Who are we?

[Blazerboy | Noah]

anyway, thanks for using me as an example. i really do enjoy being talked about and referenced, it really gets me going. anyway i'll try to answer your question. who am i? well, i'm pretty dark and relaxed, nonchalant and noncaring, neutral, lazy, the opposite of proactive, quiet, and hard-working when i feel like doing work. i'm a bit of a show off, especially in band, although i don't like to show off, because then i get noticed and people don't like show offs (which is redundant, because i love having solos in band and for recitals).
a "weirdo?"
possibly. probably. i don't like to think of myself as really weird, but i really am by the standards of an american high school student. i don't have many friends, i hardly do anything after school besides sleep and eat, i dress pretty weird, i look and speak and sound much older than my age.

 

[BitoBain]

This might sound cliche, but I found an incredible amount of similarities between us. especially that last line.

This thread reminds me of a certain view of psychology pioneered during the early renaissance. I forget what it was called, but it argued that human psychology could be simplified down to a simple triangle.

ACTUAL PERSON
O----------------O
O---------------------------O
O---------------------------------------O
O--------------------------------------------------O
O-------------------------------------------------------------O
O------------------------------------------------------------------------O
O------------------------------------------------------------------------------------O
O------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------O
O------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------O
O------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------O
O------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------O​

PERFECT PERSON OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO INDULGENT PERSON

I feel that this is a very accurate model of a human; that one is a balance between an ideal person and their natural desires of power, lust, greed, knowledge, etc...

However, in the online world, people often try to portray themselves as only the perfect person, without having natural desires.

 

[Joel/MadDawg]

No one understands me. I don't consider myself smart, but as I've grown older I've realized that the amount I think is abnormal. I manage to keep a calm and collected look on the surface, but under my skin my thoughts practically drive me insane.

My brain never stops churning. I'll stay up for hours some nights laying in bed, begging my brain to let sleep come. But it doesn't, and so I think and think about sometimes the most trivial things. I'll play back the same conversation over and over in my mind, trying to analyze if my responses were interesting or what the body language of the other person revealed about them.

Words fail me. Sometimes I spend an hour writing a simple paragraph forum post because I rewrite it over and over, until I finally give up and settle for words that don't convey what I think I feel. This frustrates me to no end.

I am not normal. At a young age I realized that I stood out from everyone else. So I analyzed and observed the ways other people act. I went over scenarios in my mind, practicing exactly what to say and how to act. I did this until I had completely trained myself to fit in, to be normal. This mirage has translated to how I act on the forums.

And how do I feel about all of this? Well, I am happy with my life. I have a loving family and a good group of friends. I feel safe and secure. I appear normal, I do fit in. I am never bored because of my thoughts. For all of this I am thankful.

 

[Nirmit|NirmitPlays]

I act same irl and online just like fire said

 

[ViolentKitten]

In real life, I am a fun loving, 'jokey' individual that makes atrocious puns by the bucketload and get on well with both genders. I am never afraid to seek out what I want in life, and do what I can to get there.

Online, I am shy. I fear being judged for what I say, or being regarded as 'annoying'. I do not cope well with being disliked (unless I dislike the person) but often just keep quiet so no negative opinions of me are created. I was even too shy to ask for my birthday rank at first lol.

Although, I do like to think that having this position has given me the confidence to express myself online, and I am comfortable talking to people but I still am not super talkative.

 

[Mooclan]

i didn't read it

You also didn't need to post that.

 

[bridgedragon]

I can't really judge how I am online. I'm definitely not the smart guy, or the person that makes everyone laugh. I'm just kind of here. :\
Irl though, I am not kidding when I say this. Can get along with basically like 70% of the people I meet. I'm not incredibly social, but I'm not shy either, I'm just a oddball.
Also, having no temper and being the most easy going person on the planet helps :3
Edit: just read this over. "wat"
Also, I just noticed. I need to paint a picture of myself, I jut don't know what and how.

 

[Cimmy]

You also didn't need to post that.

True

 

[Ikanacanyon7]

A worthy question, when put into the hands of a worthy writer.

“Who are we?”

While it may seem simple and inconsequential at a glance, if you delve further into the meaning, you may find a few surprises.

