relationships and how to socialise based on their internet experience. Everyone and their mum is on the internet today, but only a minority(a rather large one tbh) spends enough time online joining several different communities and getting involved in debates/discussions. Also, internet fandoms tend to attract people with social anxiety, autism, aspergers and people who have trouble socialising in general.

So, do you like internet people as a whole? Do you have a difficult time seeing them as "real people" other than mere aliases? Has the internet made you more misanthropic? Thoughts?

[FredWolfLeonardo]

I'm glad you changed your profile picture to Chun Lee here just like in Discord

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by FredWolfLeonardo

I'm glad you changed your profile picture to Chun Lee here just like in Discord

My profile pic on Discord isn't Chun-Li atm though. I changed it some days ago.

[TurtleWA]

I like to think of myself as the same person I’ve always been. Online or offline.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by TurtleWA

I like to think of myself as the same person I’ve always been. Online or offline.

So do I, but it's easier to articulate your thoughts online and to pick a subject to talk about than in real life. In a forum like this one you always have a lot of time to think about what you're gonna say next. You feel less pressured.

[The Deadman]

I have the same personality online that I do in real life.

[TurtleWA]

Originally Posted by Prowler

So do I, but it's easier to articulate your thoughts online and to pick a subject to talk about than in real life. In a forum like this one you always have a lot of time to think about what you're gonna say next. You feel less pressured.

Yeah I hear that. I see how it could apply for some. Like in real life some might be at a loss of words when trying to think of a certain phrase. But on the internet they can quickly google what it is they are trying to think of. You don’t really have that pause as someone is processing the conversation and trying to think of a word. Or needing to have an ice breaker when wanting to start a conversation.

I suppose everyone has their own specific reasons for joining online groups.

I like the internet because I’m able to talk with more people and connect to those with similar interests. I’m in a rural area so I don’t see a lot of people during any given week.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by TurtleWA

Yeah I hear that. I see how it could apply for some. Like in real life some might be at a loss of words when trying to think of a certain phrase. But on the internet they can quickly google what it is they are trying to think of. You don’t really have that pause as someone is processing the conversation and trying to think of a word. Or needing to have an ice breaker when wanting to start a conversation.

I suppose everyone has their own specific reasons for joining online groups.

I like the internet because I’m able to talk with more people and connect to those with similar interests. I’m in a rural area so I don’t see a lot of people during any given week.

That was my primary reason for joining internet forums. In this case, I dunno anyone irl as much into the Turtles as I am. To most people, TMNT is just a nostalgia thing and they can barely remember if the red masked Turtle was Raph or Leo.

[CyberCubed]

For what it's worth, I'm almost exactly the same in real life as I am online. Take that as you will, there's no way for me to change my persona online, it's just who I am. You can't fake this, son.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

For what it's worth, I'm almost exactly the same in real life as I am online. Take that as you will, there's no way for me to change my persona online, it's just who I am. You can't fake this, son.

For a while I used to think you were a gimmick, but tbh, I think I'm starting to believe you. Maybe I'm just os used to you nowadays that I no longer see you as being "odd". You used to be more robotic and machine-like before 2013-2014 or so, when you used to only post in the TMNT sections.

[Powder]

Internet people, like "real life" people, are both awesome & horrible at the same time. It's just a matter of knowing where to go, what to avoid, etc. I have better online friends than local ones, but on the other hand, I've had worse feuds on the internet than in person (at least in terms of longevity, the lengths certain people go to, etc).

I tend to prefer "internet people" on a whole because they're more like me than the average Wal-mart shopper or concert-goer is. You know, introverted, interested in odd/specific things, familiar with obscure media/humor that sorta only has a presence online, & generally into "geek" stuff on a compatibly serious level. It's a lot easier to find counter-culture peeps, whereas in "real life" you find a lot of folks just sorta take what they're given & are practically NPC's.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by Powder

Internet people, like "real life" people, are both awesome & horrible at the same time. It's just a matter of knowing where to go, what to avoid, etc. I have better online friends than local ones, but on the other hand, I've had worse feuds on the internet than in person (at least in terms of longevity, the lengths certain people go to, etc).

