Internet haters vs real life friends

[Strat]

Notice how easy it is to rub someone the wrong way online, but in real life 9/10 people are nice folks and you never have problems?

So I'm not exactly dropping knowledge here, we all experience this right? Maybe I'm just a dick on the net? This is certainly possible. This is just something that is interesting to me: I'm a fairly social dude and I never ever have problems meeting and socializing. I'm a friendly guy and everyone loves me. I don't provide evidence as to whether or not I'm a good guy, that's between me and God. Also doesn't everyone hate it when someone pulls that card? At that point it's just an advertisement to your name.

I suppose it's the wit/sense of humor combined with my overall attitude that doesn't translate very well. Also, I am tired 24/7. It takes more energy for me to articulate thoughts than it does for me to speak off the cuff. I like off the cuff, seems more..natural. Kinda like sparring almost.

I don't think there's much of a split in my personality between online vs real life? I dunno.

How about you? Do you act differently online?

[Valerie Villars]

No I don't. I just figure I am what I am and that's all that I am. On or offline. :happy dog:

[Mike]

i don't think you can help but become something of a character online. to begin with, we have usernames, not real names; we have avatars and not pics of our real selves. so right off the bat there's some obfuscation.

then, of course, there's the advantage (for better or worse) of not being face to face with someone. nearly everyone's behavior is going to be different when you know you can get away with murder and face very few consequences. i'm reminded of a funny bill burr skit where he's talking about a hypothetical world with no consequences for our actions or speech, and how he'd just go around trashing everyone (simply because he could). it's an extreme example, but i think there's a part of all us that finds this irresistible, and we're much more likely to exercise this freedom online for obvious reasons.

then, of course, arguments and responses can be thought out and articulated better online. one can appear much more clever than one really is. in physical interactions, arguments can get loud and people can get flustered; people will tend to talk over each other and express themselves clumsily.

online we're avatars - symbols really - and there's a subconscious drive to mythologize symbols. you almost can't help it. so you're going to present a slightly mythological version of yourself in most cases.

symbols are pretty powerful, as are usernames. honestly, when i changed my username to "Mike", which is my name, and began putting up pictures of myself in place of an avatar, i felt distinctly different...and I found that i expressed myself differently too (for the better, i think).

i said this recently in another thread: i wish everyone would use their real first name as a username and pictures of themselves as avatars. the forum would transform almost overnight. it seems everyone's always wondering how to improve the forum - that's how!;) the "haters" you mention would become less and less and our interactions would become more and more authentic, or "real life"-like.

[Valerie Villars]

Mike, we are symbols in "real" life too. Great post.

[Bill Ryan]

Notice how easy it is to rub someone the wrong way online, but in real life 9/10 people are nice folks and you never have problems?


Yes, it's pretty interesting. :)

Exchanges online (forum posts, Facebook, Twitter, text messages) are VERY one-dimensional. All other interpersonal human touches are simply filtered out.

You can't pause in the middle of a conversation and offer someone another cup of coffee (or a beer), or order a pizza to share. You can't pat them on the back, shake their hand, or give them a hug. You can't smile, or look into their eyes, or shrug your shoulders. You can't vary your tone of voice. You have no voice. :)

Emoticons/ smileys/ emojis do NOT substitute for this, as they utilize completely different neural pathways, the same ones as text.

When the small group of two dozen Avalon members actually all meets together for the first time (a couple of weeks from now, in Laughlin (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?105631-An-Avalon-Conference-31-March-2-April-2019)), seeing and talking with everyone else in real life may be VERY interesting. I'd wager than none of them will ever have any kind of disagreement online ever again, no matter how trivial.

:heart:

[AutumnW]

Sparring with someone on a public forum is interesting. Nearly everyone I have had major arguments and a crappy time with, I contact in a pm at some point and we become good buddies. There are usually personal reasons people form the opinions they do that aren't appropriate for public consumption.

But, when you get to know your opponent better and they get to know you better, there is an automatic understanding of and compassion for the experiences that lead us to our differing conclusions. There is also a valuable chance to change our minds in an atmosphere that reduces our defences

So, if someone gets on your nerves send them a pm.

[AutumnW]

Notice how easy it is to rub someone the wrong way online, but in real life 9/10 people are nice folks and you never have problems?


Yes, it's pretty interesting. :)

Exchanges online (forum posts, Facebook, Twitter, text messages) are VERY one-dimensional. All other interpersonal human touches are simply filtered out.

