The "real world" vs. the "online world"

[fightingsioux]

I'm much older than most posters here, very little experience with online forums, so I've got to ask: what are your opinions as to the difference between the two? Is there a difference anymore? Has the online world become such an integral part of things that it's now all one?

How about relationships? Can one feel that an online relationship--exchanging posts for a long time--is the same as a real-world, physical relationship? Is it?

 

[6ixxy]

I think the difference between telling the two apart solely relies on the users themselves. It's a generation thing so to speak. Younger users have the 'online world' embedded into them from a young age, it's just evolution if you will.
Older generations, such as yourself perhaps (no offence) find it incredibly difficult to comprehend, which I think you'll see translates in every day, such as older people like parents not knowing how to do certain technological things without assistance of a younger person. Don't get me wrong, there will be older generations out there who are clued up in the matter and I mean no offence in any of what I've said, it's just how the world is unfortunately. The age of technology.
However I personally believe that you can form greater and stronger relationships online, hell I've met some amazing people over gaming and even on this forum, people I'd consider to be greater than my 'real life' friends. They both have their differences clearly, one being a mixture of physical and virtual & the other being strictly virtual (unless you plan to meet) which seldom happens I find. Truly it is just a matter of personal preference, some can make internet relationships work better than physical ones.

edit: some anecdotal evidence on the matter-
I had an online relationship with a girl from Netherlands, I'm in the UK. I was 16 at the time and I fell in love with this girl, she was very real & I planned to meet her, so I bought plane tickets to visit & when I told my mother she shot me down, she didn't understand and instantly assumed the worst. I showed her hard proof she was a real person, video call etc and she wouldn't buy it, said it was stupid and silly.

 

[WhyIsLife56]

The real world and the online world aren't that different. Cause there are still shitty people out in the real world but it's also the same for the online world. Since they're all people.

 

[BobbyPellitt]

I think they're quite similar in a sense. The main difference would be that the online world provide anonymity so people can say almost anything they want to. Meanwhile in the real world, people tend to be more careful about what they're saying since it has consequences.

 

[TAW122]

Yeah I would say that the real world and the online world are merging together and while there are some that claim but social media isn't the same as real life, yes to some degree that may be true (on some level), but one thing that is distinct is that online people are protected (physically and even psychologically) behind a screen from the other person. Therefore, what they may not say or do IRL they are more likely to do online since they can get away with it more easily and it becomes less 'personal' when under the protection behind a screen.

So in short, I would say that if people are shitty IRL, it's likely they are shitty online too (vice versa). Some people, especially when superficial, they would appear nice and approachable IRL but behind your back/closed doors they're just judging the hell out of you. Fuck those superficial cunts and bastards, they only further push me closer to wanting to CTB.

 

[MeltingHeart]

I wonder this aswell, where the boundaries are blurred, I can see how people can build & have have relationships/ friendships online that are strong, as the power of the written word and a good dialogue could be said to transcend the physical world. You here of those cases where people first meet online and chat for months before meeting-in some way you could say they build a strong foundation without the constraints of physical appearances getting in the way, pre-judging that they are not your usual type, complications of sexual attraction etc. (though that is kind of a fun part of going on dates-but I guess you can flirt with words). Yet I feel there is so much that is lost online, the power and beauty of body language, eye-contact, how they interact with the physical world around them & other people. Not to mention the value of tone of voice, as a form on expression & communication-whether via humour, asking probing questions, voicing your opinion- without the subtle nuances of how something is said not just what is being said-so many things can be misconstrued & taken out of context. This happens ALL the time on here and everywhere online. Voices and faces are attached to these virtual words and I do think they matter in the end-and least for a truly meaningful human connection.

I think they're quite similar in a sense. The main difference would be that the online world provide anonymity so people can say almost anything they want to. Meanwhile in the real world, people tend to be more careful about what they're saying since it has consequences.

True- this has both good & bad aspects too it! sometimes a little self censorship can be a good thing in certain situations-in this day an age and online- that goes totally out the window-all in the name of 'free speech' (of which I am an advoctae) but nowadays that just seems to be the go to justification for people to be vile to each other.