While I myself can’t answer that question for you, I can definitely answer it for myself, and perhaps that can give you a lead on how to think about it on your own.

Online, we often appear to be someone other than who we really are. A smart and sassy young adult online might actually be a shy, hesitant adolescent with a tendency of running away from social environments. Or perhaps it’s the other way around, and a seemingly meek fellow online could turn out to be an outgoing football player on his school’s team. How you appear online, and how other people remember you, all depends on what you choose to show.

I, personally, prefer to exhibit the side of me that no one ever sees in real-life. Online, I come across as an opinionated person who is intelligent and knows it. On the contrary, those who meet me face-to-face can easily reach the conclusion that I speak very rarely, and when I do it’s either something harsh and scathing or overwhelmingly intellectual. It's only those who know me well that will unearth the warmer side of me.

With social medias like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, the majority of users only post things that showcase the brighter side of their lives or their sense of humor. Whether it be an amazing meal that they just had, a wonderful date they went on, or a funny story from their day, a common theme that can be found among posts is bright, happy, and funny. Rarely do you ever see someone posting about their parents’ latest argument, a miserably boring class that they just had, or a foul meal that they were served, unless they can find some way to inject humor into it.

By limiting what other people see and read, we limit what they can remember. After all, you can’t memorize a document that you never read, and you can’t be friends with a person that you have yet to meet. By not exposing the negative side of our lives, others can’t know about it.

When you create a “Positive-Only” identity, eventually even us ourselves will forget about things.

When recounting the tale of your latest adventure, if you fail to document that time when you got lost in the forest, then in 40 years when you’re telling your grand-kids about the time you went camping, you might not remember about it, and will simply fail to recount it.

Like this example, if we post exclusively about the positive side of our lives, then anyone else – sometimes even our future selves - won’t know about it. Others who know us won’t know what really happens in our lives, unless they get the information from another source, such as being there themselves.

This can be compared to celebrities and their lives – we may think that it’s all sunshine and butterflies, but think again. Generally, they don’t expose their less-than-wonderful side, like the days that they are stuck in the recording studio filling out paperwork or when they got stared at by a creepy stalker across the room. When they do post, generally it’s about things more cheerful or exciting like their latest beach day or a cute bunny that they saw next to the road.

What we put out on social medias can really affect how people think of us, and our “social media identities”. By excluding the content to uplifting messages, we may give off the idea that our lives are always cheerful and trouble-free. Or by constantly posting about only the latest tragedies in your neighborhood or family, people might assume that we’re surrounded by awful things every day, even if we’re not.

Keep in mind that sometimes, Internet forums can be counted as social medias.



Think about what you post, and how it makes people view you.
**I wrote this blog post in a Social Media computer class, and I was given a prompt, to which I replied with this post.**

I'd also like to take this thread and provide three examples of how and why I view certain people in certain ways.
One clear example is Blazerboy | Noah. Those of you who've seen him around the forums probably know him as a slight weirdo with dark tendencies, and that's how he prefers to be seen. However what most people don't realize is that he's actually a cheesy romantic. (I found out this by going in TS with him a few times. I laugh when I think of him being romantic. Pfft. )
On the forums, BitoBain is a fellow who I personally see as, essentially, a super-genius. When he posts, it's usually something so intellectual and informative that I just sit there and scroll through it, thinking to myself "I bet he's in all AP classes ;-;" (In this case, I think BitoBain's online showing is the same as IRL.. scarily smart, like "omg pls tutor me" smart.)
For those of you who've been on the forums for at least a few months, you'll probably know darkrai202, who ended up getting forum-banned (and then created an alt ._.) He had a sense of humor that implied that he was a "class-clown" type, someone who wasn't particularly respectful but was also good to have around for chuckles. That was the impression that he gave off on the forums, but who knows? I never really got to know him well, but for all I know he could have been a "quiet-nerd" type of person in real life.
And of course I can't leave out Mr. Zaex, who's just swaggin' downtown with a girl on each arm. I don't even know how he does it.


So, how do you think people view you? c:
And what's your take on social medias? Is there anything you'd like to change in the way you present yourself or the way people view you?

Well this was very nice to read! Thanks Moo! I love reading stuff like this.

