True Nyms

[l33tminion]

So, in "What is I?" today we were discussing electronic identities, identity theft, and anonymity (our readings included the essay "True Nyms and Crypto Anarchy" by Timothy May). From that, I have a question for you. How do the ways you interact online differ from how you interact in real life? Do they differ at all?

Also, I had a math exam today, and I think I did well. W00t!

Markos is in town, so Markos, Xave, and I will be hanging out at MIT tomorrow. Double W00t!

Comments

[socraticmachine.livejournal.com]

Why is Markos in town?

[l33tminion]

He's on spring break, so he decided to spend a weekend in Boston.

[socraticmachine.livejournal.com]

sweet.

[storyhobbit.livejournal.com]

How do the ways you interact online differ from how you interact in real life? Do they differ at all?

I tend to talk a lot without entirely meaning to. In real life, however, most of that talk tends to be about random superficial stuff. The more I trust someone the better I am able to make myself say things that I need or want to say, even when I feel awkward doing so.

Online, however, I don't need to speak. I don't need to vocalize these things. I can write them, and writing is safe, and so I become much more open online than I often am in person. Much more comfortable interacting, even if I miss the body language and hearing peoples' voices.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_skye_/]

I agree with the unusual intimacy.

I also find that online I hardly 'chat' like I would on the phone. If my sister is on AIM and I want her to tell me about the fight she had with her roomate, I call her. If she posts it on LJ I often ask questions later, of course -- one way I'm helping to FORM the story and the other I'm not.

Also, I vent online. I don't in real life.

[l33tminion]

After our previous conversation, it occurred to me that one of the reasons I enjoy online interaction is that I'm bad with the subtleties of emotional communication. Other people, online, might feel like something crucial is missing. I, on the other hand, feel more comfortable online sometimes because I don't feel that there is all this stuff going over my head that I'm expected to get. Plus there is that intimacy. People tend to say what they are feeling, instead of saying something else entirely and merely expecting you to "get it".

[l33tminion]

I agree, except I don't usually miss body language. If anything, the absence of that makes me more comfortable. I don't get this feeling that there's all this stuff going over my head.

[blackmoonlight.livejournal.com]

Chatting online seems to be so informal. All defenses are dropped and we seem to allow ourselves to forget about grammar. (Somewhere, there's an AIM Etiquette website. It's..interesting). I've also found that chatting online is like allowing our held-in thoughts to have free-reign; we feel safe.

I personally think we should be just as comfortable online as we would talking in person.

[l33tminion]

I'd agree, but the reverse applies too. I personally think we should be just as free in person as we are online.

[egocentrism04.livejournal.com]

I'd say that other people should be just as free in person as they are online, but I personally probably won't be, just because that's the way I am. I also think that it's a lot harder to read someone else's response online (especially when they don't respond for a couple minutes) but that's balanced by how much more open people are online.

[l33tminion]

It is hard to read other people's responses online, sometimes, but I also have a hard time reading people's responses in person...

[fantwurm.livejournal.com]

In real life, you would never say double W00t! Oh, wait, you would.