 

[fightingsioux]

I wonder this aswell, where the boundaries are blurred, I can see how people can build & have have relationships/ friendships online that are strong, as the power of the written word and a good dialogue could be said to transcend the physical world. You here of those cases where people first meet online and chat for months before meeting-in some way you could say they build a strong foundation without the constraints of physical appearances getting in the way, pre-judging that they are not your usual type, complications of sexual attraction etc. (though that is kind of a fun part of going on dates-but I guess you can flirt with words). Yet I feel there is so much that is lost online, the power and beauty of body language, eye-contact, how they interact with the physical world around them & other people. Not to mention the value of tone of voice, as a form on expression & communication-whether via humour, asking probing questions, voicing your opinion- without the subtle nuances of how something is said not just what is being said-so many things can be misconstrued & taken out of context. This happens ALL the time on here and everywhere online. Voices and faces are attached to these virtual words and I do think they matter in the end-and least for a truly meaningful human connection.

"Yet I feel there is so much that is lost online, the power and beauty of body language, eye-contact, how they interact with the physical world around them & other people. Not to mention the value of tone of voice, as a form on expression & communication"

Well-said. Not to mention simple human touch.

 

[Flume]

Peoples true feelings and behaviour come out easier online, apart from that there's no difference.

 

[MeltingHeart]

"Yet I feel there is so much that is lost online, the power and beauty of body language, eye-contact, how they interact with the physical world around them & other people. Not to mention the value of tone of voice, as a form on expression & communication"

Well-said. Not to mention simple human touch.

Indeed! That can sometimes say more than a thousand words-as can a kind & warm well-timed smile.

 

[SinisterKid]

Facetime, Skype, Whatsap, Twitter, Facebook, enable us to communicate in a whole plethora of different ways. I am amazed by the leaps that have occurred over the last 20 years or so. The only way I could contact cousins in Oz and Canada was either write a letter or pick up the phone which cost a arm and a leg or one of us jumped on a plane. Now I can see them and talk to them, for free, anytime I like. So its the best of both worlds, the technology is helping us stay in touch with each other. Thats the positive aspect.

Social media meanwhile is abusing mankind in so many different ways. Sadly, the younger generation are growing up with it and its becoming accepted. Us old fellas are more likely to not fall for the BS because the whole social media platform does not interest us very much. The influence that social media can exert is frightening. Thats the negative.

Hopefully, mankind will eventually find equilibrium with the real world and the online version. They are not that different. But the abuse of rights that large companies and social media constantly get away with has to stop and they must be held accountable.

 

[BipolarExpat]

Since they're all people.

Until they're bot.

I mean....not.

 

[Jean4]

I developed an online relationship here. Wasn't expecting it, but things happen. We were in two different countries. We Skyped, but never physically met.

Despite that fact, I know he loved me and in different circumstances we would have been together. I have also developed several friendships.

We live in a different age. People don't go to dances or what not to meet people. For some, this forum is all we have, and the only way to meet people.

 

[oopswronglife]

People show their true selves in two common situations...online when anonymity protects them from consequences...and when they have power over someone/something (homeless person, employee, small animal whatever....). This is a big part of my depression about life in general, on top of my primary problems of health and pain, that so many people are so terrible. We like to pretend it's "not that bad" because in the real world more people have to hide it to function, keep their job, not get arrested etc. I am not a 100% misanthrope, because I have known some wonderful people, but I'd say I am 90% at least.

I have always been the same person in life as online. I don't troll and think the very idea is pathetic and cruel. I don't take my pain out on innocents because they are easy targets, though I have noticed lately as I am hurting so much both physically and mentally I find myself short of the empathy I think is so very important and sometimes read my words and think "geez you are in a foul mood...maybe just stop talking". I try not to take things that aren't personal as personal but the way most people engage anymore starts out with attacks most often. They punch the person and not the idea. We are all human and all have good and bad moments, but some people seem to thrive in the bad, in Machiavellian ways, in hateful ideologies, in bigotry, and in plain old malice and greed and selfishness.

