‘I am in cyberspace, therefore I am not’.
‘Not what?’
‘Not real. Not me. Not myself. Someone else, if I choose.’
‘Why would you choose to be other than yourself?’
‘Because this self, in this life is…small. Insignificant. When it speaks no-one listens.’
‘No-one?’
‘No-one. Its voice is dull. Its opinions gleaned from up there. Out there. Inflicted by those who know.’
‘Know what?’
‘Everything that one is meant to believe.’
‘And do you?’
‘What?’
‘Believe what is told?’
‘No.’
‘Then you have your own opinions. Do you not?’
‘Yes, I suppose. Sometimes. When I am not me.’
‘When you are the other you – the one in cyberspace.’
‘That’s right.’
I find forums distressing at times. For some people they become a space where their ego can dominate. They say what they want…that’s okay. They express their opinions, however narrow or negative…that’s okay too. Perhaps they say things they wouldn’t have the courage to say in a face-to-face situation.
Perhaps that is because they forget that the other cyber-voices are real people. They are forgetting to notice the tone and subtlety of the message.
In this techy time of Facebook and Twitter and Blogging, I am endeavouring to remember that these are real people I am communicating with. I am doing my best to remain true to myself. I shall certainly do my best to remember my manners!
Keep your cyber-ego real.
In cyberspace nobody knows that you are a cat as our loo postcard demonstrated! Mind you, nobody knows if you are a 14 year old girl or a 45 year old perv either. More to the point is that nobody really knows your agenda.
ReplyDeleteI couldn’t agree more, Sinead. You may believe you are holding the torch for a cause, getting information out there. But rounding on someone, resorting to insult, sarcasm or deliberately upsetting someone is bullying, end of. Facelessness makes it worse somehow. Of course, it is always possible to inadvertently hurt a person’s feeling, but an apology is just as easily offered as an opinion, be it on a forum or anywhere else. Be kind to people new to forums who might offer information in the interests of sharing. Don’t put them down. And don’t “get behind” the perpetrator of bullying. It’s cruel and immature—and eventually people won’t want to be part of your gang.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Sinead. Just as well to note that posts on the web are there ad infinitum, so words written in haste could be long repented at leisure.
ReplyDeleteLeanne, it is very subtle. No-one can see your face, so no-one can read your mind. That can be a real freedom, but it has to be used in the right way. Eiry, a good warning!
ReplyDelete