I've been reading about how online is not like real life and it got me wondering if the majority or minority think like this.

Personally, I think it reflects real life very well. I've had the good fortune of meeting people from online after conversing with them/seeing them post in forums (not here) and have found that MOST are exactly as they are online.

How you treat people online should be how you treat people in real life. Why should there ever be a difference? Being genuine shouldn't be hard.

If you are a respectfully person in "real life" and not online then you lack character.
It's easier to say something mean if you know you'll never have to face that person.

It takes nothing in real life to be polite and even less online. In real life you can't stop reading what they are saying.

In real life there are bullys, agitators, defenders, attackers, sweet people, mean people, helpful people and so on and so on.......
is that any different from the type of person you find online?

Ack, I have a ton of more OPINIONS (MY OPINIONS) on this subject that cover a wide range but I'll leave it to the rest of you to discuss.

* * * This is NOT directed at anyone in specific!!! I firmly believe that everyone has the right to voice their opinion. How they voice that opinion is a different matter!!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not take this as a personal attack on YOU. I don't even know YOU. * * *

oh wow, look there's another staircase for me to hide under...bye bye <grin>

I think that on the web we can behave in the way we really want to. On the web we do not have to wear shirt and tie and we do not have to wear that mask we wear for our boss, for our colleagues, for our family just to be accepted in that terribly intolerant world that we live in. Tolerance is not only tolerating a gay, or an AIDS victim living next door, and definitely tolerance does not equal not being a racist, chauvinist, fundamentalist. Tolerance is accepting the right of other people to be different, look different, behave different and have different opinions, even if we think that what they do or say is wrong.

Tolerance is when when we accept the right of our neighbor to think and say that, let's say, colored people should not be allowed to drive, and understand that we are not against him, but against his opinions. When we accept that he is also a free man and has the right to have such opinions, just like we have the right to have different. That we have the right to condemn his opinions, but we do not have the right to condemn him as a man.

This kind of tolerance is available on the web, A man is not visible there, all we see and may condemn/support are his opinions. Just to clear it out, I am not a racist, although I hate to see when hordes of immigrants are stealing jobs and I wish them all expelled. That's my opinion and it may be discussed/supported/condemned It is your right just like it is my right to have and post it here. But if you think it is a wrong opinion do not condemn me for thinking that way. This is the real thing that kills the freedom of the speech. And tolerance.

PS
Sorry for the long post. I am waiting for my cousin who's train arrives in an hour and just want to kill some time.

Very good topic!
As for me, I am basically the same on the web as I am in real life. I am kind of quiet, but have been known to get off a good joke or two. I am probably one of the most patient people you would want to meet. I try my best not to hurt others feelings,and if I do I will apologize. I don't care who you are, as long as you are genuine. But a large proportion of those out there are not. It all boils down to a matter of trust. Can you really trust someone you have never met--never spent real time with?? Why do people trust these programs that wind up taking money, deleting accounts, etc. Why are these people trusted?? Call me a pitiful person, but I don't even trust my own family. I have been stabbed in the back too many times to be trusting of anyone. The ONLY person in this world I trust is my husband. I don't trust anyone in the "real world" and I most certainly don't online.
As for expression of opinion, anyone can express opinions and should be able to without fear of someone throwing it back in your face. We have a saying here--"I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Opinions are fine, but NOBODY has the right to throw it back at you.
In a nutshell, the internet is not like real life, or at least for me. Yes it is very enjoyable and entertaining. I have spoke with some nice people. But it is still not real life in my eyes

I'm the same as i am in real life, except I have an opportunity online to think more before I speak. Which is sometimes very necessary on some of the forums I belong to.

I do think most of the ppl on the web are the same in person; you can't be a different person one place and different in another. The mask, if you will, is always removed at one point or another.

I find a great deal of intolerance for my faith; being Catholic I seem to be always on the front lines of a battle field here on the web, no matter where i happen to post! The intolerance of my beliefs from others on the web is astounding; the abuse I recieve at times is incredible and I'm so glad not to know these ppl in real life.

I can relate to the tolerance post above. Would like more tolerance for who I am and what I represent, as well as what I believe as a Christian. You have no idea how I as well as other Catholics are treated at times on the web. It's truly incredible.

Though on the net, if one wants to they can pretty much avoid those who don't seem to treat one with respect. I like that aspect.

OMG!!! Can you believe this thread is almost 4 years old? It could have been written today about many threads in General Discussion!






If only we were more tolerant...