I have always innately believed in love, empathy, equality, kindness etc and that was nurtured by one very special family member even as the rest lived their largely narcissistic lives. That nature led to my career choices and behaviors in life. That attracted me to others who were the same. But with the internet, and people's freedom to be "who they are", and with ugly/hateful/bigoted ideoligies given the same voice as anyone...society has most definitely show it's ugly face and gotten worse as people are recruited into or find kinship in this ugly beliefs.

Actions mean more than words, but words are actions, and they mean something and cause effects. People can't seem to disagree without making it personal. They can't seem to face their own beliefs and examine them. They just dig in deeper, attack harder, yell louder. And that's how we end up in a world where a reality TV star "leads" a country, mocks teenagers and everyone else on Twitter, steals from charity, brazenly breaks laws and is cheered on, gropes and brags and isn't decried by half the nation, where entire forums exist to circlejerk and hate on genders, religions, immigrants....in general "others" because those others are blamed for whatever the blamer doesn't have and thinks they deserve. We ALL deserve love, kindness, health, happiness. All of us...and not a one of us deserves it at the expense of anyone else. There is enough for all....but too many people want more and don't want anyone else they don't think "deserves" it to have anything. Too many people are just shit...in it for themselves, their stuff, their status...and if they have none of that they are going to make sure others who they can find to punch down on suffer as much as they do.

The internet is essentially distilled down to two things now...."Look at Me" and "Fuck You"

 

[Brick In The Wall]

I was around before the internet and computers really became a thing as well. Alot of times I miss the old days before social media. I feel like people had more of a connection to one another back then. Now it saddens me to see everyone glued to a screen.

The way things are going now the internet has very real effects on the real world. The two are only becoming more and more intertwined. I'm hopeful but also hesitant for the future of the internet and the impact it will have on everything.

 

[MeltingHeart]

Until they're bot.

I mean....not.

haha!!

 

[WhyIsLife56]

People show their true selves in two common situations...online when anonymity protects them from consequences...and when they have power over someone/something (homeless person, employee, small animal whatever....). This is a big part of my depression about life in general, on top of my primary problems of health and pain, that so many people are so terrible. We like to pretend it's "not that bad" because in the real world more people have to hide it to function, keep their job, not get arrested etc. I am not a 100% misanthrope, because I have known some wonderful people, but I'd say I am 90% at least.

I have always been the same person in life as online. I don't troll and think the very idea is pathetic and cruel. I don't take my pain out on innocents because they are easy targets, though I have noticed lately as I am hurting so much both physically and mentally I find myself short of the empathy I think is so very important and sometimes read my words and think "geez you are in a foul mood...maybe just stop talking". I try not to take things that aren't personal as personal but the way most people engage anymore starts out with attacks most often. They punch the person and not the idea. We are all human and all have good and bad moments, but some people seem to thrive in the bad, in Machiavellian ways, in hateful ideologies, in bigotry, and in plain old malice and greed and selfishness.

I have always innately believed in love, empathy, equality, kindness etc and that was nurtured by one very special family member even as the rest lived their largely narcissistic lives. That nature led to my career choices and behaviors in life. That attracted me to others who were the same. But with the internet, and people's freedom to be "who they are", and with ugly/hateful/bigoted ideoligies given the same voice as anyone...society has most definitely show it's ugly face and gotten worse as people are recruited into or find kinship in this ugly beliefs.

Actions mean more than words, but words are actions, and they mean something and cause effects. People can't seem to disagree without making it personal. They can't seem to face their own beliefs and examine them. They just dig in deeper, attack harder, yell louder. And that's how we end up in a world where a reality TV star "leads" a country, mocks teenagers and everyone else on Twitter, steals from charity, brazenly breaks laws and is cheered on, gropes and brags and isn't decried by half the nation, where entire forums exist to circlejerk and hate on genders, religions, immigrants....in general "others" because those others are blamed for whatever the blamer doesn't have and thinks they deserve. We ALL deserve love, kindness, health, happiness. All of us...and not a one of us deserves it at the expense of anyone else. There is enough for all....but too many people want more and don't want anyone else they don't think "deserves" it to have anything. Too many people are just shit...in it for themselves, their stuff, their status...and if they have none of that they are going to make sure others who they can find to punch down on suffer as much as they do.