You can't pause in the middle of a conversation and offer someone another cup of coffee (or a beer), or order a pizza to share. You can't pat them on the back, shake their hand, or give them a hug. You can't smile, or look into their eyes, or shrug your shoulders. You can't vary your tone of voice. You have no voice. :)

Emoticons/ smileys/ emojis do NOT substitute for this, as they utilize completely different neural pathways, the same ones as text.

When the small group of two dozen Avalon members actually all meets together for the first time (a couple of weeks from now, in Laughlin (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?105631-An-Avalon-Conference-31-March-2-April-2019)), seeing and talking with everyone else in real life may be VERY interesting. I'd wager than none of them will ever have any kind of disagreement online ever again, no matter how trivial.

:heart:

You are all going to have such a nice time. Am very happy for you all and wish I could travel right now. Maybe next time. :flower:

[Flash]

Notice how easy it is to rub someone the wrong way online, but in real life 9/10 people are nice folks and you never have problems?

So I'm not exactly dropping knowledge here, we all experience this right? Maybe I'm just a dick on the net? This is certainly possible. This is just something that is interesting to me: I'm a fairly social dude and I never ever have problems meeting and socializing. I'm a friendly guy and everyone loves me. I don't provide evidence as to whether or not I'm a good guy, that's between me and God. Also doesn't everyone hate it when someone pulls that card? At that point it's just an advertisement to your name.

I suppose it's the wit/sense of humor combined with my overall attitude that doesn't translate very well. Also, I am tired 24/7. It takes more energy for me to articulate thoughts than it does for me to speak off the cuff. I like off the cuff, seems more..natural. Kinda like sparring almost.

I don't think there's much of a split in my personality between online vs real life? I dunno.

How about you? Do you act differently online?

you are just 33, why are you tired 24/7? I am truly sorry to hear that (face to face, it would be heard).

On the forum, my sense of humour does not translate either, because it is written, and it is not in my culture/language. So it may not translate either face to face.

Apart from that, I do not think there is much a split in my forum personnality vs real life either. But you will all be the judge of that in a few day.

The only think that makes me sad is if I lose the mythology of sexiness in person:blushing: - just kidding. But after Bill's avatar pic on one thread about Flash the sexy superwoman, this has brainwashed you guys and I may like it lolllllllllllllllllllll

Gosh, that is it, I am changing my avatar to that one.

Joking apart, I have met a few members face to face in Montreal. They were all very nice people up to now. Some I had more common easiness with, and one became what will probably be a lifelong friend, even if she is a good 18 years younger. This is absolutely great, HEY Nat'lee!!!

But they were not what I imagined at least physically. Emotionally/intellectually, it was pretty what I had seen on the forum.

There is nothing like meeting face to face truly.

new avatar: a woman can dream

[Bill Ryan]

But after Bill's avatar pic on one thread about Flash the sexy superwoman, this has brainwashed you guys and I may like it lolllllllllllllllllllll

Gosh, that is it, I am changing my avatar to that one.


So great! :sun:

Now you have to post something on this thread: :)


What does your Avalon Avatar mean? (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?106284-What-does-your-Avalon-Avatar-mean)


:focus:

[AutumnW]

Notice how easy it is to rub someone the wrong way online, but in real life 9/10 people are nice folks and you never have problems?

So I'm not exactly dropping knowledge here, we all experience this right? Maybe I'm just a dick on the net? This is certainly possible. This is just something that is interesting to me: I'm a fairly social dude and I never ever have problems meeting and socializing. I'm a friendly guy and everyone loves me. I don't provide evidence as to whether or not I'm a good guy, that's between me and God. Also doesn't everyone hate it when someone pulls that card? At that point it's just an advertisement to your name.

I suppose it's the wit/sense of humor combined with my overall attitude that doesn't translate very well. Also, I am tired 24/7. It takes more energy for me to articulate thoughts than it does for me to speak off the cuff. I like off the cuff, seems more..natural. Kinda like sparring almost.

I don't think there's much of a split in my personality between online vs real life? I dunno.

How about you? Do you act differently online?

you are just 33, why are you tired 24/7? I am truly sorry to hear that (face to face, it would be heard).

On the forum, my sense of humour does not translate either, because it is written, and it is not in my culture/language. So it may not translate either face to face.

Apart from that, I do not think there is much a split in my forum personnality vs real life either. But you will all be the judge of that in a few day.

