STI wrote on 2011-12-07 06:03
"What's the reason it's easier to connect with people online than in real life?" is the question I pondered while falling asleep last night and the answer finally came to me.
People in real life are more concerned with being everyone else. Personalities and interests define people more on the internet, because it’s the sort of thing that makes them different from what would otherwise be another pretty face; it’s not like people don’t have these depths in reality, just that it’s difficult to express it outside of whatever subculture you feel you belong to. Which many don’t, and many others find a tough barrier to entry.
There’s a certain overwhelming sense of honesty to the internet, that’s usually limited to the intimate in real life. I’ve had more expressive conversations with people from the internet that I’ve met in person, of the sort that would usually require alcohol and a close bond in real life otherwise.
Personality and interests can only take you so far either way though; it’s how you express these that are important. Some people have difficulty with this in real life, while others just have none to begin with. How you discover these personalities is personalized to your experience, and how you meet these people online; you’re not surrounded by the mainstream because you can choose to avoid it, while you’re bombarded with it in real life.
Ithiliel wrote on 2011-12-07 06:44
I have to agree with you 100%. Very well said.
Navy wrote on 2011-12-07 06:44
You are spot on, J, my dear.
Arsik wrote on 2011-12-07 21:55
One of the reasons that it's easier to connect to people online than it is in real life is because online, you can choose to go to places that suit your interests, and meet people that share your interests. In real life, you are pretty restricted to go wherever you want at any time you wish, so most of the time, you're around people that may or may not have the same interests as you, so you don't connect with people as easily as you do online.
Of course, that also makes connecting online a little more dangerous than it is in real life. Online, unless you only communicate through a web cam, you're pretty much communicating with a person through a screen, so you don't have a firmer grasp on what that person is truly like. Unless I've been out of the loop lately, and they invented a program that can show a person's true emotions through text, you really can't tell if a person is sincere about your relationship or not, and then lie about it because of the anonymity of not having their face be seen. Because of that, a person can get hurt by placing their trust into, as well as telling their darker secrets to, someone they thought to be one of their best friends. At least if you're in real life, you can at least question the person's interest in your friendship by their general body gestures.
So while the internet is a great place to meet people with like interests, so that you can talk with them for a long time, I really wouldn't consider it a place to look for that best friend that you can confide all of your trust with. Not saying that everyone on the internet is out to hurt you, nor am I saying that if a person is online they aren't to be trusted, but it is easier to feel secure with someone that you've never met before, because they are so similar to you.