Do you actually care about anyone on the internet?

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: TallBill
I think so. People on here have done me personal favors, and I've returned a few to other people.

That's the thing... some people want to discount everyone they encounter on the net and yet some of these real live people will go out of their way to help you out. How can you not care about them? Probably the same people who turn their backs on old friends when they don't have much contact with them anymore. I can see that pattern.

you're reeeeeeeally reaching there.

i would go so far as to say that you can't predict ANYTHING about a person based on online behaviour.

 

[Zedtom]

I like to think of the internet as being like the freeway. People in cars are different than they are in person. Their driving habits are a projection of their vehicle and they feel insulated from reality.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: TallBill
I think so. People on here have done me personal favors, and I've returned a few to other people.

That's the thing... some people want to discount everyone they encounter on the net and yet some of these real live people will go out of their way to help you out. How can you not care about them? Probably the same people who turn their backs on old friends when they don't have much contact with them anymore. I can see that pattern.

you're reeeeeeeally reaching there.

i would go so far as to say that you can't predict ANYTHING about a person based on online behaviour.

if it hit close to home, sorry.

and you are wrong. there are some people who aren't as they pose on the internet, but that is not a rule.

 

[Patt]

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: Patt
Sure ... but only to a degree. They are few and far between though ... put it this way ... if I'd be willing to meet up with you IRL then I might care, but so far there are only a couple of folks around these parts that I'd make an effort to have a beer with.

yes. like me :beer:

Yes indeed. Like you. :beer::beer::beer:

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: Patt

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: Patt
Sure ... but only to a degree. They are few and far between though ... put it this way ... if I'd be willing to meet up with you IRL then I might care, but so far there are only a couple of folks around these parts that I'd make an effort to have a beer with.

yes. like me :beer:

Yes indeed. Like you. :beer::beer::beer:

you two have met?

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: TallBill
I think so. People on here have done me personal favors, and I've returned a few to other people.

That's the thing... some people want to discount everyone they encounter on the net and yet some of these real live people will go out of their way to help you out. How can you not care about them? Probably the same people who turn their backs on old friends when they don't have much contact with them anymore. I can see that pattern.

you're reeeeeeeally reaching there.

i would go so far as to say that you can't predict ANYTHING about a person based on online behaviour.

if it hit close to home, sorry.

and you are wrong. there are some people who aren't as they pose on the internet, but that is not a rule.

if i knew you were gonna get your panties in a twist by deleting you from my fb friend list, i would have just left you on. it's really not a big deal to me. facebook isn't, and the forum isn't either. i'm sorry it is to you. :beer:

and don't deny that's what this thread is about

 

[ahurtt]

Originally posted by: Zedtom
I like to think of the internet as being like the freeway. People in cars are different than they are in person. Their driving habits are a projection of their vehicle and they feel insulated from reality.

That is exactly the thing I was thinking about. The disembodiment of the actual person from the social interaction leads us to do and say things we'd never do or say to another person face to face. It's simply amazing really how one minute a complete stranger will hold the door open for you on an elevator so you don't miss it even if there's just barely room for you to still fit but then 5 minutes later that same door-holding person behind the wheel of a car will get some kind of demented power trip off of refusing to let somebody trying to merge into their lane get in. I don't know if this stems from the general stress and anxiety we feel from being stuck in or surrounded by heavy traffic or if it's our true nature coming out because we feel insulated from the direct physical consequences of our actions so we feel we can just disregard the feelings of the other person. . .it's something that has often given me pause to reflect upon.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I don't know if it is a yes or no question. I feel bad for people when they say my mom died, my fiance is cheating, etc. Having said that I could easily just turn off my computer and never interact on the net again if it in anyway interfered with my life. I also will laugh at someone and make jokes about their stupidity which I wouldn't do IRL. I don't know is my best answer.

 

[zinfamous]

I've met some great people through the internets.

I also think that that of the people that I flagrantly disagree with on these forums, I'd probably have a blast hanging out with 90% of them.

 

[imported_inspire]

I care to the extent that most folks I meet on the net aren't much more than casual acqauntainces. In all my P&N'ing, I find that, even while I disagree preety vehemently with a lot of folks, we've still been able to be civil w/ each other, for the most part.

I enjoy the discourse on the net, and I enjoy the folks who can be somewhat considerate in their participation. Wouldn't mind having a beer with a good number of folks on here, but I can't say I let any of you really bug me.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

There are a few people I know only through the internet who I care about. Only one or two I would go out of my way for, or that I would consider a friend.

 

[JDub02]

nope. i live in the real world. y'all are just entertainment to help me get through the workday.

 

[Regs]

Sure. I remember giving away my "old" video card when I upgraded to a fellow COD clan member. He was unemployed in Michigan for over a year.

 

[Inspector Jihad]

no, but i'll cybersex with you...

 

[Patt]

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: Patt

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: Patt
Sure ... but only to a degree. They are few and far between though ... put it this way ... if I'd be willing to meet up with you IRL then I might care, but so far there are only a couple of folks around these parts that I'd make an effort to have a beer with.

yes. like me :beer:

Yes indeed. Like you. :beer::beer::beer:

you two have met?

Not yet ...