The internet is essentially distilled down to two things now...."Look at Me" and "Fuck You"

People and humans in general can adapt to different environments but human nature still stays the same. It always has, according to history and anthropology and experiences as a whole.
Not to mention life thrives on chaos.

 

[LegaliseIt!]

I think the difference between telling the two apart solely relies on the users themselves. It's a generation thing so to speak. Younger users have the 'online world' embedded into them from a young age, it's just evolution if you will.
Older generations, such as yourself perhaps (no offence) find it incredibly difficult to comprehend, which I think you'll see translates in every day, such as older people like parents not knowing how to do certain technological things without assistance of a younger person. Don't get me wrong, there will be older generations out there who are clued up in the matter and I mean no offence in any of what I've said, it's just how the world is unfortunately. The age of technology.
However I personally believe that you can form greater and stronger relationships online, hell I've met some amazing people over gaming and even on this forum, people I'd consider to be greater than my 'real life' friends. They both have their differences clearly, one being a mixture of physical and virtual & the other being strictly virtual (unless you plan to meet) which seldom happens I find. Truly it is just a matter of personal preference, some can make internet relationships work better than physical ones.

edit: some anecdotal evidence on the matter-
I had an online relationship with a girl from Netherlands, I'm in the UK. I was 16 at the time and I fell in love with this girl, she was very real & I planned to meet her, so I bought plane tickets to visit & when I told my mother she shot me down, she didn't understand and instantly assumed the worst. I showed her hard proof she was a real person, video call etc and she wouldn't buy it, said it was stupid and silly.

lol—I was waiting for an example involving a wombat...and a womb...I hate autocorrect! (Older member here)

 

[6ixxy]

lol—I was waiting for an example involving a wombat...and a womb...I hate autocorrect! (Older member here)

Wombat and a womb... that sounds like a good setup for a joke. You might be on to something here!

 

[LegaliseIt!]

"Okay, Boomer" I said it so you don't have to!

Early PC design/marketing teams lost a generation of users (The now very elderly) by not creating Graphical User Interface technology earlier. Apple was a bit better at this.
During the 1990's, part of my job was to teach then- seniors how to use pcs, email and internet. The biggest obstacle to learning was fear.
This is a direct result of the amount of people who "tried their cousin's computer once in 1982, and it took 4 hours to dot matrix print a banner—except something went wrong, and my cousin yelled at me."
If older people had worked in an office previously, I would say," Were you scared of the copy machine?"
Of course they'd laugh at me.
"Well, imagine if one weekend your typewriter ran off to Vegas and married your TV.
Don't be afraid. If you click the wrong button, nothing bad is going to happen."
They crazy thing is, after this oddball ice-breaker, they visibly relaxed and started to have fun.
That's just my take on older adults and learning to use technology.
I was 27 when I first used the internet, but shortly after, my job was intensely technology based and have had a good relationship with the internet—now I am offto email my Nigerian prince friend!

 

[MeltingHeart]

lol—I was waiting for an example involving a wombat...and a womb...I hate autocorrect! (Older member here)

whats that about a wombat?!

 

[LegaliseIt!]

whats that about a wombat?!

I tried to send an intro pm to another member with this gif, and the subject line, "sending a helpful Wombat." Because I have arthritis, my finger slipped, and in one smooth move, the subject line changed to "sending a helpful womb" and Post Reply was involved!

 

[MeltingHeart]

I tried to send an intro pm to another member with this gif, and the subject line, "sending a helpful Wombat." Because I have arthritis, my finger slipped, and in one smooth move, the subject line changed to "sending a helpful womb" and Post Reply was involved!

ohh thats cute!

