Technology and the Brain

I think the point was... being a bookworm and having most of your friends be online instead of in real time can lead one to be somewhat socially stunted. And that people skills are just as important as intellectual skills.

Then again, one has to admire your refusal to second guess yourself!

One thing I have learned the hard way (this is not at all directed at you personally, it's a general observation) is that when I "meet" someone online who seems really fantastic and cool.... 99.999% of the time, in real life they have few if any social skills or competencies. Many times those sorts of people are just plain crazy, and not in a a fun and aren't you interesting sort of way, either.

It's one thing to "choose" to have most of your social circle be online -- you for instance work online all day and you also live in the middle of nowhere, with no transportation of your own -- and it's another to have all your "friends" be online bc one is incapable of actually having an adult relationship with a real person face to face.

On the other hand...perhaps the scientists are wrong. Perhaps it's more that these people ahve always existed, but before modern technology they were invisible, or maybe even oppressed by being forced to live in a culture where they could not thrive. (as opposed to the idea that technology is CREATING these people).

hmmmm


Me -- I am definitely not a better me online than in person. In person I tend to bite my tongue more and try to fit in to the prevailing paradigm.

I've found the people I met online to be just the same face-to-face.

Perhaps it's more that these people ahve always existed

Of course they have. My grandmother was one - she was annoyed by efforts to involve her more, she *liked* having a routine and not seeing many people and being on her own in her flat. Right now, my next door neighbour is such a person - far from unsociable, but very happy to close his door behind him and not have anyone intrude. Confirmed bachelors used to be an accepted species, and really, it suits some people.

"Confirmed bachelors" was a social euphemism, meaning "homosexual". "Confirmed bachelors" were not necessarily unsociable, but their form of socializing was illegal.

I don't think you can generalise, and I don't believe my neighbour is in the least gay. (I've known other people like that, but he's the closest example.) On the other hand, many homosexuals were married and with families, and were - or not - seeing people on the side.

Well I said "was". That is also the problem with online interactions. You were referring to a phrase which historically was used to denote homosexuality. Now you are saying that it does not apply to current situations. Well it does not, because those social euphemisms are not needed. However, that is what that phrase meant when used prior to the sexual revolution.

And yes, you can generalize -- that is what anthropology and sociology are all about.