So...the internet
Jan. 5th, 2012 12:20 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lonesparkI am always hearing that being anonymous on the internet makes us all jerks, and makes jerks jerkier. Comments sections left open to being dominated by jerks do seem to bear this out, and yet...
The main effect of the internet on me has been connection. This is not always a happy thing. Now when I hear about bad things happening in countries far away, I get to think "oh no, I have friends there!" and worry, while still not having anything clear to do about it, or at least nothing that's going to have a big effect.
I have certainly said things I regretted on the internet...but that's mostly because I talk a lot more on the screen. I have to be pretty comfortable with you to talk to you about much of anything in real life. That can happen because I know and trust you, or because I'm just not afraid of the consequences of disappointing you, and both of those things are more likely to happen online.
The main effect of the internet on me has been connection. This is not always a happy thing. Now when I hear about bad things happening in countries far away, I get to think "oh no, I have friends there!" and worry, while still not having anything clear to do about it, or at least nothing that's going to have a big effect.
I have certainly said things I regretted on the internet...but that's mostly because I talk a lot more on the screen. I have to be pretty comfortable with you to talk to you about much of anything in real life. That can happen because I know and trust you, or because I'm just not afraid of the consequences of disappointing you, and both of those things are more likely to happen online.
no subject
Date: 2012-01-06 12:01 am (UTC)