 

[ArtsyDrawer]

It's certainly odd. It's a mask.
I have much less trouble interacting with people online. Offline you'd have to practically torture me to get me to talk. Other times I won't shut up.
Online, however, I speak as much as I feel I need to speak.
The great thing, imo, with forums is that I get some time to think of a response and it wouldn't be weird. Heck, I can go take a shit as I'm typing a response and you'd be none the wiser that I just stopped in the middle of writing a word and went to take said shit. You wouldn't be insulted because you wouldn't know that.
Another thing that I like about the online world is women. It's not the porn women I'm talking about (hell, they'd probably call cops on me for existing in their general vicinity), it's regular women. For whatever reason, I'm afraid of women. I can approach women online, I can speak with them and not feel scared.
Some time ago I met up with another member who happened to be a woman. I was scared as fuck of her. She didn't do anything threatening, mind you. We agreed on a location, I showed up a little late because the cabbie was a bit of an arse, but within the normal area of being slightly late for an offline meeting with a person I previously spoke with exclusively online.
The only thing I could think of "Fuck! A woman! Act normal! What the hell is 'normal' anyway? Just act human, you bastard! FUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCK!!!"
The "date" was far more awkward than you imagine.
Hell, offline I'd be scared of YOU. I mean, since you're older, and thus give have less fucks to give, you (possibly) wouldn't think that approaching a random person to talk about stuff is scary. From my perspective, a gentleman twice my age (no offense) has approached me and is talking to me for whatever reason. We even have a thing in common. Sort of. Even if we had SS conventions, I'd be weirded out because we have so little in common (probably. I don't know) there's practically no reason for you to even feign interest in speaking with me.
Online I can pm you and you would even answer. Maybe. Maybe we even do have a lot in common. The internet makes opening up easier because there's an anonymity mask. I can picture you being closer, more similar to myself, and be less afraid of you. Why I would be afraid of you? I don't even know.
If you were to ask me this question offline, I certainly wouldn't spend these twenty or so minutes producing an answer, I'd choke, mumble something, and hope that it's enough to satisfy you.

As for relationships, that's certainly possible. Tinder and OkCupid are good examples. OK, so one seems to be almost solely a meet-to-fuck app. The latter, though, is a bit more serious and can lead to a relationship with somebody in, say, London, while you're from Israel, like me. Maybe it would even evolve into something more serious.

TLDR: The internet is doing good for the world in terms of expanding the range of conversation and dating... for the most part...
There are some wrinkles to smooth out, though, certainly.
It's certainly odd. It's a mask.
I have much less trouble interacting with people online. Offline you'd have to practically torture me to get me to talk. Other times I won't shut up.
Online, however, I speak as much as I feel I need to speak.
The great thing, imo, with forums is that I get some time to think of a response and it wouldn't be weird. Heck, I can go take a shit as I'm typing a response and you'd be none the wiser that I just stopped in the middle of writing a word and went to take said shit. You wouldn't be insulted because you wouldn't know that.
Another thing that I like about the online world is women. It's not the porn women I'm talking about (hell, they'd probably call cops on me for existing in their general vicinity), it's regular women. For whatever reason, I'm afraid of women. I can approach women online, I can speak with them and not feel scared.
Some time ago I met up with another member who happened to be a woman. I was scared as fuck of her. She didn't do anything threatening, mind you. We agreed on a location, I showed up a little late because the cabbie was a bit of an arse, but within the normal area of being slightly late for an offline meeting with a person I previously spoke with exclusively online.
The only thing I could think of "Fuck! A woman! Act normal! What the hell is 'normal' anyway? Just act human, you bastard! FUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCK!!!"
The "date" was far more awkward than you imagine.
Hell, offline I'd be scared of YOU. I mean, since you're older, and thus give have less fucks to give, you (possibly) wouldn't think that approaching a random person to talk about stuff is scary. From my perspective, a gentleman twice my age (no offense) has approached me and is talking to me for whatever reason. We even have a thing in common. Sort of. Even if we had SS conventions, I'd be weirded out because we have so little in common (probably. I don't know) there's practically no reason for you to even feign interest in speaking with me.
Online I can pm you and you would even answer. Maybe. Maybe we even do have a lot in common. The internet makes opening up easier because there's an anonymity mask. I can picture you being closer, more similar to myself, and be less afraid of you. Why I would be afraid of you? I don't even know.
If you were to ask me this question offline, I certainly wouldn't spend these twenty or so minutes producing an answer, I'd choke, mumble something, and hope that it's enough to satisfy you.

