An online acquaintance started a discussion thread asking:
Are you who you say you are? Do you create a persona just for online? Do you act this way in the real world or use the anonymity found here to act contrary to your normal behaviour?
…and here’s my response:
I strive for “what you see is what you get”, both online and in real life. I’m probably more patient and tolerant online than in RL, because of the small delay built into responding in writing. (As a “real” writer, I’m practically incapable of just writing stream-of-consciousness and hitting “send”, and I’m rather puzzled that anyone can regularly do that, as many claim.)
I’m only recently becoming aware of the various (largely transparent or translucent) masks I wear in different social situations. I’m also trying to improve the way I respond to people, situations, and new information. So where is the “real” me in all this? Well, finding that authenticity is an ongoing process for me.
Thanks for raising the question!
Best to all,
M.