The only think that makes me sad is if I lose the mythology of sexiness in person:blushing: - just kidding. But after Bill's avatar pic on one thread about Flash the sexy superwoman, this has brainwashed you guys and I may like it lolllllllllllllllllllll

Gosh, that is it, I am changing my avatar to that one.

Joking apart, I have met a few members face to face in Montreal. They were all very nice people up to now. Some I had more common easiness with, and one became what will probably be a lifelong friend, even if she is a good 18 years younger. This is absolutely great, HEY Nat'lee!!!

But they were not what I imagined at least physically. Emotionally/intellectually, it was pretty what I had seen on the forum.

There is nothing like meeting face to face truly.

new avatar: a woman can dream

Oh, that pic. I seriously did look like that once, Flash. Oh how the mighty have fallen-- or fattened in this case!:facepalm:

[Strat]

you are just 33, why are you tired 24/7?

The mind uses a lot of your bodies energy and a worrying mind uses lots of energy. Assuming it's textbook depression?

Honestly I'm not sure how to answer this. I suppose the truth is I have a hard time with life. After I got multiple medical conditions when I turned 16 I just didn't cope well. I literally have the most painful condition known to man (meant to post about it but I already posted bout epilepsy and don't wanna whine too much). How do you tell a 16 year old boy to cope with this? There's no cure or decent treatment, and youll have this the rest your life. Then add the epilepsy.

Epilepsy will **** your mind up bad. It's a 'paradigm shifter'. While that is bad, the headaches are killers. They are called suicide headaches for a reason. I made a video on this a while ago but I took it down cause I'm not trying to be 'that guy.'

I've had depression since 14ish but it developed into bipolar. So basically now I'm a crazy person. I believe it developed because of where I let my mind go when I was in these dark places. I mean when your a kid and you have to lay in bed for 14hrs straight, you cant eat, drink or use the bathroom and your friends keep txting you to come hang out... just not nice place to be. Or the day after a seizure and you have stitches on your face from when you came to and there's blood everywhere, your mother is pressing a washrag to your head and the paramedics are waiting for you to come to.. The headaches are far worse.

So over the years I've become an addict. I kicked hard drugs and now it's just the damn booze. People don't wanna hear complaints from addicts, so I'll keep it to a minimum. Just saying it sucks cause I see how it affects my mother.

EDIT: Oh and I wont be at said event, so I'll just continue to assume youre catherine zeta jones from entrapment

[Flash]

you are just 33, why are you tired 24/7?

The mind uses a lot of your bodies energy and a worrying mind uses lots of energy. Assuming it's textbook depression?

Honestly I'm not sure how to answer this. I suppose the truth is I have a hard time with life. After I got multiple medical conditions when I turned 16 I just didn't cope well. I literally have the most painful condition known to man (meant to post about it but I already posted bout epilepsy and don't wanna whine too much). How do you tell a 16 year old boy to cope with this? There's no cure or decent treatment, and youll have this the rest your life. Then add the epilepsy.

Epilepsy will **** your mind up bad. It's a 'paradigm shifter'. While that is bad, the headaches are killers. They are called suicide headaches for a reason. I made a video on this a while ago but I took it down cause I'm not trying to be 'that guy.'

I've had depression since 14ish but it developed into bipolar. So basically now I'm a crazy person. I believe it developed because of where I let my mind go when I was in these dark places. I mean when your a kid and you have to lay in bed for 14hrs straight, you cant eat, drink or use the bathroom and your friends keep txting you to come hang out... just not nice place to be. Or the day after a seizure and you have stitches on your face from when you came to and there's blood everywhere, your mother is pressing a washrag to your head and the paramedics are waiting for you to come to.. The headaches are far worse.

So over the years I've become an addict. I kicked hard drugs and now it's just the damn booze. People don't wanna hear complaints from addicts, so I'll keep it to a minimum. Just saying it sucks cause I see how it affects my mother.

EDIT: Oh and I wont be at said event, so I'll just continue to assume youre catherine zeta jones from entrapment

So kind and sweet of you Stratt to continue assuming my good look. Thanks.

I am truly sorry that you are that sick. And yes, continuous heavy pain would turn anyone into an addict, or an alcoholic. Sometimes, we should truly not judge addiction. For many, it is coming from so much pain, physical and emotional.

All my heart goes to you Strat.

[Bill Ryan]

[ ... ]

Wow. And Jeez, several times over. :facepalm:

:heart: —> Strat. Really.

