I don't Wish to start a CONTROVERSY...

No axes here..And I hope I don't get any verbal lashing. It is definitely easier to interact online. We don't have as many inhibitions when communicating in the "virtual world". But to be very honest, I am pretty much the same on and offline. I am way too candid and I speak my mind, no matter what, which lands me in trouble more often than not.lol.

I've been sharpening my axe all day waiting for someone to behead and you come along.. wohoo finally my axe gets to have some fun... But no I don't necessarily think being an online socializer makes you an outside zombie. I just think being an online socializer is less stressful and we are all equals unlike in the outside world there is this pattern of social class which makes life boring..

Like you said people seem to open up more on the internet. I guess it is therapeutic like talking to a "shrink", the people on the internet do not tend to pass on what you talk about. It becomes an outlet for some to talk freely about their lives. Then there are some of whom we will never know as they become another personality when talking to people on the Internet. You never really know who they are. They could be males who pass themselves off as women or females who say they are males. You can be whatever or age you want on the Internet.... Some are so shy, the Internet is the only way they can communicate with others.

Well then you shouldn't put such a title in the subject line! Because that's just asking for trouble! LOL I don't know if it is true or not. Like you, I'd rather socialize "virtually". But unlike you, I tend to speak my mind more in the real world, which can get me in trouble sometimes. Online I tend to be more careful and think before I speak...most of the time. I feel more at ease too. Which helps me be relaxed and in turn helps me not come off looking like such a b*tch. LOL Happy mylotting!

It maybe true in some part, it's usually base on some study or survey created by people like them. But i suspect that its done only on a small percentage of online people. I beg to disagree, for i know myself. but for some it may be true. It always differ from person to person.

Nah, lol .. I do not think making yourself available on internet should mean that you are any more timid or shy or introverted than the guy walking down the road with his head bowed down. What matters is the attitude. I will agree, i know many people who completely change personalities in real and virtual world, very much like yourself. But i also know many who are very extroverted and straightforward in real world and i have seen them change in to docile little kittens in the virtual world. Maybe all of us want to see what it is like on the other side. Maybe extroverts want to see what it is like being introverted for a while, maybe introverts want to come out of their shell. Thats the best thing about internet, you can be whoever you want without having to worry much about perception of others. As for me, I am extroverted both online and offline. I do not know why, really, but i know for sure i have never been introverted in my real and/or virtual life. Like i said before, its all about your personality, your attitude. Have a good day (:

In some cases this may be true but not for everyone. Some people may find it easier to communicate online than out in the real world but at the same time, the internet gives people to chance to communicate with people all over the world as well as with people in our areas. It gives us a chance to learn what people are like elsewhere and how things are elsewhere.

I think there is some truth to your ideas. I don't think it is true for everyone, but I know it is true for some. For myself, I know that I have been able to express myself more openly online for a few reasons. Number one is that sometimes, even with people that you know in "the real world" it is easier to send something in writing. I have done this with my sisters a few times lately. It's just easier to complete a thought when you type it out in an email and have to interupptions. You don't have the interupptions or get thrown off track the way you would in a face-to-face or telephone converstion. Then of course, there is the subject of interacting with complete strangers online. It is much easier to be 100% with people that you are likely to never meet. You can truly let your guard down with the idea that there won't be a backlash in your "real" world, because of your beliefs. To be honest, when I first started socializing online, in some ways I was two different people. The person I was online (who spoke my mind) and the person I was in the real world (who ALWAYS thought before I spoke). As time has passed I've learned to be a little more outspoken in the real world and a little more cautious in the online world. The two me's have become closer to the same person. I am still a little more outspoken about certain topics online. Especially politics. It's just easier to be outspoken when you know that certain extremely opinionated and judgemental people can't affect how you are viewed in your particular community. Perhaps that makes me a bit "fake", that I can't always speak my mind in the real world, (in some peoples opinions) but I think sometimes it's wise to keep your thoughts to yourself.

Hi there, I am a pretty quiet person but not an introvert, really. I have friends and all. I say on here, pretty much what I'd say in person to someone. I know that there are some that are probably more themselves on here than they are in real live. Even here you have to be respectful and all. Not everyone is but it is a better experience here if you are.

Normally I don´t like to argu in any way. I learnt from experience that most people don´t change their mind with a discussion. So i just give my opinion when I am asked for that. And some people don´t like to face the truth. About internet my best friends I found online, I work online. Most of my life I do online. And I am not very shy, it just happens that people really show the real online or can be the opposite, some lie a lot. It depends on people.

Probably you are right. online profiles may be genuine, but they are all there with a mask. no one know what each one of them is. he may be bold or may not be. but for some people that suits well. and there is nothing wrong with that. be tactful and diplomatic, but sometimes be a little careless and wreckless. that has its own beauty and distinctness.

Hi bodhisatya, I think what you say is probably true for a lot of people who for whatever reason find it difficult to socialise in real life. For myself this internet chatting is the first time I've really done it and it fits into my current lifestyle quite well but I didn't expect it to become so interesting. I'm as outspoken in real life as I am on here and not at all shy but sometimes I like a break from mixing for the sake of it. Online has been great though for the school holidays as it's been too hot to want to go outdoors so it's given me something to do when it's too hot to even move around, and it's going to be really handy when school starts back and I have those long evenings when I can't go out as my son has to sleep early for school the next day. There is also a wider converstion range available online as opposed to the endless cafenion gossip with its many embellishments. So no axe at all.

Hello Bod, I don't think so, i think you're doing great. i believe that it's okay to socialize outside, but for long we can socialize with different people is probably not that long. this one can be friend now in real life and then betray or disregard you later. as for me, i used to be popular, but am tired of it because i prefer real friends than knowing other people...so, for me it's okay

I think one should have a balance of both. Have "real" friends outside the cyberworld, and then enjoy posting anonymous comments in the cyberworld. Your feelings can come out both ways.

I bet the person who called us timid and introvert doesnt know how to use Internet. . I agree with everything u have mentioned. We tend to be more honest here. We have a social circle outside the virtual world, which can cause us quite a lot of headaches, if we dared to be this honest. In fact, I doubt if anybody in that world is really honest. Everybody wants something from the other so they keep quiet, or everybody is scared like us to voice honest opinions. Here we dont have to fear somebody spreading tales about us and multiplying loss of friends. Ignore them for they dont know what they are saying. . Happy mylotting. :)