Through the anonymity that the internet provides, do you believe people are more or less true to who they really are? Do they take the opportunity to spin tales about who they are, or do they use the safety of anonymity to express themselves in a way they're reluctant to in person?
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Many believe that people are not their true selves online, but allow me to give some food for thought. A person is typically more true to themselves around good friends, significant others and possibly family. I think it's safe to say that this is because they feel comfortable and secure around these people.
On the internet, someone who is usually quiet and unassuming suddenly becomes a full-blown racist. While many would say that they are being less true to themselves, I believe the opposite to be true. That person may be quiet and unassuming due to discomfort and fear of consequence, but their true colors (in this case, being a racist) shine once that fear is taken away.
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In general, I suspect that it emboldens people and means that aspects of their own personality (that they usually keep in check for real life interactions) will tend to come out. Sure, there are people who are "the same online as they are IRL", but even then, there tends to be an amplification of some/all aspects of their personality. Additionally, anonymity provides an opportunity (for those who are interested or curious to try) to "be someone else" and explore what happens when they act completely unlike their real self. But in order for them to "test run" an alternate personality, that persona has to come from somewhere, and unless they are parroting someone else, it's come from within themselves.
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All of the above, really. It's a more or less risk free way for people to present themselves in any way they want.
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I don't think it actually affects personality. What anonymity does affect is other's perception of that personality. You can see a lot about people that they might never show face to face because of restricting social influences or similar forces.
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I know many here can not be the same way IRL as they behave here. Someone would take them out back and beat the snot out of them. Me though. I am the same online as I am otherwise. I don't know who else to be and have no reason to be anyone other than who I am.
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Edited by DTL: 1/25/2016 5:09:16 PMI think the biggest example is the flagrant use of racial, sexist, and/or homophobic hate speech. Sure.. I'm sure being a general asshole could be another example, but most people aren't afraid to be dicks in the real world either. But very rarely do I ever come across anyone in the real world who's got the sack to say the things a lot of you do from behind your screens. Specifically the racial shit that would have most of you guys swallowing teeth if not for the anonymity you get to enjoy here. But hey.. ITS JUST THE INTERNET!!! ...right?
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[quote][...] do they use the safety of anonymity to express themselves in a way they're reluctant to in person?[/quote] Fits me the best. I'm a lot more awkward in person and I'm practically a hermit.
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I'm trying to make friends outside Facebook by following the same principles. Therefore everyday, I walk down the street telling passers-by what I have eaten, how I feel at the moment, what I did last night, what I will do later, and with whom. I give them pictures of my kids, my dog and of me gardening, fixing my car, having lunch, driving around town, and doing other tasks that anyone and everyone does everyday. I also listen to their conversations, give them 'thumbs up' and tell them I like them. And it works just like Facebook! I already have 4 people following me. 2 police officers, a private investigator, and a psychiatrist.
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I suck so many dîcks online, but IRL, I suck substantially less dîcks. Only one, but it doesn't count cause I said no homo, and it was my own.
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Depends on the person and their real life. I think people that don't have anything going for them in real life tend to act different online & lie. I personally act exactly as I would in real life because I don't care what people think of me (especialy not random people online.)
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Nah, on here (normally in groups) I'm less censored and exaggerate my approvals/disapprovals in general. B.net is where I regurgitate thoughts, no matter how dumb or violent, that I accumulate on a daily basis. As well as dank memes.
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See 4chan.org [i]Drives off into the sunset, treads kicking up dirt behind him.[/i]
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Nani-ni shimasu-ka?
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I am exactly online, who I am in reality. I think it's funny that we have "catfish" issues still today. I mean, internet a been around for 20 years, get used to it.
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Anonymity is like alcohol, it's a social lubricant.
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I'm pretty much the same online as I am offline. I don't think anonymity turns people into dicks.I think they're already that way but the internet gives them a platform to express it in ways they don't have an opportunity to in real life.
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I'm the same asshole I am in real life as I am on the internet
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A lot spin tales and act a lot different than in real life, its because they have a screen infront of them and not a person.
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People are more cruel and confident on the internet cause there are no consequences for their actions.(to a point)
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For some people, anonymity makes people believe that there is no potential consequence to rude actions, others however can use it to be able to actually communicate with people without fear.
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That would possibly vary based on maturity. Some people think that they can evade the consequences of their actions because of anonymity.
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Arby n' the chief Season 7 got it right; "Anonymity corrupts. Turns good people into something horrible and horrible people into something unspeakable."
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Edited by Some Black Guy: 1/25/2016 7:47:58 AMI would hope that everyone behaves as they do in every day life. Sometimes, that's not true.
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I don't know if it effects me at all. I just try to be nice to everyone. I'm compassionate by nature, and I utilize that part of my personality here and anywhere else I come across someone anonymously.
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[i] *puts on an antic disposition* [/i] Aside from internet balls, pretty much the same.
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Well when I'm online I actually talk to people. Something I don't do much of in real life.
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In real life I'm a little bitch But online? I'm a high rolling gangster, heavyweight champion whom everyone fears and respects. My allies praise me, my enemies fear me. At the snap of my fingers (shitpost) I can have one of my boys make you disappear. I'm kind of a big deal. (Online)