Avatars

[Davin]

On a forum I do not type that I laugh everytime I laugh nor do I type a message for everything I agree with. In real life I'll nod or laugh, so there is a bit of a difference that is due to just the medium than to a choice in how I present myself.

In chat I'll often type "lol" or "hahaha". In text I tend to keep my ideas simple, thought out and easy to understand because it's easier for me to talk about complex things when I can quickly respond to problems of communication or problems with the idea itself.

In phone calls (or VOIP calls), I'll laugh, and in "sure", "uh huh" and others things to let the person know I agree and/or am following. The ideas I'll express are a little more complicated and I tend to use the medium for raw, less thought out, less complete ideas than the concepts I'll express through text.

In person to person communication there are no limitations for me, I just talk and sometimes draw up some visuals to express the ideas. The only difference is that at work I'll refrain from certain words, topics and/or loudness.

In public speaking I tend to try to limit the humor to things that are funny to a the group as a whole than I do with small groups, I tend to make sure I have thought out everything and how I'm going to express the ideas, most visual aids are made up ahead of time.


I'm not much for using the medium as shield to hide who I am or to treat other people like shit. I always prefer person to person communication because it tends to be more efficient, more interesting and I tend to have more fun.

[Melmoth]

It's interesting that so many find themselves being more brusque and assertive online than in real life. I'm like Asmodean, hismikeness and Teresa. I'm nicer online, if only because I don't know who/what I'm talking to. When someone says something that really annoys me, I always have to be open to the possibility that they're eight years old or in some way mentally handicapped, even if they've said otherwise.

So now you know, if ever I'm being particularly nice to you in an argument, I probably think you're a child with downs syndrome.

I'm the same person on HAF as I am IRL. That's a big part of why I changed my username from a handle to my real first name and changed my avatar to a picture of me, to remind me to be myself. It's more rewarding, once you've found a community you feel comfortable in, to be yourself.

I had wondered! You don't often see people doing that. A testament to the friendliness of this place, I suppose.

PS.  I've also finally realized what it means to fight over the remote.  We don't have a live TV, so we are never in that position... but now we have two people on two separate forums.  Now I need a dastardly plan to hog the keyboard and mouse!

Change the computer's password!

[Cecilie]

I suppose I'm more shy in person. Unless I know the person well.

So now you know, if ever I'm being particularly nice to you in an argument, I probably think you're a child with downs syndrome.

That is hilarious, but also good to know.

There should be a suspicious smiley.

[DaveD]

[Cecilie]

Too suspicious.

[AnimatedDirt]

It's slightly difficult to say.  On this forum, I'd say I'm exactly as I am if we would meet in person, with the caviat that we are engaged in a discussion on the subjects I engage in here.  Otherwise, I'm not exactly the same.  It's like the 'ole saying that my mother DID tell me about;  "Never speak about religion or politics with friends or family if you want to remain friends or family" (or something to that effect)  I've found this true in some respect as one does have to be careful not to just blurt out some knee-jerk reactions, but not totally true.  I have a few friends I am comfortable with engaging in these topics and we seem to agree to disagree and remain friends.

Now, I'm sure there are instances of friends that know my stance on some things and think different than I do or may even believe I'm an idiot troll on some thing ( as Recussant does now on the Bin Laden dead! thread here and here ) but we remain good friends.  I'm not aware of losing any friend due to our differences in religion or politics.  We've remained friends and never hand out "negative kudos" for simple personal ideas.

I would classify myself as a better person, in person, than on this forum.  After all, I am at odds with 99% of you here.

I have -4 kudos already...I guess it's the nature of me unavoidably being a Troll here at HAF. 

[Melmoth]

@AD: You're not at odds with me. The only thing I hold to heart is respect and good manners, thus my only real argument is with the rude. You could believe the Earth is flat for all I care. I'd have fun picking your brain about it - ideas are interesting, especially strange ones - but it wouldn't actually bother me.

And I can't say I'm a fan of the karma/kudos system, myself. I've been on a few forums which have it and the first thing I always notice is that nobody cares about their own score, or they all claim not to. Yet most still try distribute it fairly, which suggests that they expect others to.   One of the odd hypocrisies of online, human behaviour. I don't think 'being popular' is something that should necessarily be encouraged on a discussion board.

Anyway, have some kudos. I think Hugh Laurie should shut up as well.

[Melmoth]

There should be a suspicious smiley.

Oooh, seconded.

[ZombiePhysics]

I usually prefer to be myself on the internet due to the e-anonymity. Unless an acquaintance like a relative who lives far away & doesn't know me, or a classmate (atheist at a Christian School, by the way) could find my profile & comments, I have little concern, and I don't care what anyone else on teh interwebz thinks of me.

[Aurora Borealis]

I tend to say more online than I would in real life, mostly because I can plan what I want to say.  That's once I'm comfortable in the environment, anyway.

[Maria]

I'm much more polite on these forums than in 'real' life. For example, I never swear in any of my posts (at least, not yet).

[Asmodean]

And I'm a very blunt person, this too annoys people.

Me, I tend to offend people by being blunt... Haven't actually annoyed too many that way (Not compared to the numbers I offended)

[Stevil]

I have -4 kudos already...I guess it's the nature of me unavoidably being a Troll here at HAF. 

I'm actually surprised at that. I have had a few arguments with you but I do like you and the way you are able to hang in there despite the slagging off that your belief or bible gets.

In real life I am much more agreeable, I kind feel that I am here (on this forum) to learn and sometimes push a little so that I can get a real honest response. I do hate it when theists simply talk about scripture rather than refer to their thoughts or feelings on the matter. If I wanted to know scripture I would read it. I am here more to learn about cultures and people's beliefs, or thoughts.

It's funny that there are a few here that say they are shy. I am the shyest person that I have ever meet. You'd think by 37 I would have grown out of it. I have peculiar habits. I struggle to look at new people in the eye, sometimes when talking to strangers I will put my hand on my face, scratch my nose or forehead, i didn't realize until my wife pointed it out to me, now I don't do it so much. When I think about it, it's probably a weak attempt to cover my eyes and hide.

Once when my wife and and first child and I went to a Yum Char and had to share a table with strangers. My child did actually put her hand up to cover the line of sight between her and the strangers. It was quite odd to see and made me feel sad. I really hope she doesn't inherit my shyness.

[Poptop]

I don't think I'm more or less agreeable online.  I do think I'm more open.  At least on the topic of this forum.  It's nice to be able to slow the pace of conversation so as to have time to think and form a clear response.