Anonymity causes split on/offline personalities - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered people coming out

Wander · 24th Sep 2008, 05:29 PM

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26837911

The article talks about how friendly, polite people can become rude and obscene when behind the cover of Internet anonymity, or even inside a car or on the phone with a stranger. I particularly like how Ms. Cindy Helgason lifts a joke from the late George Carlin, about names we give to people who drive near us. Shame, Cindy.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure most people here have some experience with this. Anyone want to share some times when you realized the cover of the Internet was having an effect on your personality?

littledinosaurs · 24th Sep 2008, 05:38 PM

I feel like that can be true, but so can the reverse. I find it can be easier to be truthful online and you say what you really want to say/ mean.

Noah · 24th Sep 2008, 05:40 PM

I agree with ^^

Jonathan · 24th Sep 2008, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littledinosaurs

I feel like that can be true, but so can the reverse. I find it can be easier to be truthful online and you say what you really want to say/ mean.

I completely agree.

Nodnarb · 24th Sep 2008, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littledinosaurs

I feel like that can be true, but so can the reverse. I find it can be easier to be truthful online and you say what you really want to say/ mean.

I agree as well.

Also, in "real-life", I really don't show my anger(aside from the yelling match I got into with a couple of women a few weeks ago....in front of a several hundred people....that was embarassing), but on the internet I'm more likely to get mad and be vocal about it.

Derek the Wolf · 24th Sep 2008, 07:00 PM

Some people do tend to change. I'm more friendly in person, but also more sarcastic. You have to be able to appreciate my interesting form of humor.

ccdd · 24th Sep 2008, 07:12 PM

I think I behave better online than I do in front of my friends (not that I'm a horrid person or anything!), in that sometimes I'll get grumpy or something with my friends, but that's something I can't do on EC or online, because you don't know me well enough to forgive me

Vampyrecat · 24th Sep 2008, 07:20 PM

I'm actually not that different I don't think. I'm still blunt - anything I'd say here I'd say to someone's face.

I'm actually still talking to the bible thumpers becky mentioned in the Clay Aiken thread - and they're all deleting their comments because they're ashamed to have their hatred and vitriol up there.

So yeah. I'm blunt. I'm honest. I'm caring. all rolled into one.

gutsrie · 24th Sep 2008, 11:33 PM

yea, i'm pretty much the same online and offline. well, people say i'm really quiet in real life but i have somewhat of a fear of speaking publicly or even privately.

SamAlex728 · 24th Sep 2008, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vampyrecat

I'm actually not that different I don't think. I'm still blunt - anything I'd say here I'd say to someone's face.

I'm actually still talking to the bible thumpers becky mentioned in the Clay Aiken thread - and they're all deleting their comments because they're ashamed to have their hatred and vitriol up there.

So yeah. I'm blunt. I'm honest. I'm caring. all rolled into one.

BIBLE THUMPERS!!!!

good one....

pirateninja · 25th Sep 2008, 12:44 AM

I think I'm nicer online, if I'm typing a response I can read over it and check it says what I want. When speaking IRL, I sometimes don't think aboot what I say, and say some things I regret. I CAN get angry online, as some EC members will know, but yeah, I'm still the same person, but just with a lot more thought into what she says.

Nugget · 25th Sep 2008, 01:22 AM

One of my friends on Yahoo thinks I'm loud and outgoing, when in real life I'm very quiet and reserved… until you get me going.

Grantious · 25th Sep 2008, 01:40 AM

I think i'm pretty much the same online XD, though if ya asked me a few years ago, I'd say that i was totally different online
kinda complected

Lychee · 25th Sep 2008, 05:22 AM

This random girl threatened me online coz I "stole her boyfriend"

Funniest thing ever:

Her: Look, if anything happens between you two, I want you to know, I have friends
Me: I have friends too.
Her: My friends are VERY protective
Me: What, so I'm supposed to feel threatened because you "have friends?"
Her: Aarrghhh
and I block her :]

She must think I have an IQ of like 68

ArcaneVerse · 25th Sep 2008, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lychee

This random girl threatened me online coz I "stole her boyfriend"

Funniest thing ever:

Her: Look, if anything happens between you two, I want you to know, I have friends
Me: I have friends too.
Her: My friends are VERY protective
Me: What, so I'm supposed to feel threatened because you "have friends?"
Her: Aarrghhh
and I block her :]

She must think I have an IQ of like 68

anyways I'm totally different online then in real life, i feel like i cant be 100% myself and I'm always careful about making an ass of myself in real life and im also very quiet and shy but I'm more open and talkative online.