I tend to prefer "internet people" on a whole because they're more like me than the average Wal-mart shopper or concert-goer is. You know, introverted, interested in odd/specific things, familiar with obscure media/humor that sorta only has a presence online, & generally into "geek" stuff on a compatibly serious level. It's a lot easier to find counter-culture peeps, whereas in "real life" you find a lot of folks just sorta take what they're given & are practically NPC's.

Good way to put it, especially the bolded last line lol

I pretty much agree with most of what you said.

[plastroncafe]

I credit the internet for the fact that I have more female friends now than at any other point in my life, because it's so damn easy to find lady comicbook geeks online.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

I always got the impression that some people are way worse in real life than they are online, makes me glad I never have to meet them.

[Prowler]

But on the other hand, the internet makes you realise that there's a lot more people who like the same games, tv shows, bands, etc as you do.

For all you know, some people that you work or went to school with liked that stuff, but you never knew.

I remember being a kid and feeling lonely and even like an oddball for nobody irl liking some of the same stuff I did. And also for being rather shy and introverted. I felt like I was the only person like that. then i went online and suddenly saw lots of people similar to me.

Also, it's been years so we kinda take it for granted by now, but it's kinda mindblowing that we can easily chat with someone from the other side of the globe. that would have been impossible in the 80s or early 90s. Unless you met those people through some penpal program on some video game magazine.

[newfan]

As others have said, the good and the bad, these people are all in someones RL. Maybe the overly aggressive just seems more amplified on the net? There are also so many not that way.
Agreed also that we can open up more to those we don't know but then at the same time as Prowler pointed out, people can easily misjudge another persons whole character because we don't know them.

As I said before, I couldn't really talk about TMNT to people I know so I came here, I also like other franchise that people talk about (I at least know a few who like other things I like though) It's good for sharing interests. (as also pointed out)

[Wesley]

Originally Posted by newfan

As others have said, the good and the bad, these people are all in someones RL. Maybe the overly aggressive just seems more amplified on the net? There are also so many not that way.
Agreed also that we can open up more to those we don't know but then at the same time as Prowler pointed out, people can easily misjudge another persons whole character because we don't know them.

As I said before, I couldn't really talk about TMNT to people I know so I came here, I also like other franchise that people talk about (I at least know a few who like other things I like though) It's good for sharing interests. (as also pointed out)

Agreed, though I still prefer talking to people in real life. It is mind blowing that one can talk to another person on the other side of the globe thanks to the internet.

[Vegita-San]

I USED too...

before the current social structure came into play, people where fun to discuss with. people rarely got SUPER angry. and you honestly knew where everyone was coming from.

these days, it's all games for some people. others you never know what they really believe in. yet others seem to get upset at the littlest of things, making a big fuss over nothing. and more often than not, conversing with people online these days is one big headache more than anything and it's one reason why I've tried to reduce my online presence.

i never post on facebook groups anymore. gave that up almost two years ago. I got banned from my first ever message board in 30 years, because the above mentioned people where in control. rather than dealing with the people causing the problem, they chose to get rid of me instead. and I apparently made such an impact on those hateful people that they still seem traumatized by my visit to this day heh.

it's just more of a hassle than it used to be. and even with the ignore button.....there are just more people that seem to annoy one online these days than there is to converse with.
it used to be much more fun and informative.

Originally Posted by Wesley

Agreed, though I still prefer talking to people in real life. It is mind blowing that one can talk to another person on the other side of the globe thanks to the internet.

this much is true

[FredWolfLeonardo]

The vast array of Internet people can also be overwhelming because us humans are tribal by nature.

We will fiercely protect and be loyal to our Clan while shunning and destroying outsiders, which makes it somewhat difficult to get along on Internet places where people have lots of different viewpoints, oftentimes crucial to their morality.

Some online debates/arguements, if translated into real life, would not be much different from Guerilla Warfare

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

The Internet is much better, because you can't be disrupted when talking about a specific topic.