An explanation of my coming absence from the internet

Peregrin Toker · Post by **Peregrin Toker** » 2004-05-27 01:49am

Since it's kinda scary how I and many others probably communicate more with people over the internet than by face-to-face discussion, (if you really think about it) I have decided to take a break from the 'net. Thusly, you will not see me posting anything here the next two or three days.

Nathan F · Post by **Nathan F** » 2004-05-27 01:55am

Don't let the door whack your ass on the way out.

Seriously though, sounds like a good idea, see you around.

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2004-05-27 02:06am

It really isn't that scary, to be honest. But taking an occasional total break from the Internet is a good idea. I do it every so often.

See you later, man.

Peregrin Toker · Post by **Peregrin Toker** » 2004-05-27 02:10am

Spanky The Dolphin wrote:It really isn't that scary, to be honest.

Why?

Jon · Post by **Jon** » 2004-05-27 02:14am

breaks from the internet suck. I'm moving house on june 14th, but we cancelled the broadband nearly a month ago and it ends on may 31st... im gonna have no connection from home for 14 days, that's hell!

Luckily, I'll have college, ah

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2004-05-27 02:19am

Peregrin Toker wrote:
Spanky The Dolphin wrote:It really isn't that scary, to be honest.
Why?

Because it doesn't bother me in the slightest to be honest. Why does it bother you so much?

Sarevok · Post by **Sarevok** » 2004-05-27 02:24am

Knowing more people online than real life is plain weird. It indicates a lack of social skills.

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2004-05-27 02:32am

Yes, but I'm specifically curious as to why Simon thinks that it's scary to him.

Peregrin Toker · Post by **Peregrin Toker** » 2004-05-27 02:33am

Spanky The Dolphin wrote: Because it doesn't bother me in the slightest to be honest. Why does it bother you so much?

When you think about it, it's very strange that I have never met most of my friends in person, only chatted with them over the 'net.

And what is strange, can also be creepy.

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2004-05-27 03:01am

It's not really strange when you realise how much easier it is to meet people Online than in real life. Even a moderate-sized message board like this allows one to interact with and potentially get to know hundreds of people, where you can quickly join in conversations, which really can't be done in real life.

I still don't see at all how that can be creepy, since even any sort of unusualness wears off within the first few weeks of beginning such activity. The whole thing is just the result of how increasing communications technologies affect how people interact with each other. It brings international communities together and that kind of bullshit.

Bob McDob · Post by **Bob McDob** » 2004-05-27 03:31am

Although I share your concerns, I generally avoid completely cutting off the Internet, since after the two or three days I usually end up "binging" to catch up on everything I missed out on, and once that happens I usually end up in a worse position than I started.

Limiting and controlling time is more difficult, but I find the results are worth it.

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2004-05-27 03:33am

I find that being on a dial-up and sharing the line with my mother's business works pretty well.

InnerBrat · Post by **InnerBrat** » 2004-05-27 04:18am

evilcat4000 wrote:Knowing more people online than real life is plain weird. It indicates a lack of social skills.

Not at all. My social skills are just dandy, thank you very much, but I have more time for internet socialisation than I have for real life, because I can be on the interent at work and can check my emails daily. RL can be bloody tiring if you work 8 to 9 hours a day. With internet friends, you can fit in socialising with them around work and home life.

For me, it's not a social skills thing, it's a time thing.

Peregrin Toker · Post by **Peregrin Toker** » 2004-05-31 05:06am

In any case, I have now returned to the forum.

Rye · Post by **Rye** » 2004-05-31 08:25am

Peregrin Toker wrote:In any case, I have now returned to the forum.

Ha, the things you miss when you're busy with other things...

I missed this whole thread and it concluded before I got here.

Anyway, I'd expect people to know more people online than in real life, I talk to hundreds of people on the net, and many in real life, but there's a greater audience to talk to on the net, and you don't have to be constant with interaction.