It’s Just the Internet
I’m sure you’ve heard the slogan “It’s just the internet” before. Well, that’s because it is. It’s just the internet. But what does “it’s just the internet” mean? Some people think that there’s some kind of hidden meaning behind the phrase. But that’s the problem: there isn’t.
The way people interact on the internet has changed, especially over the last few years with blogging. But one thing hasn’t: the idea that there is People can be funny, or they can be complete idiots, or anything they want. They can even have a certain attitude toward a certain individual, like so.
I’m not a jerk, to anyone except for you.
Jake of JakeDahn.com
The point of the matter is that interaction through a device is going to have a different outcome than it would be have in real life. It’s like playing telephone. You tell someone something, and you don’t know what’s going to come out on the other end. You don’t know how they’re going to react. I see this in IRC every day.
Another point: You’re never going to meet the person that lives 2,000 miles away from you in real life. I love how [redacted] put it:
I think it’s rare to find individuals who conduct themselves on the internet as they would in real life. Because of this, I think people need to take a step back, take a deep breath, and realize: I’m never going to meet this person in real life; does it really matter if they called me a bad word? My opinion: don’t sweat them — absolutely not.
My point is, if something happens, really, don’t make a big deal out of it. It’s not going to change your life forever. It’s the internet. There’s still drama. There’s still gossip. Leave it alone. Go outside. Go to the movies with your friends. Don’t let it effect you, and remember: It’s just the internet.
Comments
Joey Brooks had a thought ¬
I don’t think interaction through a device is going to have any major difference then how people normally act unless they specifically change that behavior (for whatever ulterior motives). I sometimes compare people being a little tipsy offline as an example of their behavior online. It loosens up inhibitions, gives you a little shot of courage. This is normal when you can’t see someone face to face… This is exhibited to some degree with phones, even.
Well that’s dumb.
I find it rare when people don’t act as they normally do. I know I act as I normally would. Completely disregarding something when someone says it online just because “it’s the internet”? That’s silly in my book. That’s just desensitizing yourself, which isn’t doing you any favors. And I know [redacted] doesn’t live by this. An example this past week was late into our last Skype session with a few people when he got upset by something (I won’t go into details) someone put up. He got angry and then went quiet. Didn’t say a word for 10 minutes. I don’t call that not sweating it ;).
yone except for you.
Jake of JakeDahn.com
That doesn’t sound like he has a certain attitude change just because you’re on the internet, that sounds like he just doesn’t like you.
To wrap this up, some some people make a living through the internet and some people have extremely good friends through it. A few of my good friends I’ve never met, and only know through the internet… Should I presume that since it’s “only the internet,” that I shouldn’t take any of their advice on personal or business matters? Perhaps when a client screws me over and doesn’t pay, I should shrug it off and just say, “Eh. That’s the internet.”
I don’t think so.
⇒ May 19, 2007, 11:32 pm
Anthony had a thought ¬
Joey, I get where you’re coming from.
I too have some really good friends on the internet, and you’re one of them.
I also do freelance work. But I wasn’t targeting this towards people like you and me. My biggest point is that it really is like a game of telephone. Things come out differently than you want them to appear, sometimes.
⇒ May 19, 2007, 11:41 pm
Joey Brooks had a thought ¬
This occured just now on AIM, thought it’d be good to post it here. Screen names editted.
⇒ May 19, 2007, 11:49 pm