I don't know

But at the very least it gives me something to do, it's a good distraction,

I always get most lonely when I'm bored

Yea me two, I agree with all that. Keeping busy helps and the nets good for that

Ekstra and Matt pretty much covered what I would have to say about socializing on the internet, and to boot, they worded it better than I would of done.
Internet relations have ripped my psyche, ultimately causing more irreversible damage than what was already there to begin with. There's also a very sobering thought after the pain dies down; questioning you and your ability to handle life if people that promised you the world via text end up leaving you rejected and permanently scarred.

I've got nothing to live for, yet I continue to exist anyway. Oh, the brutal irony.



Threw in the last line for good measure. Now add two eggs and a cup of milk.

This post was last modified: 12-25-2007 01:34 AM by Styx.

I think Internet is not good or bad for itself, it just boost your natural tendencies. So if you're a loner, Internet will increase it. If you're really sociable, it will help you too.

Knowing that I have some friends online makes me feel more confident in the real world. I don't know how that works though but when I've had a particularly bad day, it's nice to know there is someone there who I can talk to, even if they live miles away, b/c I don't really have anyone like that to talk to in real life.

Absolutely, I do believe the internet can be a great way to socialize. I don't think it's unhealthy, so long as you keep it in perspective. I have some coworkers with whom I talk/eat during breaks and so forth, and even once in a while we'll hang out together (especially happy hour on Fridays, which for me is not-so-happy hour, because I know that no one there is a true friend in whom I can confide), but the thing is, it's not the same as true emotional connection.

The internet is wonderful in that you can share as much or as little of yourself as you are comfortable with sharing. One of my coworkers has an issue with hairloss, which he feels makes him less attractive or approachable. Online, no one has to know what he looks like (not that I in any way think he should let anyone make him feel inferior). If the fact that someone online doesn't get to see you makes you feel more comfortable with initiating or joining in a conversation, then so be it. Eventually it can translate into real life. Okay, scratch that... I really hate the term real life, because sometimes the people we meet and develop relationships with online are more "real" than the people we see around us each day.

So, perhaps the point is that internet can be a wonderful way to meet and befriend people we might never have the opportunity to meet, whether it be an issue of physical distance, emotional security, relationship status, orientation, etc. Online, you're just one person talking to another, and connections can be made regardless of who you are or where you come from. Nothing is unnatural about it at all.

Yup!

I agree..

unless you were unnatural to begin with..

Well, considering the fact I haven't really been close to anyone IRL since like 6th grade... Not counting family. I guess in part I would blame that on the net. Though I might be in even worse shape without it considering how I got that way in the first place.

As I have gotten older though I have realized that people who aren't connected with you in real life can just disapear to easily. Also a large part of friendship is helping people out when they need it. Not a whole lot you can do for people through the net.

I have gotten into a horrible habbit of getting attached to no one online. Which is even worse then back when I would. I have a horrible habbit of getting to know people a little and then just going somewhere else. I started a myspace page to try to work to stop the habbit, but in 2 years time pretty much the only way anyone talks to me is if I start the conversation. Which I almost never do. Which is part of why I game. I have to have some reason to talk to people. Only I have the same darned habbit in games and get bored with things and move from one thing to another.

I am horribly reclusive. Sadly it just seems to get worse as I get older and more set in my ways. I often wish someone would just pin me down and force me to talk...

"Yea me two, I agree with all that. Keeping busy helps and the nets good for that "

The only problem is it is like a time warp. It never actually solves the problem and it just makes time go by real fast. I outright look at my computer kind of like some people look at alcohol. It numbs the pain, but it just seems to make things worse. Only problem is it's all I got and I am addicted. Though a big part of the problem s that even if I am around people I am to shy to do anything other then just try to blend in.

I used to pride myself on being invisible. Now, I pretty much hate it. Though truthfully I also still like it at the same time. It's safer and more comfortable to be invisible.

uuh I think if I didn't have the internet I probably would be more lonely. Probably just stay home and play games all day and just have my family to talk to! At least with internet I can have some sort of "social" interaction with other people even if it's not irl. Online friends have really helped me when I was feeling really down. It's better than having no to talk to at all. I can talk on the phone and use webcam too. But yeah >.< in a way I think it hinders me further maybe... if I didn't have internet, maybe I would try harder to make friends outside. I still try though, it's just hard. Overall, it probably doesn't satisfy my social needs, but it helps. It would be nice to make a close real life freind.. or at least move a good online friend to real life.