Online and Offline personality
polycounter lvl 12
So I was wondering about the two different personality's people take on when they are offline (real world) and online. I do it, almost everyone else who uses the interweb does it, but why?
Sometimes I act goofy and try to conjure up a laugh, but not to a level where it hurts someone, the same way I would offline. Some people really put on the Chuck Norris boots and turn quite nasty, in some ways.
Is it a good thing to become a character behind the mask of the internet just for some cheap laughs or nods of approval, or could it be damaging to your offline (hopefully real) personality.
Wondering what you guys think..
Sometimes I act goofy and try to conjure up a laugh, but not to a level where it hurts someone, the same way I would offline. Some people really put on the Chuck Norris boots and turn quite nasty, in some ways.
Is it a good thing to become a character behind the mask of the internet just for some cheap laughs or nods of approval, or could it be damaging to your offline (hopefully real) personality.
Wondering what you guys think..
Replies
Why be "someone else" when you can be you?
But if you grief me while I'm playing, I don't give a shit who you are I will F*&$ing slam your ass!
I think it's definitely becoming more important to be 'yourself' online now with the insane growth of social networking and online communities. We've already heard the stories of people getting fired for stuff they've said on FaceBook/Twitter.
Also, more specifically on communities like Polycount, many of us are building first impressions on here that may come back to haunt us later. For example, if I'm acting like a jackass on here and end up applying for a job somewhere that another forum member works, they may hear of my application and say to their colleagues, 'oh yeah I know that guy, he's a dick'.
Of course it works the other way too I guess, if you become known for being a decent person online then you may already have built a good first impression should you come into contact with those people later.
Agreed, but it's the anonymity that does it. In mostly mature communities like PC, people are generally open to who they are in real life and sometimes use their real names.
It's more the likes of Kotaku commenters, and XBox Live kids that hide behind their 'D0p3ManY2K' tag and feel they are completely anonymous which lets them say things they'd never say in person. It also lets people be people they're not, most outspoken, offensive assholes are probably timid little boys who are scared to leave the house without their Mom in real life.
Remember the uproar when Blizzard said they were going to publish real names on their online communities. People went nuts. Now a lot of people, myself included, were concerned for realistic reasons about privacy. But a lot of people were just scared that they would not be able to behave like pricks anymore.
When you're writing a forum post, that's what you're doing, you've got way more time to think about what you're saying, and you're more focused on it.
In real life you may not react the same way because you don't have enough time to review and consider a topic. The same conversation you had online may happen in a matter of seconds as opposed to the minute or so you took to read a thread, then review your thoughts on it, then post.
I think a lot of it has to do with the "being there" aspect of it. Not to mention when something is said with a subtle smile, a nod, or a wink, which doesn't translate too well online. Key elements like tone are "generally" lost online, and the reader can apply an amplified version of your tone to your text.
It's perhaps not really a good representation of one's self.
I'm probably not as eloquent in an argument offline - I don't have google!
[ame]
I say dumb shit in both realms.
It makes reading text by a person you don't know confusing since you don't really know their personality or intension. Smiley faces improves it a little but usually not enough.
For example, my best friend is a really nice and outgoing person IRL but when chatting with him online, he seems like a real asshole just because of the way he writes. However, if I read his text while imagining him saying it, it makes much more sense.
Anonymity is of course a reason why many people are being direct assholes since there's no real consequences. To me it also seems like many of them have IRL problems and take it out online where they're anonymous.
Paraphrased For Truth!
#MD gets a healthy dose of my online persona; which, for the most part, is me. It's a lot easier to go overboard with the humor in an online setting, however. As far as being mean? I've very rarely been cruel to someone just because I'm hiding behind an internet connection. I think the golden rule still applies when online; at least for me.
I find I am more drunk in person than online.
Also, changing my name to "parnell" was the best thing I did. I don't feel like a renob introducing myself as "modeling_man" at GDC meet ups.
You'll feel way less nerdy if you just use your real name.
B
When I'm online I always stare at the persons chest... it just happens. What can I say? Even if its man-levage its still hypnotizing, yea I'm doing it right now...:poly124:
I have a few friends I've lan'ed and brewed beer with for years and they still call me vig. I still call one of them Pork... it's just who he is.
I guess I should just stick to the script now.
...much less pants.
Unless, like me, your real name is Adam. Then you'll have some stiff name-related competition around here... :shifty:
you're much calmer online than off.
i'm more of an asshole in real life.
there's a few people i fervently hope act differently offline...
I thought It was supposed to be fun shit if not on the web then when?
Everyone has made mistakes if you don't change and learn from It then well your just an a-hole and should accept It.
Am I the only racist sexist homophobic bigot online?
The few people who have met me in person will know that i'm an very quiet guy who usually can't hold a conversation very long, or fucks up in the middle of sentences. (It's quite amusing actually)
Yet online, for some inexplicable reason, I am far more confident in showing my work or saying dumb shit. This can occasionally leak into my person when playing something like BFBC2, which is one of the few times i'll speak up to say things like "OH FUCK OFF YOU CAMPING PRICK!" ..Heh.
Hell my confidence is so bad that I even still constantly kick myself for things I muttered at an interview for a job that I got! Among other examples, that's a pretty fucked up state of mind that I have!
I actually yelled a guy back into his car when he wanted to get into a fight at a street light altercation.
Once when I actually was relaxed enough to start talking normally, all my class mates thought i was DRUNK! Having AS doesn't help either:poly141:.
But online I'm really casual. I don't swear that much, but I am a lot more relaxed and eager to take charge of my team (mainly on L4D). I don't use the mic though, I always sound really emotionless over it
if i had an enormous, animated 'quote for truth' gif with flashing lights all over it, i would use it now.
~ I agree
~ with you
~Bye
except I have alot of people who think im 6 feet tall for some reason...
dunno why
~ I like your style.
btw, Dreamer and Andreas, great style guys!
Instead I just shout at people then shake my first at them
Must go and drink some tiger blood now and then I will be a winner:)
-Oscar Wilde
Anyway, I act differently, apparently, whilst online. But it isn't so much the "online" aspect as it is the "I'm writing" aspect.
When I speak, I can't decorate my words so much as I can when writing. If I use a word like "whilst", or something, people will just look at me weird in real life.
And they probably do online too, but who cares? I'm writing.
As a result, people sometimes think me to be a very serious person. Somehow correct/fancy English = serious, now-a-days. No idea.
As I said, though, it is mostly on facebook or my blog.
I pretty much act myself here, since I know it's important.
But, as a result, sometimes my "know-it-all"ness gets in the way, and I'll say something I think to be completely true, and get completely shut-down by someone who knows more than I do.
But I've been like that since I was born, haha.
I certainly was a victim of that behavior in my earlier "net years". Most people grow out of it. If you play Xbox Live, you can see that a lot of people don't, heh. Just depends on the person.
Hmmm well if your not content with your multiple personas I do happen to be a Mask Salesman. Ho Ho, you see what I did there, ho metaphorical jiggery pokery...