by ThomasCovenant 17 Replies latest jw experiences
Hi
Am I correct in saying that lots and lots of people who post on this site have physically met each other? And chatted together face to face? And know each other personally?
If not, how come so many seem to argue very aggressively with an avatar /alias.
Thanks
Thomas Covenant (the unbeliever)
I haven't met you Thomas, but I think I've fallen in love with you! I'd send you some flowers, but I don't know your address, so I'll just post a picture of some flowers.
Probably for the same reason there is road rage. "That CAR cut me off!" We don't see the person behind the object.
If we don't personally know another poster, we're only seeing "the tip of the iceberg", only a part of that poster's personality -- and the part they choose to reveal.
I think if posters who argued could ever get together over a delicious meal and a cold beverage, that most people would actually enjoy the meeting and find out things they actually have in common (in addition to the JW background).
I know a couple posters whose political and/or religious views vary significantly from mine, but we have met in person and connect on many other levels so that our different philosophies don't matter a great deal.
Yes road rage is a very good analogy.
Accidentally bump into someone whilst walking and it's usually apologies on both sides.
Accidentally bump into someone whilst driving and it's can turn nasty.
Disagree with someone in a face to face discussion and it should be reasonableness all around.
Disagree with an avatar and it can turn nasty.
I think it may be different when people do know each other personally though. If you have met someone face to face and actually don't like them then I can understand that you are going to carry it over onto the computer screen. You can't like everyone after all. ( I should say ' I ' can't like everyone. There may be some who do).Which is my point on this site. Many do seem to know each other.
If they don't, then it seems very childish really to lose control arguing with someone that they don't know the age, gender, location or quantity of.
It may be different,of course, if people didn't conceal their identity.
Thanks
Thomas Covenant
Anybody know the origin and meaning of the word "avatar?" Hint: it's Sanskrit.
Eclipse's link is close.
Here's one that works: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar_(virtual_reality)
Where do you suppose they get "virtual reality" when the word means "to descend?"
Avatar typically refers to an incarnation of God. Krishna was an avatar of the Hindu god Shiva.