On the topic though, its funny how the way I have portrayed myself online is only half of how I am irl... and how people see me irl, is only half of who I am too. While people might think Im more of a cheerful and optimistic kind of person, mostly online, what I tend to do is try to stop people from thinking the way I do, because if people were as pesimistic as I am, I would know how bad they are feeling because of it, the pain that usually comes from that. I tend to tell people to try to "look on the bright side of things", which is hypocritical from me, but at least I have a good reason to do it.
And while Im not very open to talk about myself irl and online, I have found its much easier to do so online, even if it has only made me just a tiny little bit more open, what I have stated above, is something I have never said, nor I will ever say, irl.

 

[Miner9823]

Simply stating, that my internet self, is my alter ego. I have been quite ambitious with achieving great feats, and it is so simple knowing that people wish to express optimism within their life, There are great people within the MCGamer forums, Mooclan, this includes you. BitoBain, and so many other great individuals who do brighten up your day when reading their great, and intellectual comments.

Truer words have not been typed within this thread. And I am truly grateful to have viewed it. People are indeed willing to express themselves in a brighter manner, in to a more optimistic way to where people will consider them as good individuals. Social status, popularity, many people usually go for improving their reputation to achieving success and recognition.

We all fear that if we expose a darker part of ourselves, or even reveal pessimistic aspects of our lives and styles, which could include looks, personality, activities, and many other things, that we worry that people will view us in a different manner, they will think of us in a more distasteful way, that their trust will be lost towards you, since they do not like what you are doing or what you are.

But knowing this, this could simply result to showing that people look for others that seem happy, that seem great and amazing. Funny, kind, handsome or pretty. People look for others to think of as great individuals without acknowledging any of their flaws. And to my opinion, there could be a few vloggers on Youtube, or famous celebrities on Twitter and Facebook, or even MySpace, that usually are well known for certain aspects people admire, but not their honesty and truth. That is why some people are so desperate to stowing away their secrets, as they do not wish for exposure, and damage in their social status, in a way.

This is why I truly admire people who are honest with their peers, or fans, and themselves. Sort of like Mooclan, despite your flaws, and yes, maybe if we have known one another in real life and online, I would have still admired you for being honest with yourself and all the people who follow you and admire you.

I may be some sort of fat child sitting on the computer most of the day, but I have one thing to say...

We are humans, we may be imperfect, so why must others wish for perfect people?

 

[demonsushi]

I want to start by saying this really shows why you deserve to be top of the Forumers at MCSG. You are consistent, mature and eloquent. This is actually the thread I was going to post as I came onto MCSG today, but alas you beat me to it. Regardless, your words are better than mine could have ever been.

Who we are in the real world and who we are here are not the same, and that could be a good thing. While we shouldn't forget who we really are, having an escape where we can go to become someone else, someone who people could accept, is life changing for many. While it could be 1 in a million people who do this, their are still 7 billion people on this earth. That's a lot of 1 in a millions.

While I say this, I do agree that in order to complete yourself, you have to show the negatives and the positives. Maybe not in the same proportion, maybe not with the same frequency, but certainly with the same emphasis and same amount of passion. While being right is nice, being wrong is what we remember. It's how humans learn. When we run into conflict is when others around us see those wrongs too, and then they begin to judge us.

Don't forget who you are but at the same time enjoy what you can be here. We are all different and everyone should respect that. The great thing about the internet and socializing on MCSG is that the visual judgement that so many people make is suddenly out of the picture. No one is ugly, small, nerdy, a certain race, and on the flip side no one gains popularity from being beautiful, athletic or wealthy. Instead, we gain our popularity with our words and with our gaming mouses. May you all continue to do that.

Thank you.


-Demon

 

[Kupi]

On this forums I have usaully shown my self as a troll or bit of a prick depending on who it is. Honestly idk why people can just get me going on the forums and it gives me a temptation to say something negative back(Im not perfect)

Whereas in real life Im very calm and chill and usually try my best not to judge anyone negatively instead when I see someone "bigger" Instead of thinking they are a "fat" I usaully tend to think "maybe that persons family dosent feed them healthy food" or "maybe that persons family makes them get stressed out about there size".

Why am I so different on the forums compared to irl? Honestly its just because I see the forums as a place to just be sarcastic and rude since it is just a forum.( I previously have apologized to people) That pretty much sums up me.