I guess i could be more aggressive opposed to angry online then in real life just because i dont have to worry about people hating me for my views and opinions

interstella · 25th Sep 2008, 11:20 AM

^^
exactly the same here

Steam Giant · 25th Sep 2008, 11:37 AM

The internet certainly has a regular effect on my personality. When online, I tend to be very outgoing and much more assertive. None of you would recognize me in person, in fact ^^

Vampyrecat · 25th Sep 2008, 07:33 PM

Put it this way - I'm so blunt and upfront about everything - I told my teacher he was wasting his time for trying to confuse us with the Extrapolation method of Graphing lines when we can just use Y=mx+c & (y1-y2)/(x1-x2)

He didn't like that.

It's not that I don't like him.. oh who am I kidding - I hate the guy ...but I'm kind of allergic to time wasting and self gratification.

Janvier · 25th Sep 2008, 11:47 PM

I'm pretty much the same online but it's true, I've seen quite a lot of anger/hate/rage on the internet.

Miles D · 25th Sep 2008, 11:57 PM

I basically feel more honest/ say more of what I'm thinking online... in person I it takes me a while to feel comfortable with new people.

24th Sep 2008, 05:29 PM	#1
Wander Banned Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Parents, aunts, grandma, counselor, online friends Location: Central Alabama Age: 18 Posts: 2,360 Join Date: Jan 2008	Anonymity causes split on/offline personalities http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26837911 The article talks about how friendly, polite people can become rude and obscene when behind the cover of Internet anonymity, or even inside a car or on the phone with a stranger. I particularly like how Ms. Cindy Helgason lifts a joke from the late George Carlin, about names we give to people who drive near us. Shame, Cindy. Anyway, I'm pretty sure most people here have some experience with this. Anyone want to share some times when you realized the cover of the Internet was having an effect on your personality?

24th Sep 2008, 05:38 PM	#2
littledinosaurs J'essaie de Parler Français! :] Full Member Gender: Garçon Orientation: Bisexuel Location: Nouvelle-Angleterre. Age: 21 Posts: 2,351 Join Date: Sep 2008	Re: Anonymity causes split on/offline personalities I feel like that can be true, but so can the reverse. I find it can be easier to be truthful online and you say what you really want to say/ mean. __________________ Âllo Là

24th Sep 2008, 05:40 PM	#3
Noah Killer Queen Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Wilde Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Macon, GA Posts: 494 Join Date: Sep 2008	Re: Anonymity causes split on/offline personalities I agree with ^^ __________________ Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. -Scott Adams

24th Sep 2008, 07:00 PM	#6
Derek the Wolf Furry Overlord Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Pansexual Out Status: Majority Location: Illinois Age: 20 Posts: 1,325 Join Date: Jul 2008	Re: Anonymity causes split on/offline personalities Some people do tend to change. I'm more friendly in person, but also more sarcastic. You have to be able to appreciate my interesting form of humor. __________________

24th Sep 2008, 07:12 PM	#7
ccdd Procrastination Queen Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Bisexual Out Status: 30(ish) friends, but mostly closeted. Out to mum Location: UK Posts: 1,009 Join Date: Nov 2007	Re: Anonymity causes split on/offline personalities I think I behave better online than I do in front of my friends (not that I'm a horrid person or anything!), in that sometimes I'll get grumpy or something with my friends, but that's something I can't do on EC or online, because you don't know me well enough to forgive me

24th Sep 2008, 07:20 PM	#8
Vampyrecat "Meow" Said the Cat. Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Lesbian Out Status: Everybody who Matters to me. Location: 1 hour east of Portland, Vic. Age: 20 Posts: 1,622 Join Date: Jul 2007	Re: Anonymity causes split on/offline personalities I'm actually not that different I don't think. I'm still blunt - anything I'd say here I'd say to someone's face. I'm actually still talking to the bible thumpers becky mentioned in the Clay Aiken thread - and they're all deleting their comments because they're ashamed to have their hatred and vitriol up there. So yeah. I'm blunt. I'm honest. I'm caring. all rolled into one. __________________ Call me Tess. Hey lets all eat chocolate!!!!!!!!!! Nom nom nom. Is the EC Gf of Heatqueen. Telly forever

24th Sep 2008, 11:33 PM	#9
gutsrie EC's Biggest Creep Full Member Gender: Guy Orientation: Gay Out Status: Ask and I'll tell Location: California Age: 26 Posts: 246 Join Date: Jul 2008	Re: Anonymity causes split on/offline personalities yea, i'm pretty much the same online and offline. well, people say i'm really quiet in real life but i have somewhat of a fear of speaking publicly or even privately.

