Out of Normal: My World.

March 11, 2003

My World.

I had an interesting discussion about blogging with a friend today. The core of our conversation was that you just can't be sure who a person is based on their blog or personal website. I never really thought about it, because being a mid-westerner, (or maybe I am from Prague, for all you know) I was brought up to take people at face value. For all I know, the people that I regularly converse with could be a couple of 16 year old kids in their parents basements. It really is scary!!!

At this point, there has only been one online person that I have truly questioned as far as their motives and story. A few postings on their blog confirmed to me that they were of far less character than boasted. I have always trusted my instinct on this type of thing, and have never been disappointed.

As online communities expand, and as more and more people become netizens, this is something that we are all going to have to keep in mind.

Posted by Broch at March 11, 2003 08:18 PM

Comments

I'd have to agree. I've heard of people who put up very convincing fronts online, case in point being the legendary KC (Casey?) once heavily talked about over at Metafilter. There are plenty of honest people online, though, that I will usually take what people write at face value. Me, I have such a hard time keeping track of lies, I'd rather not put up anything at all than put up a falsehood.

Posted by: April at March 12, 2003 10:29 AM

I agree with April on that point. It is just to hard, time consumuing and a pain in the ass to try and keep any lie going. That, I would rather spend my mental powers and time on other pursuits.

Posted by: Tony at March 12, 2003 10:49 AM

I'll bet that's got you thinking about all those conversations with "lesbians" you've had. Broch, you and I were brought up just a few miles apart and being from the midwest, "I" think that I was brought up to NOT take people at face value. So weird. We think we have mid-western values on a subject, but can be so polar opposite. My 2cents is that I'll believe whatever I read, however, I am unlikely to incorporate anything I read into my personal value set. If I see a need to; however, I'm gonna verify what I've read is the god-honest truth.

Posted by: nose at March 12, 2003 11:08 AM

How Ironic. The 3 people who have responded are 3 of the people who I would never in a million years second guess. If any of you told me that the sky was purple, I would believe you, particularly on the planet Gastro =-)

Posted by: Broch at March 12, 2003 02:35 PM

I have been called lately taking a look at my own integrity and honesty. A humbling experience. I thought I was protecting someone and I realized that I was only protecting myself. I try to assess where I am in the moment with my posts. I have been known to delete imappropriate comments - sometimes for the protection of my privacy (what little I have) and sometimes for the protection of the person making the comment. Good sense will eventually clue you in on what's up with who. April and Broch (sorry I don't know Nose) - consistency in your posts reveal you both to be who you are - to me at least - talented and entertaining, warm and caring netizens (I like that!) of my small piece of the blog community.

Posted by: pam at March 12, 2003 07:43 PM

Pam, You are also among those that I cherish to be part of my blogging experience. Nose is a GREAT guy, and while he sometimes is a little more brutally honest than most, a friend in him is a friend for a lifetime. Crutch is also a gem, but he loves to heckle. I have been friends with these guys since freshman year of high school. They are part of my inner sanctum.

Posted by: Broch at March 12, 2003 09:54 PM

BTW, the sky is an everchanging hue on planet Gastro. Methinks it has a lot to do with the many, many moons and gasses. And that ain't no lie. ;-)

Posted by: April at March 12, 2003 11:00 PM

Me thinks that the aliens emit the gasses. The ones in my living room seem to emit aplenty. Maybe it is my roommates though????? I am yet to be mooned by one of them though!

Posted by: Broch at March 13, 2003 01:19 AM

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March 11, 2003

My World.

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