[Strat]

And yes, continuous heavy pain would turn anyone into an addict

You know what doesn't help is when the docs prescribe a teenager 60 percocets with refills. The drugging the docs put me through was rough and I don't mean the pain pills. Topamax almost put me in jail or the grave. I have my issues and I joke about being crazy but I'm not, however this drug did make me very paranoid, gave me thought loops (terrifying experience), hyper aggression, etc.

This drives me insane: if the docs give me a drug that makes me crazy and lands me in jail it's no skin off their back. And nobody looks at those finer details, when someone is arrested they are generally judged harshly.

This was when I was younger. Now that I'm 33 it's not hard for me to tell the docs where to shove the pills. I don't say that obviously, but I did genuinely tell my doc the day she takes the drugs she wants to prescribe me is the day I'll try them.

The flip side of all this is when I do meditate as I should I quickly get results. Because of the headaches I was forced into meditation (absolutely nothing touches the physical pain so one must do their best to alter the perception of it). Because of all this I feel as though I can get to higher 'states' or whatever than the average person more quickly.

EDIT: Just remembered, my docs put me on Lyrica for a bit. One interesting side effect was it gave me lucid dreams.

I was in my 20s at the time and at first when I'd have these dreams I'd do what you'd expect of any 20something year old would do... 'self indulgences'. I stopped doing this though, just kinda felt 'off' if that makes sense. So I decided to start doing my own experiments in the dreams.

Long story short it got absolutely wild. Messes with me to this day a bit. It takes a lot of practice, lucid dreaming every night, but if you can pull that off after a while you can strip away the 'dreaminess' of dreams. It then just becomes full reality. It's actually kinda nerve wracking. The more 'clear' the dream the harder to maintain 'lucid dream powers' or whatever.

For instance if I'm lucid dreaming I can start flying around at will. The more I concentrate in the dream, the more the dream becomes clear, then fear of heights kicks in, then I can't fly anymore.

I think I reported these things back in the early avalon days. Maybe a PM to Jake (he still around?) but in one of the dreams a man was standing with me in my back yard, pointing at one area and telling me it was a planting area (or something). That area is full of sapplings! Had a few other experiences like this, neat stuff.

[Mike Gorman]

Notice how easy it is to rub someone the wrong way online, but in real life 9/10 people are nice folks and you never have problems?

So I'm not exactly dropping knowledge here, we all experience this right? Maybe I'm just a dick on the net? This is certainly possible. This is just something that is interesting to me: I'm a fairly social dude and I never ever have problems meeting and socializing. I'm a friendly guy and everyone loves me. I don't provide evidence as to whether or not I'm a good guy, that's between me and God. Also doesn't everyone hate it when someone pulls that card? At that point it's just an advertisement to your name.

I suppose it's the wit/sense of humor combined with my overall attitude that doesn't translate very well. Also, I am tired 24/7. It takes more energy for me to articulate thoughts than it does for me to speak off the cuff. I like off the cuff, seems more..natural. Kinda like sparring almost.

I don't think there's much of a split in my personality between online vs real life? I dunno.

How about you? Do you act differently online?

I think a lot of people adopt a persona online, this is supported by the profusion of anonymous account names, this is something I decided to avoid pretty early on.
When the opportunity to communicate freely became available, I think a lot of people became intoxicated with the potential to say exactly what was on their mind, somewhat like the opportunity that drinking alcohol can give us in social situations.
People have a few drinks, then their 'true feelings' begin emerging, and we have arguments and fights between friends.
This anonymous label we can attach to our identity, it is like a social cloak.
I quickly got over this aspect of online communication, I decided to use my own name, and stand by everything I say, it is quite liberating, and it also provides a more valuable quality to what you communicate.
People think because they adopt an anonymous title, their true identity is hidden, it is a form of cowardice in my opinion, if you are a genuine person, with something to say, let's see who you are.
But yes, this is a fascinating subject, people eh?

[Pam]

you are just 33, why are you tired 24/7?

The mind uses a lot of your bodies energy and a worrying mind uses lots of energy. Assuming it's textbook depression?

Honestly I'm not sure how to answer this. I suppose the truth is I have a hard time with life. After I got multiple medical conditions when I turned 16 I just didn't cope well. I literally have the most painful condition known to man (meant to post about it but I already posted bout epilepsy and don't wanna whine too much). How do you tell a 16 year old boy to cope with this? There's no cure or decent treatment, and youll have this the rest your life. Then add the epilepsy.