25th Sep 2008, 12:44 AM	#11
pirateninja EC's Sailor Uranus Full Member Gender: Biologically Female Orientation: Heterosexually Challenged Out Status: Most people Location: Bath, England Age: 21 Posts: 5,853 Join Date: Sep 2007	Re: Anonymity causes split on/offline personalities I think I'm nicer online, if I'm typing a response I can read over it and check it says what I want. When speaking IRL, I sometimes don't think aboot what I say, and say some things I regret. I CAN get angry online, as some EC members will know, but yeah, I'm still the same person, but just with a lot more thought into what she says. __________________ Holly the Pirateninja Ars Longa, Vita Brevis.

25th Sep 2008, 01:22 AM	#12
Nugget No Artificial Preservatives Regular Member Gender: Female Location: Northeast Posts: 389 Join Date: Sep 2008	Re: Anonymity causes split on/offline personalities One of my friends on Yahoo thinks I'm loud and outgoing, when in real life I'm very quiet and reserved… until you get me going.

25th Sep 2008, 01:40 AM	#13
Grantious <3 Be Happy. Steph n Mel 4 eva <3 Full Member Gender: Dude :-P Orientation: Gay... Straight up Gay lol Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Australia, Melbourne Age: 22 Posts: 682 Join Date: Dec 2007	Re: Anonymity causes split on/offline personalities I think i'm pretty much the same online XD, though if ya asked me a few years ago, I'd say that i was totally different online kinda complected __________________ Current Fav Movie/TV Quote. ( Random Much ) "This is my late mother Fey Sommers secret sex room, this was made for lazy afternoons that blurred the line between pleasure and pain, it is not a place for salads" <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

25th Sep 2008, 05:22 AM	#14
Lychee EC Addict Full Member Gender: Spazmatazz Orientation: Friendspage Location: Contrabassoon Posts: 1,739 Join Date: Aug 2008	Re: Anonymity causes split on/offline personalities This random girl threatened me online coz I "stole her boyfriend" Funniest thing ever: Her: Look, if anything happens between you two, I want you to know, I have friends Me: I have friends too. Her: My friends are VERY protective Me: What, so I'm supposed to feel threatened because you "have friends?" Her: Aarrghhh and I block her :] She must think I have an IQ of like 68 __________________ We we we so excited.

25th Sep 2008, 11:20 AM	#16
interstella Don't call me GaGa... Full Member Gender: Genderqueer Orientation: Queer Out Status: Everyone Location: London, UK Age: 18 Posts: 700 Join Date: Feb 2008	Re: Anonymity causes split on/offline personalities ^^ exactly the same here __________________ Lesbian? Gay? Bisexual? Transgender? Queer? Whatever.

25th Sep 2008, 11:37 AM	#17
Steam Giant EC Addict Full Member Gender: Transgender - MtF Orientation: Interested in men Out Status: As bi: out to everyone; As trans: 2 Location: Northeastern Pennsylvania, USA Age: 29 Posts: 2,044 Join Date: Apr 2007	Re: Anonymity causes split on/offline personalities The internet certainly has a regular effect on my personality. When online, I tend to be very outgoing and much more assertive. None of you would recognize me in person, in fact ^^ __________________ Started Estrogen and Spironolactone on May 2, 2011

25th Sep 2008, 07:33 PM	#18
Vampyrecat "Meow" Said the Cat. Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Lesbian Out Status: Everybody who Matters to me. Location: 1 hour east of Portland, Vic. Age: 20 Posts: 1,622 Join Date: Jul 2007	Re: Anonymity causes split on/offline personalities Put it this way - I'm so blunt and upfront about everything - I told my teacher he was wasting his time for trying to confuse us with the Extrapolation method of Graphing lines when we can just use Y=mx+c & (y1-y2)/(x1-x2) He didn't like that. It's not that I don't like him.. oh who am I kidding - I hate the guy ...but I'm kind of allergic to time wasting and self gratification. __________________ Call me Tess. Hey lets all eat chocolate!!!!!!!!!! Nom nom nom. Is the EC Gf of Heatqueen. Telly forever

25th Sep 2008, 11:47 PM	#19
Janvier يَناير Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: France Age: 22 Posts: 849 Join Date: Aug 2008	Re: Anonymity causes split on/offline personalities I'm pretty much the same online but it's true, I've seen quite a lot of anger/hate/rage on the internet. __________________ Uncertainty excites me.

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25th Sep 2008, 11:57 PM	#20
Miles D Rude... and not ginger. Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: queer Out Status: everyone Location: San Diego, CA ⇒ Great Barrington, MA Age: 20 Posts: 1,171 Join Date: Jul 2008	Re: Anonymity causes split on/offline personalities I basically feel more honest/ say more of what I'm thinking online... in person I it takes me a while to feel comfortable with new people. __________________ Bowties are cool. Fezzes are cool.