Originally posted by Illusionsaregrander

Originally posted by sc2099
We all play roles but some don't like to admit it.

I know how to play the social game and be "popular." I just choose not to.

Playing a role to become popular?

Is that why some people with obvious digital ego issues are motivated here?

Acceptance, adoration?

Could it be for some that popularity is secondary to freedom of expression?

Perhaps the online persona is actually liberating people, enabling their suppressed selves due to societal constraints or self imposed silence.

Should a magical fairy wave her wand and bring us all into the same room, I doubt many would find me much different than how I represent myself online.

That being said, I don't engage in much ATS subject-matter off-line because people in my vicinity are genuinely or willfully ignorant. I spend most of my day with what I refer to as the "semi-elites" or "self-appointed superiors". I work at a University. The single most deeply entrenched hotbed of institutionalized ignorance I have ever witnessed. I must not challenge the foundation of their social/culture structure as it is threatening to most.

Oy! don't get me started!

Originally posted by The_Alarmist2012

Perhaps the online persona is actually liberating people, enabling their suppressed selves due to societal constraints or self imposed silence.

Why would one be forced by social constraints except by fear of social exclusion? Unpopularity?

It seems to me we are actually making the same point, but that I am naming the underlying fear, not being liked and accepted.

I've tried being different personas online. But inevitably, I can never not be me. Sooner or later me shines through. I suppose this inability to be someone else is caused by a deep level psychosis of being happy with who I am. It's a definite social disorder that ensures my only friends to be those with the same disorder. Living with this disorder is like going to a masquerade ball without a mask.

When I was seven years old walking to school, I was sure there was a "big black building" where people went to know stuff. I thought that was where the secrets were being kept. When I found ATS, something clicked. I read voraciously, to see where my ideas fit in the "general mass consciousness" here. Sort of an experiment for me. As for my D-Ego, I find that I too say things that I wouldn't normally in my real life. I am surrounded by stubborn Republican farmers. (Nothing against Republicans but they don't open their mind up to the new as well as some) My 43 year old husband spends his free time on his Xbox and I spend all day with a 6 year old, so I come here for the intellectual stimulation I seek. On other socially based forums I am even more open, and have made some great friendships outside of the virtual experience. We call each other now. I like having a vast pool of interesting minds to dip into for enlightenment or entertainment.

I wonder if the following question will get any honest answers...

Have any of you through profiles, chat or forum posts exaggerated, distorted, somehow fictionalized the details of your real lives?

In other words, have you used your online persona to create a fictionalized version of the real you?

Originally posted by The_Alarmist2012
Have any of you through profiles, chat or forum posts exaggerated, distorted, somehow fictionalized the details of your real lives?

In other words, have you used your online persona to create a fictionalized version of the real you?

I once masqueraded as Duke Of Wellington from the Napoleonic era for over 16 months -- actually believing that I was he. It was great fun, but I had to call it a day in the end.

Originally posted by Cadbury

Originally posted by The_Alarmist2012
Have any of you through profiles, chat or forum posts exaggerated, distorted, somehow fictionalized the details of your real lives?

In other words, have you used your online persona to create a fictionalized version of the real you?

I once masqueraded as Duke Of Wellington from the Napoleonic era for over 16 months -- actually believing that I was he. It was great fun, but I had to call it a day in the end.

I am adding you as a friend, simply based on that comment alone.

Originally posted by The_Alarmist2012
Have any of you through profiles, chat or forum posts exaggerated, distorted, somehow fictionalized the details of your real lives?

In other words, have you used your online persona to create a fictionalized version of the real you?

I think in the sense that there is no way we can put ALL the details of our lives into a profile, they all give distorted views of us.

I have never, for instance, discussed my allergies in a profile, nor my stealing of candy from a store as a child, the spankings I got, the time I betrayed a friends confidence, etc.

The things that tend to end up in profiles tend to be things we find positive (even though some of the more Goth among us may find their "dark" things positive in that sub-culture) about ourselves. Or at the very least neutral.

I have never deliberately entered false information into a profile. I tend to say very little in my profile, nor do I generally read other peoples. I am not a "mySpace" type of person. I like to get to know people via interaction. Even if it is just typewritten online interaction. It still gives me a sense of them as a living, changing, organic being, rather than the "still shot" profiles provide.

Edit to add; I do not distort the details of my life when I post either. My life is weird enough. I have lived a very interesting and out of the ordinary existence, (not better in many cases, just not the normal expected sort of life) and I think for myself the the truth is stranger than anything I could think to make up.

[edit on 18-7-2008 by Illusionsaregrander]

I am the same person - except that in my personal life - I can discuss taking positive action against corruption, with like-minded individuals, and not have to worry about breaking the TOS.

ATS is definately an overflowing fountain of knowledge due to the collaborative action of its intelligent, wise, and diverse membership - but I constantly have to self censor myself here - to avoid being banned for discussing the wrong subjects, or suggesting a real strategy for positive change.

It is unfortunate - but it is what it is - and I would be all the poorer without the spirted discussions and altrustic education provided by the most excellent community here.

Originally posted by Spiramirabilis

how will you know if they're honest? :-)

I'm not sure, see the post directly above yours, do you believe it?

I suppose it is true when people say that you can't believe anything on the internet.

You can say and do things online here that you can't or will not do in public, you can fictionalize your personal details, become an alter-ego.

[edit on 18-7-2008 by The_Alarmist2012]

I will tell you this, I have no profile as there is no point really, is there?

I have used the internet to communicate serious issues to others and found that also there is no point, because without providing real world proof it is meaningless.

I have in the past used an online persona which became an alter-ego, ultimately I felt trapped somewhere between my digital ego and my true self, eventually my alter-ego became someone I wanted no part of any longer, I separated myself from that and swore I would never let it happen again, that is why I am exploring this here, as I know there are others who have been down a similar path.

Ugh...I was writing this freakishly long detailed post that was more like a blog, then I realized that I can sum it up in a few bullet-like points:

I am very private on- and off-line, and I like to be liked, but I don't like people to like me too much to get too close. I wear masks to make people like me then vanish when they really want to be my friend.
I have some serious insecurities and social anxieties, have troubles with coherent syntax while speaking so I just don't try.
I am freer and more willing to be "myself" and express myself through written media, especially internet (I say I learned typing in my keyboarding class in high school, but really I just chatted too much on IRC).
I had many long distance relationships through the internet and spent a fortune of my mom's money in high school on calling cards so I could talk to all of my online friends, while I hardly talk to my "best friends" from before the internet. I even met my fiancé through IRC, and moved 500 miles away from home to be with them.
I have always desired to experience the lives of others, and have always written and/or role-played to explore these alternate realities which are as real for me as the rest of the world because I hold everyone away from me.

As far as ATS discussion topics...I am too insecure and afraid to really say anything about them to people outside of ATS. At my work one of my bosses dissed the entirety of the employees at the Whole Foods across the street as weirdos with tattoos and strange hair and I don't know exactly what else because I could come up with no other observable facts to understand his prejudice. I think the internet has spoiled me to open-minded people