I agree. It's kind of neat though because what does come out really is still a part of that person. Perhaps the part that doesn't come out off the net. I can be more "out" here. I've been a victim of hate crimes myself. Not in a physical way, but in an expensive way. So I'm not as brave off line and I'm a bit shy too. Also, I find that a lot of what I say on line lacks the comparison of what I'm not saying, how it compares to other parts of my life. As for wondering if someone is playing up for me and just saying what they think I want to hear, I just check out what they're saying to other people. Even at that, I take their comments with a grain of salt because I recognize my own duplexity. ...

I agree. It's kind of neat though because what does come out really is still a part of that person. Perhaps the part that doesn't come out off the net. I can be more "out" here. I've been a victim of hate crimes myself. Not in a physical way, but in an expensive way. So I'm not as brave off line and I'm a bit shy too. Also, I find that a lot of what I say on line lacks the comparison of what I'm not saying, how it compares to other parts of my life. As for wondering if someone is playing up for me and just saying what they think I want to hear, I just check out what they're saying to other people. Even at that, I take their comments with a grain of salt because I recognize my own duplexity. For example, take Sylvia P....eh, I mean Sarah Palin. I may express my admiration for her in one comment, but I may not bother to say that I'll never vote for her.

That is so difficult to say Bear. Do I take the time in real life to have words of encouragement for others as I try to do online, when I have time to reflect and think? The good and bad can come out in everyone online. Perhaps the clipper you mentioned has to vent that; who knows? I was thinking that it's just as much as a character default in me if I don't carry over what I say and more or less preach in real life, and that has been pointed out to me by the right here on CM from time to time and it has made me quite indignant to see that in print at first, but later on, I realized they have a point and for me it is important to carry over the refections I have online in real life. Tha...

That is so difficult to say Bear. Do I take the time in real life to have words of encouragement for others as I try to do online, when I have time to reflect and think? The good and bad can come out in everyone online. Perhaps the clipper you mentioned has to vent that; who knows? I was thinking that it's just as much as a character default in me if I don't carry over what I say and more or less preach in real life, and that has been pointed out to me by the right here on CM from time to time and it has made me quite indignant to see that in print at first, but later on, I realized they have a point and for me it is important to carry over the refections I have online in real life. That can be so much more difficult but it is a part of the learning process we call life I suppose.