I just realized what this separation thing is all about

[afuna]

While I was setting up a couple of personal accounts and linking them up to work friends, it hit me: I am careful about who I reveal my online identity to because I don't want to be polite.

For several reasons, I am very restrained offline. I find interesting things that other people don't (code, etc), I don't find interesting things that other people do (people, etc), I say the wrong things, etc etc so I've learned to filter like crazy mad, but in a quiet polite way.

Online, I talk about things that interest me. Offline, I keep quiet because that is polite.

I like my relative lack of restraint here, when I don't feel like I have to please everybody (or even anybody). It took me a long time to get to the point where I felt I could say things freely (I'm not there yet in some ways but I am much better here than elsewhere), and I worry that if I ever merge the two, then restraint will win out.

I don't want that.

Comments

[hatman]

I know that feeling. And yeah, makes a lot of sense. It's the upside to the anonymity of the 'net. (Downside, of course, being that people are more free to be impolite in less productive ways.)

In any case... glad to have the opportunity to know the real you. :)

[branchandroot]

*raises hand* I like that you talk online.

[oona]

I personally would prefer to do away with real life entirely. :)

[afuna]

It is kind of a pain, isn't it? *g*

[lacey]

I'm glad you're here and talking :)