As for relationships, that's certainly possible. Tinder and OkCupid are good examples. OK, so one seems to be almost solely a meet-to-fuck app. The latter, though, is a bit more serious and can lead to a relationship with somebody in, say, London, while you're from Israel, like me. Maybe it would even evolve into something more serious.

TLDR: The internet is doing good for the world in terms of expanding the range of conversation and dating... for the most part...
There are some wrinkles to smooth out, though, certainly.

 

[passenger27]

My biggest problem between the internet and the "real world" are trolls and "internet warriors" who are rude and obnoxious online but wouldn't dare say a peep to you on the street.

I'm 48. I remember when you fought with fists, not with words, and you didn't have to worry if it was just a kid or a rude adult.

I'm not that violent a person. I love poetry as well as you (judging by your avatar). But I must confess there are times I'd love to reach through my pc screen to remind someone they're talking to a real person and not just some automation with no feelings they want to slam for their own personal reassurance that they're a "tough guy." I guess it makes them feel good? I have no idea.

 

[NickStanfield]

Well, I'm 53 and I understand your point. But at the same time, I've been a hardcore IT person since I was a kid. In many ways, I'm a small tiny part of the reason for this online world. I feel the way you feel much of the time and to be honest, I'm lonely a lot these days. I guess every generation feels like this to a certain extent, but the radical shift between our generation and the current one makes it even more obvious.

 

[fightingsioux]

People show their true selves in two common situations...online when anonymity protects them from consequences...and when they have power over someone/something (homeless person, employee, small animal whatever....). This is a big part of my depression about life in general, on top of my primary problems of health and pain, that so many people are so terrible. We like to pretend it's "not that bad" because in the real world more people have to hide it to function, keep their job, not get arrested etc. I am not a 100% misanthrope, because I have known some wonderful people, but I'd say I am 90% at least.

I have always been the same person in life as online. I don't troll and think the very idea is pathetic and cruel. I don't take my pain out on innocents because they are easy targets, though I have noticed lately as I am hurting so much both physically and mentally I find myself short of the empathy I think is so very important and sometimes read my words and think "geez you are in a foul mood...maybe just stop talking". I try not to take things that aren't personal as personal but the way most people engage anymore starts out with attacks most often. They punch the person and not the idea. We are all human and all have good and bad moments, but some people seem to thrive in the bad, in Machiavellian ways, in hateful ideologies, in bigotry, and in plain old malice and greed and selfishness.

I have always innately believed in love, empathy, equality, kindness etc and that was nurtured by one very special family member even as the rest lived their largely narcissistic lives. That nature led to my career choices and behaviors in life. That attracted me to others who were the same. But with the internet, and people's freedom to be "who they are", and with ugly/hateful/bigoted ideoligies given the same voice as anyone...society has most definitely show it's ugly face and gotten worse as people are recruited into or find kinship in this ugly beliefs.

Actions mean more than words, but words are actions, and they mean something and cause effects. People can't seem to disagree without making it personal. They can't seem to face their own beliefs and examine them. They just dig in deeper, attack harder, yell louder. And that's how we end up in a world where a reality TV star "leads" a country, mocks teenagers and everyone else on Twitter, steals from charity, brazenly breaks laws and is cheered on, gropes and brags and isn't decried by half the nation, where entire forums exist to circlejerk and hate on genders, religions, immigrants....in general "others" because those others are blamed for whatever the blamer doesn't have and thinks they deserve. We ALL deserve love, kindness, health, happiness. All of us...and not a one of us deserves it at the expense of anyone else. There is enough for all....but too many people want more and don't want anyone else they don't think "deserves" it to have anything. Too many people are just shit...in it for themselves, their stuff, their status...and if they have none of that they are going to make sure others who they can find to punch down on suffer as much as they do.

My biggest problem between the internet and the "real world" are trolls and "internet warriors" who are rude and obnoxious online but wouldn't dare say a peep to you on the street.

I'm 48. I remember when you fought with fists, not with words, and you didn't have to worry if it was just a kid or a rude adult.

