(Better late than never!)
(p166) A screenname/handle/avatar effectively enables someone to be "larger than life" and whoever you want to be. You don't have to completely change every part of yourself to be a "better" person online. On the whole, you can tell a couple of white lies without too much of a problem. It's one thing to say you work at a large company when you work at McDonalds, it's another to say you're 16 when you're 47 - for example. While it would be easier for everyone to be honest, there is also an element of fun behind playing with your identity. As long as people take what they see online with a pinch of salt, there is no problem - it is only when identities become a complex web of lies that problems arise, which from my experience is very rare indeed. Assuming an online persona does encourage people to play with their identities because of the anonymity involved.
(p170) Online and offline relationships offer many different qualities. It could be argued that modern relationships are conducted both online and offline as couples can chat through Facebook or other online websites, while continuing their relationship offline too. The internet allows couples to get together from all corners of the globe, although strictly-online relationships lack real-life chemistry and sexual contact. Having seen relationships develop online which then continue into real-life, I agree with the points Baker (in Lister p. 170) makes that it is usually not through purpose-built dating websites that people meet, it is through chance and realising shared interests which feelings develop from - much the same as in real life. The issue of identity is also important. You may feel that you connect with someone online, but when you meet in a real-life setting there may be no chemistry there or shared interests are lost, as to a point people only share the characteristics online that they want to share, inside or out.
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Do you really fib about yourself online? who do you fool? Presumably not your real-life mates -so how many RL strangers/virtual buddies do you have? Do you feel no need to 'come clean' with people who seem genuine and nice?
ReplyDeleteMy experience is that most Inet users now can't be bothered to masquerade more online than they do IRL. The researchers claiming otherwise were looking at a very different Inet (in early/mid 90s) when there were thousands online, not billions as there are now.
I agree about dating online -but this is a cultural thing. Check out Indian marriage sites (India still has what we call 'arranged marriages') There are hundreds and they are used, because they facilitate the host culture's use of marriage within strong social restrictions.