Does Anonymity Breed Unconditional Friendship? - Tree of Souls

**Fkeu'itan** · #1 03-17-2010, 10:11 AM

The Internet gets consistantly torn down as a social medium becuse anybody can hide behind a username and make comments, but does this work the other way around?

Looking at the "Pictures of Us" Thread, I see an incredible and wonderful diversity of people here and I have to admit, (before the forums anyway) if I met some people here by chance, face-to-face in public i'm not sure a frienship would immediately be ignited. I'm sure there are people out there who feel the same way about me.

Has our anonimity bred unconditional frienship?

If there's one thing Avatar and these forums has taught me, it's that you shouldn't judge a person on apperances or because they belong to a particular 'group'.

It's the person inside that counts.

Eltu · #2 03-17-2010, 11:14 AM

Anonymity can certainly have both bad and good effects. In out case, since we got together by a common cause or way to see things because of Avatar – it is definitely a good thing.

However, in other situations anonymity can lead to really bad things – since you can basically say whatever you want without any penalty.

For a good example on how anonymity can lead to different things, look no longer than 4chan. Some things that has been made there has been terrible, and some things has been really good – all because several people can gather together anonymously.

Leonopteryx · #3 03-17-2010, 04:58 PM

i can say for sure, that it can, and i have done it on more than one occasion, here, and other places.

Having a certain amount of remove, does allow you to be more honest, then with someone in real life. its actually pretty cool.

txen · #4 03-17-2010, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eltu

Anonymity can certainly have both bad and good effects. In out case, since we got together by a common cause or way to see things because of Avatar – it is definitely a good thing.

However, in other situations anonymity can lead to really bad things – since you can basically say whatever you want without any penalty.

For a good example on how anonymity can lead to different things, look no longer than 4chan. Some things that has been made there has been terrible, and some things has been really good – all because several people can gather together anonymously.

It goes with a persons integrity. It's one of those things that is difficult to build and can be completely destroyed in a moment. For me it is a violation against myself to say bad hurtful things. I don't think I will ever visit 4chan. Thanks for the warning. I have a feeling that I might have a hard time washing away the smell. Life is short and I just don't need that.

I'm not sure how to describe what follows and I think I may choose the wrong words. I find the anonymity limiting in many ways. It just feels superficial on some level. The depth of connection is low on some levels. People come and go with just too much ease. It's a conflict for me, because I have been deeply affected by some of the posts from those I will likely never meet in the real world.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leonopteryx

i can say for sure, that it can, and i have done it on more than one occasion, here, and other places.

Having a certain amount of remove, does allow you to be more honest, then with someone in real life. its actually pretty cool.

I try to be pretty honest in real life. There are times that I bite my tongue and stay silent both here and in real life. Honesty can be hurtful as well as helpful.

I feel that in the end the anonymity is over rated. I have made friends on other forums who live hundreds or thousands of miles away. I have met several of them mainly because I tend not to be anonymous. I use my name there. I only choose the Na'vi word Txen here because it seemed more appropriate. Otherwise I would be Carl Leonard and stand up. It takes more courage to post as your true self.

Wanderling · #5 03-18-2010, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txen

It takes more courage to post as your true self.

Yes, it does. It's unfortunate that the anonymity of the internet gives some people a "no holds barred" attitude toward other people...it's too easy to forget that there is another human being on the other side of the screen, and a lot of people are wary of sharing who they really are, afraid of being hurt by those people (a justified fear, in my opinion).

I agree that the anonymity can be a good thing, too, though...it removes the filters we inevitably develop with people in "real life" (maybe "in person" would be a better description? Typing back and forth is still real life

). It forces us to get to know other people through their writing, alone, and even though that has its own limitations, you read enough of what someone has to say, you will get a feel for what they're all about, and once you have that feel for the person, the other aspects become much less important, I think.

Very interesting topic

(and I'm Barbara, it's nice to meet you!

)

Jamza · #6 03-18-2010, 02:34 AM

Even though we are anonymous on the Internet, simply by joining a forum you are making a statement about yourself - More specifically about a certain Like or Dislike.

If you think of how you deal with making new friends in real life, you start off with simple questions like "What kind of Music do you like?" in an attempt to get some common ground.

Since websites tend to be specialised or themed, much of this done for you. This being done for you means you are already on a certain level of friendship with that community (all be it might be a low level friendship to begin with).

I also think this is appropriate here:

Human No More · #7 03-18-2010, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eltu

Anonymity can certainly have both bad and good effects. In out case, since we got together by a common cause or way to see things because of Avatar – it is definitely a good thing.

However, in other situations anonymity can lead to really bad things – since you can basically say whatever you want without any penalty.

For a good example on how anonymity can lead to different things, look no longer than 4chan. Some things that has been made there has been terrible, and some things has been really good – all because several people can gather together anonymously.

I completely agree.

There are so many people here who I consider really good friends, some of who I've never actually seen, some who I have. I've ended up talking to people, just brought together by a single shared experience, and many people now know me better than just about anyone I know IRL

This also reminds me, I need to post a picture on the pictures thread

txen · #8 03-18-2010, 02:59 AM

Jamza, the image isn't working for me through this forum, but I was able to copy the link. That is one of the funniest things I have seen for a while.

It is true that a common interest in an internet forum or even in real world places is a great ice breaker. I have many real world friends that I originally met in forums. It's just a bit easier to make that transition if you at least put your location out there if not your name.

Tanhì · #9 03-18-2010, 04:37 AM

Great post, ma tsmukan.

I'm loving the anonymity that the Internet gives me. I am a very timid and reserved person offline. Being anonymous let me really express my thoughts and feelings without as much anxiety (after all, I can just walk away from the computer)... If I couldn't have been anonymous, I think I would've gone crazy by now from trying to hold all my Avatar feelings in

Also, Jamza, that pic is hilarious and totally true

Gunny · #10 03-18-2010, 04:46 AM

I believe it can. It is one thing being around strangers as they dont know you and you can open up to them. However, this is hindered somewhat face to face.

Now when you bring in the internet. It is people you dont know and will more than likely never meet. So for me it is much easier to "show" your true feelings. Especially in somewhere like here where we share similar interest and can really open up to eachother in a way that we might not even some close friends.