Through a glass darkly
A world of difference
A world so out of touch
-Kid Gloves
RUSH
Why does a small measure of temporary anonymity seem to always bring out the worst in us, as opposed to the best? As people who engage in online activities, we seem to so rarely have any sense of balance.
We assume an online persona that is at best a marginal shadow of who we really are. To a point, that's a function of the venue. Those whose lives we share online, whether through a blog, an online community, a message forum or whatever are only a shadow of their real selves online. We only project a part of the reality of who we are online. Those who see our lives online don't just see an imperfect reflection of us. We project our wishes and desires onto others online. We want someone to be smart, thoughtful, compassionate, so we project that upon them. If we want someone submissive, sexual, accommodating and desirous, we project that upon them. Regardless of the reality.
People, who in the real world are weak-willed and weak-minded, put up a facade of belligerence and acrimony. They become abusive and belligerent, trying to make up for their own shortcomings that they know so well, but attempt to hide from others. The truly pathetic thing is that anyone with a little perception can see through all this, and when the bullies get called, they act like bullies do, whimpering and snivelling about how they are unjustly accused and abused by others. They mock those who hold to a higher standard of right, and thus further distance themselves from reality.
We fall out of balance , and what is played out in the land of make-believe can become dangerously real. In all aspects of our lives we can do nothing less than strive to live to a higher standard of truth and reality. Sadly it is always easier to take the low road, become someone we don't recognize, and would never want to be, in a make-believe world and then wonder where that person came from in the real world.
Everything is tied together, warp and woof. We cannot escape who we are until we change who we are. That is never easy. Simple, yes, but never easy. Simple in that the decisions must be made. Difficult in that it must be adhered to moment by moment, word by word, choice by choice. Sadly, most will never exert themselves to the extent necessary to make this simple choice a daily reality long enough for it to become a reality of a lifetime.
Ask me how I know.
A world so out of touch
-Kid Gloves
RUSH
Why does a small measure of temporary anonymity seem to always bring out the worst in us, as opposed to the best? As people who engage in online activities, we seem to so rarely have any sense of balance.
We assume an online persona that is at best a marginal shadow of who we really are. To a point, that's a function of the venue. Those whose lives we share online, whether through a blog, an online community, a message forum or whatever are only a shadow of their real selves online. We only project a part of the reality of who we are online. Those who see our lives online don't just see an imperfect reflection of us. We project our wishes and desires onto others online. We want someone to be smart, thoughtful, compassionate, so we project that upon them. If we want someone submissive, sexual, accommodating and desirous, we project that upon them. Regardless of the reality.
People, who in the real world are weak-willed and weak-minded, put up a facade of belligerence and acrimony. They become abusive and belligerent, trying to make up for their own shortcomings that they know so well, but attempt to hide from others. The truly pathetic thing is that anyone with a little perception can see through all this, and when the bullies get called, they act like bullies do, whimpering and snivelling about how they are unjustly accused and abused by others. They mock those who hold to a higher standard of right, and thus further distance themselves from reality.
We fall out of balance , and what is played out in the land of make-believe can become dangerously real. In all aspects of our lives we can do nothing less than strive to live to a higher standard of truth and reality. Sadly it is always easier to take the low road, become someone we don't recognize, and would never want to be, in a make-believe world and then wonder where that person came from in the real world.
Everything is tied together, warp and woof. We cannot escape who we are until we change who we are. That is never easy. Simple, yes, but never easy. Simple in that the decisions must be made. Difficult in that it must be adhered to moment by moment, word by word, choice by choice. Sadly, most will never exert themselves to the extent necessary to make this simple choice a daily reality long enough for it to become a reality of a lifetime.
Ask me how I know.
posted by PipeRain at 9:02 PM
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