I'm not that violent a person. I love poetry as well as you (judging by your avatar). But I must confess there are times I'd love to reach through my pc screen to remind someone they're talking to a real person and not just some automation with no feelings they want to slam for their own personal reassurance that they're a "tough guy." I guess it makes them feel good? I have no idea.

This is probably one of the most common generational complaints. I have it too.

I had a very busy professional life, sometimes interacting with hundreds of people a day. Sure, once in a while I ran into an angry person, a troubled person, a person who literally enjoys causing problems. Once in a great while somebody might actually get in my face, act up, be aggressively hostile. Everyone has had those experiences, but they're rare. There's certain unspoken public rules of conduct in a civilized society, in existence for millennia; without them we would quickly tear each other to pieces.

On the internet it's an every day occurrence, even hourly. Younger posters are used to this, older are not.

 

[MeltingHeart]

This is probably one of the most common generational complaints. I have it too.

I had a very busy professional life, sometimes interacting with hundreds of people a day. Sure, once in a while I ran into an angry person, a troubled person, a person who literally enjoys causing problems. Once in a great while somebody actually might get in my face, act up, be aggressively hostile. Everyone has had those experiences, but they're rare. There's certain unspoken public rules of conduct in a civilized society, in existence for millennia; without them we would quickly tear each other to pieces.

On the internet it's an every day occurrence, even hourly. Younger posters are used to this, older are not.

Yep, why do these rules go straight out the bloody window in these cases? guess its because people can hide behind the screen, actually quite scary the result of; the mask of anonyimity, combined with the now widely misused excuse/ perversion of the term 'freedom of speech'.

 

[Worthless_nobody]

In my experience whether it's online or in regular life there will always be bad apples. Everyone should use caution no matter what the situation. I see it far too often that people seem to think "irl" is inherently safer and I can attest that it's not. I met many scammers and abusers at one of my old jobs "irl". Right now my only friends are online and I have known them for years so I trust them. I simply cannot connect with or find anything in common with people in regular life in my area.

To answer Ops question if an online relationship/friend ship can be same a regular life friendship in my case I would most definitely say it can. Once you have known someone for years the only difference in my online friendships is distance and not being able to physically see them. But I care about them just as much a some of my previous irl friends. Building trust and exercising healthy caution is important no matter whether online or regular life. I truly wish I could build connections with irl people but I can't seem to so I'm thankful for my online friends so I'm not so totally isolated.

 

[Lethe]

Until they're bot.

I mean....not.

Beep boop be-- err... I mean, hello fellow humans...!


If it wasn't for the online world, I don't think I ever would have had social interactions. I've met some incredible friends over the years. It's an amazing technology really, when you think about it. Probably life-saving for me. 95% of my friendships and social interactions have been online ones. You can easily find people with shared interests, rather than settling for whatever schmucks are around you irl. And as others have said, it's easier to express your true feelings online, which is totally liberating. Keep in mind though, I've always stayed in relatively positive places like forums, Discord, Skype, MMOs, etc. and kept a wide berth away from social media. The few social media I partake in, I only visit once every few months or less.

 

[BlueWidow]

This is probably one of the most common generational complaints. I have it too.

I had a very busy professional life, sometimes interacting with hundreds of people a day. Sure, once in a while I ran into an angry person, a troubled person, a person who literally enjoys causing problems. Once in a great while somebody might actually get in my face, act up, be aggressively hostile. Everyone has had those experiences, but they're rare. There's certain unspoken public rules of conduct in a civilized society, in existence for millennia; without them we would quickly tear each other to pieces.

On the internet it's an every day occurrence, even hourly. Younger posters are used to this, older are not.

Yes, It isn't like the old days when the schoolyard bully had to face you if he wanted to harass you and pick on you. Now people can do it from the anonymity of the Internet, and large groups of people can do it at one time.
It's very easy for us older people (I'm 50) to say, " Why don't they just not read it".
But because younger people have been communicating online for their whole lives, I don't really think they feel like they have the option to " just not read it" in a lot of cases.

It's so sad when you hear of young people ending their lives because somebody bullied them online. I suppose though, a lot of that bullying probably extends to their real life as well and their school environment.

Our society seems to be getting more and more complicated all the time. You couldn't pay me $1 million to be a young person in today's world.