Thursday, March 3, 2011
Virtual Identity
Virtual identity can be an outlet for many people to express their other side that many people may not know. Some people change their virtual names and sometimes create an picture that their friends and family may not recognize. I honestly don't think this is a problem, but when people include false information, this gives others false impressions. This is what really affects the people that meet online and actually meet in person and they have this picture in their mind of how you described yourself or they could have seen your fake picture. I actually have a friend that meet a guy online and they established a long relationship before meeting, and when they finally did meet up it was a horrible experience for both people because they hid their true identity, it was just something they did online and not in person. They both expected each other to look different, he was married and much taller than what he explained. The only thing that was familiar were their voices. In many cases, virtual identities can be great depending on what you want to achieve from having this connection with others. I also believe that many people who hide their true identities online are very insecure about themselves. I do use social networking, but I never portray myself to be another person. Virtual identities can be good and bad in many ways, but I think for each person it does differ. As long as these people know it what makes them happy, it can become addictive and eventually feel like the virtual world is the real world.
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I completely agree. Having a virtual identity is a way of expression and maybe even a form of entertainment to many, but you do have to be careful with how you use it. If your intentions are having a real relationship with something via social networking I think that you have to portray yourself as you are in reality, especially if you do plan on physically meeting this person. If you never plan to meet, then I guess who you really are doesn't really matter. I believe that people can meet others through social networking, and establish relationships, yet I don't think I relationship can be maintained if the only way you are interacting is via the social network. A relationship takes two people, and to me, I think it takes two people to physically be with each other, not just communicating through a screen. Part of what strengthens and progresses a relationship is spending time with that person, and while you may be talking to this person all the time, if you're not actually with them, then I don't consider it a thriving relationship. I like to think most people are in relationships because they like to spend time with one another and be around each other, and by just communication online, you are missing out on so much about that person. You don't get to see how they act, their mannerisms, reactions, facial expressions, or characteristics. I'm big into social networking, but I use it more for entrainment and connection making, not to find my future husband. I also always portray myself how I really am, although I am a more opinionated self on twitter, than I am facebook. I think social networking is wonderful for keeping people in touch and connecting with others, although it does scare me that one day it will eliminate physical face to face communication, and that's something that we should never be without.
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