 

[nerp]

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: kalrith
To some degree I do. There are certain individuals whose opinion I respect, and I wouldn't mind meeting up with IRL. However, at the end of the day, none of these people are a real part of my life. I could easily break off all contact with online acquaintances, and there would be little difference in my life. I can't say the same thing for my friends IRL.

my thoughts exactly

I'd have to say the same.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Originally posted by: Zedtom
I like to think of the internet as being like the freeway. People in cars are different than they are in person. Their driving habits are a projection of their vehicle and they feel insulated from reality.

Digging up the old "information superhighway" jokes again? I think those were overdone back in 1998 . Really though, I think it holds true - a lot of people express themselves differently online than IRL because they do not have to reveal themselves fully, and they don't fully see everyone else.

Back to the topic at hand - sure, I do care about some people on the web. There are people here on AT that I've met for a coffee or a beer, people I've talked to on the phone, and people that I've exchanged PMs with but haven't met (would be cool to someday).

I care about my real-life friends more simply because I see them in person and talk to them more often but that doesn't invalidate my online relationships.

 

[Steve]

I think it's kind of a dick move to turn your back on someone you confided in, or who reached out to be there for you, just because they're an internet friend whom you haven't met IRL yet.


But that's just me.

 

[Miramonti]

Care? Yes. Always talk to them like I care?... I'd be lying if I said I did, but then again its only lying to someone on the internet.

 

[GeekDrew]

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: kalrith
To some degree I do. There are certain individuals whose opinion I respect, and I wouldn't mind meeting up with IRL. However, at the end of the day, none of these people are a real part of my life. I could easily break off all contact with online acquaintances, and there would be little difference in my life. I can't say the same thing for my friends IRL.

my thoughts exactly

I'm the opposite. If I ceased contact with all of my every-day IRL "friends", well, oh-well. If I ceased contact with the friends I communicate with primarily online (though I know most of them IRL, just live nowhere near them), I'd be devastated beyond anything I can currently comprehend.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: TallBill
I think so. People on here have done me personal favors, and I've returned a few to other people.

That's the thing... some people want to discount everyone they encounter on the net and yet some of these real live people will go out of their way to help you out. How can you not care about them? Probably the same people who turn their backs on old friends when they don't have much contact with them anymore. I can see that pattern.

you're reeeeeeeally reaching there.

i would go so far as to say that you can't predict ANYTHING about a person based on online behaviour.

if it hit close to home, sorry.

and you are wrong. there are some people who aren't as they pose on the internet, but that is not a rule.

if i knew you were gonna get your panties in a twist by deleting you from my fb friend list, i would have just left you on. it's really not a big deal to me. facebook isn't, and the forum isn't either. i'm sorry it is to you. :beer:

and don't deny that's what this thread is about

won't deny that is what got me thinking about this thread.

but stop flattering yourself about it, b/c i'm over what you did. i am insignificant, and i told you that's cool.

i'm just wondering if everyone doesn't care like you said you don't. obviously, we aren't alike in that respect.

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: TallBill
I think so. People on here have done me personal favors, and I've returned a few to other people.

That's the thing... some people want to discount everyone they encounter on the net and yet some of these real live people will go out of their way to help you out. How can you not care about them? Probably the same people who turn their backs on old friends when they don't have much contact with them anymore. I can see that pattern.

you're reeeeeeeally reaching there.

i would go so far as to say that you can't predict ANYTHING about a person based on online behaviour.

if it hit close to home, sorry.

and you are wrong. there are some people who aren't as they pose on the internet, but that is not a rule.

if i knew you were gonna get your panties in a twist by deleting you from my fb friend list, i would have just left you on. it's really not a big deal to me. facebook isn't, and the forum isn't either. i'm sorry it is to you. :beer:

and don't deny that's what this thread is about

won't deny that is what got me thinking about this thread.

but stop flattering yourself about it, b/c i'm over what you did. i am insignificant, and i told you that's cool.

i'm just wondering if everyone doesn't care like you said you don't. obviously, we aren't alike in that respect.

man. i can't wait to leave work and get plastered IRL. these e-beers just aren't cutting it. :beer:

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: GeekDrew

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: kalrith
To some degree I do. There are certain individuals whose opinion I respect, and I wouldn't mind meeting up with IRL. However, at the end of the day, none of these people are a real part of my life. I could easily break off all contact with online acquaintances, and there would be little difference in my life. I can't say the same thing for my friends IRL.

my thoughts exactly

I'm the opposite. If I ceased contact with all of my every-day IRL "friends", well, oh-well. If I ceased contact with the friends I communicate with primarily online (though I know most of them IRL, just live nowhere near them), I'd be devastated beyond anything I can currently comprehend.

I think that's a huge distinction though. If my brother were deployed to Iraq and I could only contact him on the internet, then heck yeah it would make an impact for me to stop all online communication with him. The same would go for a close friend moving 1,000 miles away. However, if I've never met someone IRL and only communicate with them online, then it's a completely different situation, and my original statement would stand. In other words, it's not whether the communication occurs IRL or online, it's whether the relationship exists IRL or online.

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: meltdown75
man. i can't wait to leave work and get plastered IRL. these e-beers just aren't cutting it. :beer:

Possible parody threads:

• Do you care more about e-beers or beers IRL?
  
  Which matters more: the size of your e-penis or your penis IRL?

 

[Freshgeardude]

Originally posted by: sutahz
To me, you all are just words.

and pics if she posts any