Oh, and regarding that earlier post...

[conuly]

My lack of real-world friends is because I mostly live online. Youse guys know this. It doesn't disturb me much, but somehow the fact that I have more friends now than I did before (but they're all online) disturbs everybody else in the family VERY much. Messed up.

Comments

[fjorab-teke.livejournal.com]

I was making that observation myself, although it doesn't mortify my parents so much. They worry, yes, and they cast that cynical "you met her online?" question if I say I'm meeting up with someone at a mall, etc. But I've found that I don't feel as burdensome to my friends online, they can communicate with me readily even if just through "leaving messages." Best of all, though, I can readily find people I have oodles of fun random things in common and still be able to ignore those I don't want to bother with. I learn from those who have just enough in common to be fun but enough completely off common grounds to be educational (yes, you're a teacher of sorts to me ;-))...and I like that I can literally pick and choose with whom and when I want to connect. And if something goes wrong, it's still not fun but it's easier to sever ties if need be.

[conuly]

yes, you're a teacher of sorts to me

*blushes profoundly*

Seriously, though, online is EASIER mihi. And I like it more, too. Plus people are more open to the idea that they misunderstand you. And that rampant paranoia... like people you meet in real life are more likely to be trustworthy!

[fjorab-teke.livejournal.com]

Yep, the creepiest guys I've yet met have been at college, as well as an older guy who wanders around downtown (I haven't seen him in ages though thank goodness) and one creepo from my high school (in my sister's class a year behind mine) who did seek me out online. Ughh. If someone online shoots up a "red flag" I can discreetly give them no details about me and quietly find ways that they shall no longer see or hopefully even think of me anymore. I'm a little too trusting, sure, but hey...I'm happier having fun friends online I can trust a little than be a bottled front all the time.