Epilepsy will **** your mind up bad. It's a 'paradigm shifter'. While that is bad, the headaches are killers. They are called suicide headaches for a reason. I made a video on this a while ago but I took it down cause I'm not trying to be 'that guy.'

I've had depression since 14ish but it developed into bipolar. So basically now I'm a crazy person. I believe it developed because of where I let my mind go when I was in these dark places. I mean when your a kid and you have to lay in bed for 14hrs straight, you cant eat, drink or use the bathroom and your friends keep txting you to come hang out... just not nice place to be. Or the day after a seizure and you have stitches on your face from when you came to and there's blood everywhere, your mother is pressing a washrag to your head and the paramedics are waiting for you to come to.. The headaches are far worse.

So over the years I've become an addict. I kicked hard drugs and now it's just the damn booze. People don't wanna hear complaints from addicts, so I'll keep it to a minimum. Just saying it sucks cause I see how it affects my mother.

EDIT: Oh and I wont be at said event, so I'll just continue to assume youre catherine zeta jones from entrapment

Strat, in response to the headaches. Are you familiar with the work of Max Gerson? He was a doctor that had amazing results treating crippling headaches with diet alone. There are still practitioners of Gerson therapy and you can get information about that diet online. It would be worth a shot. I am really sorry you have to suffer as much as you do. Speaking from experience, the road of alcohol addiction just keeps getting uglier and uglier.

[Ernie Nemeth]

Sorry to hear you're not feeling well Strat. Your 'abrasiveness' has always seemed like 'straight talk' to me.

I am the same in real life as I portray myself on the internet.

In real life my reputation precedes me so I have less opportunity to be 'who I am now' as opposed to showing up 'as they remember me'. With new acquaintances this is not an issue. With my closest and best friends and family members (daughter, ex, nephew, 2 childhood friends) I can almost 'be who I am' without much opposition or resistance. But even they question what happened to the 'old me' (it's been twenty years now so not as much anymore).

Here at Avalon I have had to move past the 'airing of my dirty laundry', so to speak, many times. It is embarrassing and humbling and moves me down the pecking order to my chagrin - living up to my name is sometimes humiliating. Yet I continue because 'my journey' is what I have to share - nothing else.

I am finally 'growing into my skin', at this age. Until now I have had a very uncomfortable life, in terms of interacting with others. I learned to not care what others think of me, but now I want to temper that because it is not true - I do care.

Flash, to me you will always be provocative - in every sense of the word - love the new avatar!:blackwidow:

[thepainterdoug]

taking all this in mind and knowing the online ease , and pitfalls, I have always practiced diplomacy. and it always again reduces to treating those as you want to be treated.

[AutumnW]

And yes, continuous heavy pain would turn anyone into an addict

You know what doesn't help is when the docs prescribe a teenager 60 percocets with refills. The drugging the docs put me through was rough and I don't mean the pain pills. Topamax almost put me in jail or the grave. I have my issues and I joke about being crazy but I'm not, however this drug did make me very paranoid, gave me thought loops (terrifying experience), hyper aggression, etc.

This drives me insane: if the docs give me a drug that makes me crazy and lands me in jail it's no skin off their back. And nobody looks at those finer details, when someone is arrested they are generally judged harshly.

This was when I was younger. Now that I'm 33 it's not hard for me to tell the docs where to shove the pills. I don't say that obviously, but I did genuinely tell my doc the day she takes the drugs she wants to prescribe me is the day I'll try them.

The flip side of all this is when I do meditate as I should I quickly get results. Because of the headaches I was forced into meditation (absolutely nothing touches the physical pain so one must do their best to alter the perception of it). Because of all this I feel as though I can get to higher 'states' or whatever than the average person more quickly.

EDIT: Just remembered, my docs put me on Lyrica for a bit. One interesting side effect was it gave me lucid dreams.

I was in my 20s at the time and at first when I'd have these dreams I'd do what you'd expect of any 20something year old would do... 'self indulgences'. I stopped doing this though, just kinda felt 'off' if that makes sense. So I decided to start doing my own experiments in the dreams.

Long story short it got absolutely wild. Messes with me to this day a bit. It takes a lot of practice, lucid dreaming every night, but if you can pull that off after a while you can strip away the 'dreaminess' of dreams. It then just becomes full reality. It's actually kinda nerve wracking. The more 'clear' the dream the harder to maintain 'lucid dream powers' or whatever.

