Do you try to make it so that people know what you're like 'IRL' when you write on the internet?

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

I mean for example, if you had a wooden leg or were writing from inside an insane asylum or had murdered someone or you were George Bush or were a billionaire, things that might effect how you related to people in 'real life,' would you say?

― maryann, Saturday, 20 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Or even more normal stuff, like if you were fairly rich would you consider it 'honourable' not to mention it?

― maryann, Saturday, 20 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I try to be honest, but I don't there is a need to disclose everything. Wouldn't it be boring to try and make sure everyone who might read somthing you'd written knew exactly what you were like?

― isadora, Saturday, 20 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Okay, you discovered it. I'm Gerge Bush

― Chupa-Cabras, Saturday, 20 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Sorry, i got it wrong. I'm George Bush

― Chupa-Cabras, Saturday, 20 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Am I alone in finding the misspelling of 'George' quite compelling evidence of truth here?

I don't deliberately hide anything, here or in my real life. I'm a very open person.

― Martin Skidmore, Saturday, 20 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

You...you evil doers.

― G. W. Bush, Saturday, 20 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

i am the worst liar ever. i suppose i had a chance to make up some interesting new persona when i started talking to y'all but i don't think i could pull it off.

― Ron, Saturday, 20 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I don't know, I've become much tetchier and pushier in real life, more like I am when I write. So it's a bit confusing.

― Nicole, Saturday, 20 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I'm kinda the same in real life, but different. On the internet, I communicate the things I like or dislike and just join in the general chat. In real life, I'm more prone to meloncholy and grouchiness.

― jel --, Saturday, 20 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I mean I'm not gonna answer the personal questions or stuff like that, so honestly no, jel ilx is not an exact approximation of jel irl, but jel ilx is truthful. If you get what I mean.

― jel --, Saturday, 20 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I guess I'm more or less just me, I don't do anything conscious about becoming someone else. I've always been told I write the way I talk, so hey. Generally speaking I keep a lot of my doubting and unsure side away from a public forum, but in private conversation it can come up. :-)

― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 20 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I'd prefer to be quite unlike I am IRL. I do disclose my age though not to my GREAT CREDIT.

― Maria, Saturday, 20 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

i don't try to make it that way. it just happens. like ron i make a terrible liar. also i'm not very good at with-holding information about myself. (although i can keep other peoples secrets with ease). i don't really have any secrets.

― di, Saturday, 20 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I consider it honourable to withhold any details about myself that might make people like me. But I've realised that perhaps that is more appropriate in real life than on the internet, cos if you're not funny then you better be rich.

― maryann, Sunday, 21 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

It would be far too much trouble to have to remember some carefully- constructed web of lies. I have difficulty remembering where I left the car keys, let alone anything else.

I write as I speak - it all just sort of tumbles out. What you see is pretty much what you get with me, though I suppose I don't tend to reveal too much of my personal stuff to complete strangers (IRL or on the net) until I get to know them better.

Also, if I started bragging about having a huge house and flash car, people would think I was a plonker etc (but I haven't, so are we still mates?)

― C J, Sunday, 21 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

hey maryann you were on the computer tonite & you didnt even write to me! you suck.

i had to get out of my house & now i'm gonna have to get out of the university too, theyre turning the lights out on me.

― duane, Sunday, 21 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

ok now i'm back in my house again. i parked the car down the street & climbed in the window 'cause i'm hiding from my flatmates.

― , Sunday, 21 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

but that's not important right now. write to me tho if yr still on ok?

― , Sunday, 21 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I write like I write, rather than like I speak, although I should think that there's a fair amount of crossover between the two in terms of linguistic tropes and quirks and ways of thinking things through. I'm certainly truthful about *what I think* here, albeit within tightly circumscribed 'social' limits regarding what I think about the people I'm (very broadly) talking 'to'. But then I'm conflict-avoidy in real life too. I suspect I'm less open about aspects of *who I am* on here, though I certainly never lie. But like Ned I don't do insecure in this kind of public, and for some reason I feel awkward referring to my real life boyfriend, even in ordinary passing. We've been together 10 years; everyone in my life knows this and thus to some extent I suppose for them I'm always coupled. I like that there's a space in which it isn't relevant.

― Ellie, Sunday, 21 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.