Writer's Block: Divided Self

[fingertrouble]

[Error: unknown template qotd]In a word, no...the content is the same; but the tone comes over differently. I've met people offline and re-iterated exactly the same statement that offended them srsly online, and they've just shrugged and gone 'fair enough'. Hence why I call this the broken medium - half the message gets lost and people sometimes want to find offence as the most benign and pointless shit going.

Comments

[fixnwrtr.livejournal.com]

I've wondered about that. Tone is important and does convey the emotions better. Emoticons just don't get it. But do you think that people are touchier and more apt to be offended because they're looking for it or because the medium is that constricted?

[timbearcub.livejournal.com]

I think a bit of both - people tend to read stuff as themselves in either their own tone or a perceived tone until they meet someone face to face - when you meet someone that's why you then read stuff in their voice and get more of the 'cues' there.

And certainly if people are having problems themselves that ol' standby projecting comes in...I do it, I'm just aware that if someone says something it most often than not is about themselves, as well as maybe pertinent to the subject.

The lack of other cues - body language, tone etc - and the unnatural anonymous nature tends to lead to people acting out or being more bold...I tend to be a bit more extroverted, but everything I say I would say face to face, and have done in the past. I think it shocks people to realise that a) I'm not getting at them and b) I do feel this strongly about certain subjects and c) I'm quite happy to discuss it in depth without taking offence :-)

That 'taking it personal' is a weird one - I think it's because it's also a public discussion and other people can see it...then people get into that evil 'saving face' cycle...I know I sometimes do, I tend to avoid it now, with a few allowed exceptions where I allow myself sharpen my talons ;-)

[fixnwrtr.livejournal.com]

We seem a lot alike. I give the same online as offline and people who know me well know the difference between sarcasm and a genuine attack (which I don't do). I can discuss anything calmly, even issues that make my temperature rise, but then some people can't and find my calm in the face of their screaming, spitting, insane rage creepy.

[[chuckles]]

[huxbear.livejournal.com]

As much as I know you've seemingly "gotten into it" with folks online, I've never taken offense at word-one of yours...but then, I guess you've never really tried to "tear me a new one" or point out what a totally self-absorbed wanker I am or anything of that nature... ;o)

I still wanna meet you like crazy, though. :o) [[snuggs]]

Re: [[chuckles]]

[timbearcub.livejournal.com]

And I would like to meet you.

And as I've said before I doubt I'd "tear you a new one" - very rarely could happen but then it'd blow over as quickly as it came...and I'd not usually explode publicly too. And really nowadays someone does need to be a prize jerk to do it, those buttons are there but getting more hidden by scales as I get older :-)

Friends are allowed to annoy me (within reason) and don't get to the explosion level, unless it really is a major trust thing - and actually rarely know anyway. I tend to let it burn out if I know it's a 'me' thing and let it fade, with them none the wiser.

[gryphons-hole.livejournal.com]

I am more at ease online, more fearless, I suppose. It doesn't mean I am not fearless in the real world, but I am more cautious about my undertakings there...

That said, how I meet someone online will be how I am when I stand face-to-face. It is an ice-breaker for me, a way to be more relaxed into myself, not an alternative me...

[akil.livejournal.com]

I try and represent myself the same online as I would in real life. I type as I would speak, and I'm just as open and forthcoming (yet reserved). :)