That's it - I don't know who you are, but you're a bastard and I'm creating an LJ community so I, and other people you don't know or give a shit about, can talk about you behind your back without your knowing - actually, I kinda hope you find out so you'll be pissed, but if you couldn't care less I don't give a damn! *sniff*
Because people can live inside their heads, with their comfortable opinions, and receive external validation for doing so, it's like having their cake and eating it too - until, of course, they run into a reality check and then it all ends in tears.
I've lost a great many friends because they preferred the soothing inner world of their fantasies to reality, but my remaining friendships are stronger because of it.
I think you hit the nail on the head there. Living on the internet is 'safe'. You can be whoever you want to be and (unless people know you IRL) you are the superstar/hero/victim/onlyonethatmatters and no one has reason to call you on it. Don't get me wrong, there are some WONDERFUL people I have met via the internet... but with that comes the ones who need you just as much as you need them in cyberspace. If they care online, they are clearly a good person and have a reason to live. You NEED them!
I've lost a few people to the internet. The ones who get so wrapped up in their little online world they have created that they don't have time for their real friends anymore, or just don't seem to care as much. All of a sudden you are replaced by "zarg0n35" because they give you *hugs* and tell you that 'it's not your fault...you're a great person' when your REAL friends dare to question something you have done that, in reality, isn't so great.
"I've lost a few people to the internet. The ones who get so wrapped up in their little online world they have created that they don't have time for their real friends anymore, or just don't seem to care as much."
I think the majority of people walk around thinking of themselves as the hero of their own movie.
Maybe that's why I can handle online AND real life. I don't view myself as the hero of my own movie. I see myself as part of the supporting cast in other peoples movies. :-)
I'm a huge believer in Maslow's hierarchy of needs[*] At the top of the pyramid, some people have a need for drama, other a need for power - not everyone meets those needs constructively. I don't believe in fate - I believe in design tolerances. Some people are just out of control and plainly enjoy it that way.
Also, I don't think circle jerks are an internet phenomenon.... people were bitchy, catty, hypocritical drama queens before the internets. Only now, we can sit back and watch even if we don't know any of the participants.
People will be assholes and pretenders no matter where they are. Here it's just much easier to pretend you're not a fat chick or that you are actually a 15 year old virgin (as apposed to being a 45 year old man).
Not to mention, of course that the drama is also further reaching, as I know this conversation is taking place across two continents and at least three countries. (Rather cool, though really.)
"Not to mention, of course that the drama is also further reaching, as I know this conversation is taking place across two continents and at least three countries. (Rather cool, though really.)"
I've never really been able to figure out if it is a good or bad thing but the internet has certainly made my world much smaller.
Comments 36
(The comment has been removed)
M.
Reply
M.
Reply
Reply
Because people can live inside their heads, with their comfortable opinions, and receive external validation for doing so, it's like having their cake and eating it too - until, of course, they run into a reality check and then it all ends in tears.
I've lost a great many friends because they preferred the soothing inner world of their fantasies to reality, but my remaining friendships are stronger because of it.
M.
Reply
Don't get me wrong, there are some WONDERFUL people I have met via the internet... but with that comes the ones who need you just as much as you need them in cyberspace. If they care online, they are clearly a good person and have a reason to live. You NEED them!
I've lost a few people to the internet. The ones who get so wrapped up in their little online world they have created that they don't have time for their real friends anymore, or just don't seem to care as much.
All of a sudden you are replaced by "zarg0n35" because they give you *hugs* and tell you that 'it's not your fault...you're a great person' when your REAL friends dare to question something you have done that, in reality, isn't so great.
Reply
*cough*WOW*cough*
M.
Reply
Reply
i Feel your anger.
Reply
/cockpunch
Reply
Maybe that's why I can handle online AND real life. I don't view myself as the hero of my own movie. I see myself as part of the supporting cast in other peoples movies. :-)
Reply
M.
[*] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy
Reply
I think that if there is a movie, we are ALL supporting cast.
The look on some faces will be priceless come Judgement Day (or
Ragnarok or whatever).
Reply
But I also watch other people's movies.
Reply
Also, I don't think circle jerks are an internet phenomenon.... people were bitchy, catty, hypocritical drama queens before the internets. Only now, we can sit back and watch even if we don't know any of the participants.
Reply
People will be assholes and pretenders no matter where they are. Here it's just much easier to pretend you're not a fat chick or that you are actually a 15 year old virgin (as apposed to being a 45 year old man).
Not to mention, of course that the drama is also further reaching, as I know this conversation is taking place across two continents and at least three countries. (Rather cool, though really.)
Reply
as I know this conversation is taking place across two continents
and at least three countries. (Rather cool, though really.)"
I've never really been able to figure out if it is a good or bad
thing but the internet has certainly made my world much smaller.
Reply
Leave a comment