For instance if I'm lucid dreaming I can start flying around at will. The more I concentrate in the dream, the more the dream becomes clear, then fear of heights kicks in, then I can't fly anymore.

I think I reported these things back in the early avalon days. Maybe a PM to Jake (he still around?) but in one of the dreams a man was standing with me in my back yard, pointing at one area and telling me it was a planting area (or something). That area is full of sapplings! Had a few other experiences like this, neat stuff.

Strat,

I feel so bad for you with all of your serious and painful health problems. I admire your attitude and strength so much and completely understand becoming addicted to painkillers in the case of extreme pain.

I have only had 4 serious headaches in my life where I wanted to blow my brains out. I felt like I was being tortured. If I had to suffer that on a routine basis, I just can't predict how I would cope. You are doing remarkably well.

If you don't mind me asking, have you been able to extract any meaning from your illness that uplifts you in any way or just makes it more endurable?

[Pam]

Sometimes I see similarities with the way people behave online and the way some act aggressively in their cars. It is just a real easy way to express all the behaviors that one would fear to do in their real life where they have to be accountable for their actions. I think you can learn a lot about yourself by observing how much of a difference there is between the online self and the everyday self. A balanced self realized person is pretty much the same all of the time. Even in everyday life there are those that act very different depending on who they are with. Doing that is actually a form of manipulation.

[petra]

Interesting topic! I've been thinking about 'internet haters' a lot lately, due to some youtube drama where someone screen-capped a hateful comment and included it in their video (with the person's username). Legal action began to ensue because the person who posted the hateful comment didn't want the world knowing he's a homophobe, and that part of the video needed to be removed.

Bottom line # 1 - The hater in question does NOT stand by his word, he's actually ashamed of it
Bottom Line #2 - He's following someone just so he can post hate comments (huge amount of psychology behind this, I'm also guilty of keeping tabs on people I don't like *cough*Trump*cough*)


How about you? Do you act differently online?

Yes, I think that I do.
Online I feel like I get more ability to filter my thoughts. You guys have no idea how much stuff I backspace over or delete. As opposed to IRL if I say something, I cannot easily erase it, so I have to "think slower" to avoid making mistakes.

In regards to rubbing people the wrong way, I do that quite often when talking in person (I call it foot in mouth disorder, ha ha). On forums or talking in text, it's harder to tell how people feel since you can't see their facial expression, so there's times I might have rubbed someone the wrong way and not even known about it. So far so good though, no warnings yet.

[petra]

I have my issues and I joke about being crazy but I'm not...

Thanks for not being crazy :) And also for sharing what your thoughts are like.

When I had to use drugs to stop my toothache, and the pain actually stopped, I remember thinking "I love drugs" and actually laughed out loud. One of my best friends has epilepsy, he needs his drugs everyday, otherwise he'll have a seizure. Another friend is bi-polar, she needs her drugs too, or she cannot function.

I knew you were joking when you said "So basically now I'm a crazy person" - that was really funny :P

[Words of Joy]

I know what I write is in a way so different from what I do in real life. It has also to do with how I feel. If I don't know anyone when I'm in group of people in real life, I'll be more basic type respectful. The more I feel at ease, the happier and opener I become. I find it easier here to open up my mind and share than I do in real life. Some topics just don't land well in some circles or with some persons. So yeah, I often think a lot and let my mind fly with things and never mention it. I feel there's some cowardliness to it, though on the other hand I just don't like to get into discussions too much. Sometimes someone has such a different perspective on life, that I remain shallow to avoid having to explain my understandings.

And that's one of the things I love about being online here. I can let things fly, whenever I feel like it. The company is diverse and broad, with topics that explore the boundaries of life. A great place where I feel respect is given. More than I experience in life when comparing speaking about similar topics.

Online I'm more conscious than in real life though. Here I think about what I write and sometimes rewrite. In real life I'm more flawed I guess. On occasion too fast, too hasty, making mistakes in situations and with people. Always trying to improve though.

[Praxis]

You can't vary your tone of voice. You have no voice. :)



:heart:

I think I would argue that you do have a voice, but it is the same for all the things you are reading: your own internal monologue.

I am not sure about everyone here but when I am reading the things on the screen i do it silently to myself on the inside and it can taint the flavor of how I take it.

If you come to the screen angry, I feel you project that anger onto what you read and how you read it internally.

For example:

Someone says I love you,

You read it sarcastically because you are feeling that way and it comes out that way internally.

What the person intended and how you take it has a disconnect because of your own internal voice.