Is this like a huge psychological experiment where they make the point that if we all opened up in real life like we do here all world issues would be solved? *shrugs* Just wondering.
2006-10-07 09:09:46 · 16 answers · asked by Marianne not Ginger™ 7 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Because all of us are, to some degree, are private and concerned about the way other people view us. Would you want anybody to know ALL of your feelings and secret thoughts. No. Nor would you really want to know their inner thoughts. Nor do you want to open up completely to somebody that you know or interact with on a day to day basis. That is not to say that there is any thing evil or amoral about you. Only that we all have our inner selves. Parts that we are not so proud of, parts that we are a bit ashamed of and parts that we are very proud of but don't want to feel that we are bragging when we talk about them. The anonymity of Y/A allows us to throw all of those parts of ourselves out there. With no long term repercussions. So you pissed a lot of people off? So what. Change your name. It is a freedom that we can not have in the real world. Is it healthy? I think a qualified yes is in order. Is it the best way to communicate with other people. Absolutely no. It is but one of many ways for humans to interact. We can all open ourselves up here. But would the world be better if we could all read each others minds? I submit that civilization would collapse within 24 hours. I'm not being sarcastic. Our privacy of thought and social regulations are all that keeps us all from killing each other. Sad but true. But that's just the way it is. Always has been and always will be. Ain't it grand to be a human?
2006-10-07 09:33:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
We open up to some more than others. And being incognito, so to speak, doesn't really portray the real me. People only get a glimpse of who I am in real life.
Some people are just easier to get to know than others and to some you relate better than to others.
I still would not call someone a moron, even though in my mind, after the question or the blog, I think they are but I would not go so far as to express that opinion.
There are always still guards present.
At least that is how it works for me.
People being what they are, no more issues get resolved on here than in real life. That's just the way it is.
But we can let down our hair in here so to speak, be silly and idiots at times, because in real life, we most likely would be much more reserved.
2006-10-07 17:08:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure if we open up more here on Y/A than in reality. We open up differently - in the areas of our life where we feel confident. We send into virtual space waves of a certain length which other can pick up and understand much faster than in reality. To such people I could open up, I could in a real world as well, but how to find them?
Besides, by opening up I show my weaknesses to aim at. I wish I could believe that people, even-or especially- the ones I care for won't take advantage of them but... sometimes we underestimate our naivety and overrate our strength. Here I can erase my profile and disappear, not so easy to disappear in a real world, for some.
Also the lack of time restrictions helps me. I can think for longer before I answer and pluck up the courage to open up:) When I finally will, I won't be confronted by an immediate reaction. I agree on this with Einstein.
2006-10-08 07:18:41 · answer #3 · answered by Feniks 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be that here is a surreal world.
i don't really know you , I don't have to look you in the eye...therefore I won't see rejection,sarcasm,hate or any other emotion directed towards me when I open up.
Not knowing you makes it easier because I can say what I want without fearing the reactions handed out by "real" people.
Writing words down is always easier than talking to people.
An experiment?No....just human nature.
2006-10-07 16:31:17 · answer #4 · answered by Einstein 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's easier because you can be a little geeky and not have so much of an "ewwww" factor to worry about. ;)
I mean, for all we know you might not be the hot babe in your avatar/pic.....for all we know you might make that "Ugly Betty" actress look normal. *lol* Egads. :)) But at least here, it doesn't matter *so* much.
If your words (ideas, opnions, values) rock, they rock. If not, they don't. It is a bit more objective than what goes on in reality, which is that your odds of being *shut out* just on the basis of appearance or for arbitrary and unfair reasons like that, are higher. Reality is more like figure skating, with judges just giving you scores on a whim....
Online is more like speed skating, where there's a clock, laps to run, and you *know* clearly who is winning, who does well and who isn't doing so well.
Just my penny....
2006-10-07 16:27:04 · answer #5 · answered by Bradley P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's easier for us to TRY to open up to people online. I think it's not really the real YOU. It's just bits and pieces here and there in extremes.
Nothing beats meeting ppl at a bar. My two cents...
2006-10-07 16:18:58 · answer #6 · answered by tedhyu 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Crap! "Einstein Pumpkinhead" beat me to the punch again! So lemme just quote a little Pink Floyd now...simply because I wanna quote a little Pink Floyd...
All alone, or in twos,
The ones who really know you,
Walk up and down outside the wall.
Some hand in hand,
Some gather together in bands,
The bleeding hearts and the artists,
Make their stand.
And when they've given you their all,
Some stagger and fall.
After all it's not easy,
Banging your heart against some mad bugger's wall
Ahhhh...now I feel better.
2006-10-07 16:36:42 · answer #7 · answered by gotalife 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I think being anonymous changes the bravo in people. Being a "persona" makes you able to talk to other people about things you wouldn't normally talk about to anyone else. Just like I am answering you. You can't see me so I feel "protected" enough to speak. I think if we could all talk to each other and not show violence when we disagree things would be better.
2006-10-07 16:18:25 · answer #8 · answered by greylady 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, it's because while on the internet people don't see the real "you". On the internet you could act like someone you want to be, someone you really are, or a bit of both. Therefore no one has to know you personaly.
on the internet people can't judge you on your looks....instead on your typing ability =) hope it helps!
2006-10-08 00:36:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is something called the beauty of the virtual.
answers are brain juice... questions are brain fruits...
the garden is perfect, and there are no ugly geniuses or beautiful idiots to look at.
2006-10-07 17:25:50 · answer #10 · answered by Sweet Dragon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