Pixels and their consequences

wageslave

My very first attempt at a thread on here so be gentle with me

What constitutes a relationship nowadays? Can a pixel really be a friend?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00r3qhg/The_Virtual_Revolution_Homo_Interneticus/

How has the web affected you?

1984ReturnsForReal_2

Are you going to regret it later & delete it?

wageslave

1984ReturnsForReal wrote: »

Are you going to regret it later & delete it?

No, I actually care about this. It interests me.

The net has changed, is changing who I am.

I wonder if other people feel the same?

I keep seeing all these posts saying they are cutting down on MSE, which is basically the net.

I am really interested in what others find here and how they feel

vivatifosi

It's a fair question wageslave. For me, the people I care most about are in the real world, but the internet offers an opportunity to broaden the mind - and make good acquaintances - in a way that would not have been possible in the past. It gives you the opportunity to be exposed to different cultures and meet others with like or very different mind-sets, who may, over time, become friends themselves.

Personally though, I prefer my closest friends to be tangible, so for that reason I do try and keep my surf-time in balance. MSE is the site I spend the most time on btw.

lostinrates

wageslave wrote: »

No, I actually care about this. It interests me.

The net has changed, is changing who I am.

I wonder if other people feel the same?

I keep seeing all these posts saying they are cutting down on MSE, which is basically the net.

I am really interested in what others find here and how they feel

It...people through it... saved me when I was unable to drag the body out, it..the people...you.. cushioned me when I could drag the body out, but wasn't sure I wanted to. Now I want to more...but feel...affiliated to some people via net. But sometimes time demands you choose....and I believe that however fantastic the net is...people's voices, people's body language etc mean that sometimes cutting down is the right option. (this is mean to be cut out time though..)

wageslave

lostinrates wrote: »

It...people through it... saved me when I was unable to drag the body out, it..the people...you.. cushioned me when I could drag the body out, but wasn't sure I wanted to. Now I want to more...but feel...affiliated to some people via net. But sometimes time demands you choose....and I believe that however fantastic the net is...people's voices, people's body language etc mean that sometimes cutting down is the right option. (this is mean to be cut out time though..)

So you are all agreed. Pixels are just that and can't compete with RL friends. Even when you spend longer on the net than you do communicating with real people?

sjaypink

Its got me into trouble for various reasons, on various occasions...

...but also gave me strength, saved my butt, gave me ideas above my station ...

...as for friends? I don't know. I have probably said more online at times than I have ever told to some people I consider to be RL friends...

...there are people online I do care about . So, are they my friends? I don't know, they probably wouldn't think so! :rotfl:

vivatifosi

wageslave wrote: »

So you are all agreed. Pixels are just that and can't compete with RL friends. Even when you spend longer on the net than you do communicating with real people?

One of my cousins married a pixel, so I guess there is room to compete with RL friends. However there are discussions I'd have with my RL friends that I just wouldn't dare type on here, far too permanent and recorded!

Cleaver

This is the only forum I've ever used. I can honestly say that I've never even felt strongly enough to even post one comment on an article on the BBC or any newspaper site, so it's a bit odd that I type away so much on here.

I don't feel the people on here are 'friends', as I think you have to know someone in real life to know if they are truly a 'friend'. Having said that, you definately form relationships (if that's the right word) with people online, so in my case on MSE. I feel like I know some of the personalities of people on here better than some of the people I know in real life, which is a bit strange. And if we all met up in real life I would imagine that there are some people on here that I would get on with really well, despite maybe not agreeing or liking their online persona.

Not sure if that's answered any questions, sorry wageslave.

lostinrates

wageslave wrote: »

So you are all agreed. Pixels are just that and can't compete with RL friends. Even when you spend longer on the net than you do communicating with real people?

Do you believe the two to be entirely mutually exclusive? I have crossovers.

edit: in fact, I think its the new diificult balance that used to be boyfriend or best friend when I was at uni and both seemed to need you at the same time....

sjaypink

Oh no, not this again, it'll read as a right mess in the morning

Night, friends :A