Does the internet reflect offline life?

**Mel** · 28th July 2010 12:22 PM

Are internet relationships, interactions and group culture similiar to offline life? In what ways?

**Divine Wind** · 28th July 2010 12:26 PM

Like real life, it depends on the honesty of the participants. Some people live an alter ego on-line just like a cheating husband does by taking his ring off and going into a bar. Others are honest and conduct themselves as they do in any other interaction with friends and neighbors.

**Macduff** · 28th July 2010 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by Mel

Are internet relationships, interactions and group culture similiar to offline life? In what ways?

Sometimes, I actually say oh-em-gee out loud.
I know I deserve a smack for that.

**Mel** · 28th July 2010 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by Divine Wind

Like real life, it depends on the honesty of the participants. Some people live an alter ego on-line just like a cheating husband does by taking his ring off and going into a bar. Others are honest and conduct themselves as they do in any other interaction with friends and neighbors.

Maybe, people unconsiously display another part of themselves on the internet, that they dont usually display offline.

I met a guy a year ago in person, who I knew online for a while. He seemed like a completely different person when I met him offline. He is likeable both off and online though. Online he seemed a bit like an old hippy, but offline he was a young and perky type who I dont think was yet 30 years old. I also met his wife who I had known only online. She on the otherhand seemed exactly the same both on and offline.

**Charles Stover** · 28th July 2010 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by Mel

Are internet relationships, interactions and group culture similiar to offline life? In what ways?

As a whole, or on a person-to-person basis? They're very different in that the anonymity of the Internet causes a lot of social norms to be ignored.

**Mel** · 28th July 2010 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by Charles Stover

As a whole, or on a person-to-person basis? They're very different in that the anonymity of the Internet causes a lot of social norms to be ignored.

True! Sometimes, I get out of the bath and say something to a stranger on the internet before putting on my clothers. Offline, it is always the opposite. I take the time to put something on if before answering a ringing doorbell.

**Macduff** · 28th July 2010 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by Mel

True! Sometimes, I get out of the bath and say something to a stranger on the internet before putting on my clothers. Offline, it is always the opposite. I take the time to put something on if before answering a ringing doorbell.

That's hot.

**Mel** · 28th July 2010 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by Macduff

That's hot.

I am a hundred years old and very fat. So, it is true that everybody will be fancied by somebody.

**Mel** · 28th July 2010 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by Charles Stover

They're very different in that the anonymity of the Internet causes a lot of social norms to be ignored.

Which social norms have you folks noticed being ignored?

**Charles Stover** · 28th July 2010 01:38 PM

I meant more along the lines of social interaction. People on the Internet tend to be more rude and say things that aren't particularly nice, because it doesn't ruin their good name. On the Internet, all it takes is a few clicks, and you're someone else. Imagine if you had a disposable body with which you could do anything for a day. You couldn't die, and nothing done to you would be permanent. The next day, you'd be someone else and nobody would know you ever did anything. That's the Internet, and people take advantage of that situation in their interactions with other people.