Who Are You?
Welcome to the World Wide Web. Where everyone is anyone and all of us are whoever we want to be.
Ever wonder what the actual percentage is of people on the internet who are really telling the truth? Who are really who they say they are?
When posed this question in a public forum, some said they are nothing different in person than they are online. Others said, very straightforwardly, that the internet allows them to be or say whatever they want, and gives them the freedom to "bullshit away". They can assume any identity, claim any career or wage bracket, hell, they can even be 20 if they're 50 and female when they're male. Hiding behind their keyboard and imagination, they can tell any story as if it was their own and no one could ever know.
Now, perhaps this is where I differ... In more than one way.
Many of the friends, (actually, more than half even) that I converse with online, I have met or have an offline friendship with. Chances are good they would know if I was full of shit. On my profile in a major networking (and even matchmaking, thought I'd leave it up anyway...) website, as well as Messenger, my picture is me. Not airbrushed, not enhanced, and not from 6 years ago... Just me. For all the people I speak to that I have not met, I am myself. Biggest reason, I believe our integrity as a person should carry throughout any portion of our lives. If I claim to be an honest person, and then tell someone I assume I'll never meet that I have supermodel measurements, I've really only lied to myself.
Is the internet such a delusion of our existence that we believe it as another world in which we can dwell?
You wanna build a bomb?? Look it up.
You need a... (insert expendable, material device here...)?? Get it off E-Bay.
You wanna fall in love?? Find it on one of the million dating sites... Slideshow style.
You need to get laid?? Do it virtually... Anywhere. Anytime.
Where did people go so wrong in believing everything they're told? 'Oh, I heard it on the news, it HAS to be true.' 'I read it in a magazine, it's a fact.' 'I met him on the internet... We chatted everyday for 6 months. I can't wait to meet him next week, he's my dream man...'
There are numerous websites, news articles, Dateline specials, you name it, focusing on children and the information they are providing online for the whole world to see. They refuse to believe in pedophiles, predators, and people who have serious mental issues... Even sadder, there are people over the age of consent who are just as naive as these children. Believing in everything these "charming" individuals will tell them. Where exactly did society go wrong? Do we need a sign to hang around our necks stating our IQ? "Please don't pick on me, I'm not all that smart, I'm young and need guidance..." Great, now they have a target. My sign? "Fuck off, I'm a cynic, I don't like sexual freaks or liars, I'm not stupid and you can't lure me into your fucked up alternate reality."
I guess my ideal, fantasy world would be of people who could be honest. Or my ideal superpower would be to hear people's thoughts... Then I'd know those who are liars and keep them from my life.
Ever wonder what the actual percentage is of people on the internet who are really telling the truth? Who are really who they say they are?
When posed this question in a public forum, some said they are nothing different in person than they are online. Others said, very straightforwardly, that the internet allows them to be or say whatever they want, and gives them the freedom to "bullshit away". They can assume any identity, claim any career or wage bracket, hell, they can even be 20 if they're 50 and female when they're male. Hiding behind their keyboard and imagination, they can tell any story as if it was their own and no one could ever know.
Now, perhaps this is where I differ... In more than one way.
Many of the friends, (actually, more than half even) that I converse with online, I have met or have an offline friendship with. Chances are good they would know if I was full of shit. On my profile in a major networking (and even matchmaking, thought I'd leave it up anyway...) website, as well as Messenger, my picture is me. Not airbrushed, not enhanced, and not from 6 years ago... Just me. For all the people I speak to that I have not met, I am myself. Biggest reason, I believe our integrity as a person should carry throughout any portion of our lives. If I claim to be an honest person, and then tell someone I assume I'll never meet that I have supermodel measurements, I've really only lied to myself.
Is the internet such a delusion of our existence that we believe it as another world in which we can dwell?
You wanna build a bomb?? Look it up.
You need a... (insert expendable, material device here...)?? Get it off E-Bay.
You wanna fall in love?? Find it on one of the million dating sites... Slideshow style.
You need to get laid?? Do it virtually... Anywhere. Anytime.
Where did people go so wrong in believing everything they're told? 'Oh, I heard it on the news, it HAS to be true.' 'I read it in a magazine, it's a fact.' 'I met him on the internet... We chatted everyday for 6 months. I can't wait to meet him next week, he's my dream man...'
There are numerous websites, news articles, Dateline specials, you name it, focusing on children and the information they are providing online for the whole world to see. They refuse to believe in pedophiles, predators, and people who have serious mental issues... Even sadder, there are people over the age of consent who are just as naive as these children. Believing in everything these "charming" individuals will tell them. Where exactly did society go wrong? Do we need a sign to hang around our necks stating our IQ? "Please don't pick on me, I'm not all that smart, I'm young and need guidance..." Great, now they have a target. My sign? "Fuck off, I'm a cynic, I don't like sexual freaks or liars, I'm not stupid and you can't lure me into your fucked up alternate reality."
I guess my ideal, fantasy world would be of people who could be honest. Or my ideal superpower would be to hear people's thoughts... Then I'd know those who are liars and keep them from my life.
posted by Earth Bound Misfit at 7:53 AM
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