Isnt it funny how people still say that being too long on the internet is anti-social when majority of ppl who are on the internet long are either talkin on IM alot, playing multiplayer games or something to that effect, all of which are socializing.
Always seems that people's view of socializing is just that you have to go out partying or something like that.
Mind you extremes are bad. Meaning one would of course should go out with friends and all. But it is also the same thing playing an online game with friends and chatting online (and cheaper as well ;p).
The only situation I can see where being on a computer becomes antisocial is where you never chat online and only play single player games.
Well, as you cannot really avoid being around any kinds of people these days, it's all about with whom and how you socialize.
Multiplayer gaming hardly seems like socializing when you mostly meet random strangers and don't interact much with them.
Personally, I like playing together with friends a lot, but I hate multiplayer gaming.
So are you saying that going out to a bar or something isn't socializing? I mean, you often end up meeting random strangers and you definitely won't interact with all of them. But still, this is considered an acceptable form of socializing.
This debate over the internet leading to kids being anti-social is really a conflict of different opinions of different generations.
>>Multiplayer gaming hardly seems like socializing when you mostly meet random strangers and don't interact much with them.
It depends what kind of multiplayer games I guess. Take for example Counterstrike. If you just jumped in any server that was your liking then ya thats hardly socializing. But if you frequented one particular server and start getting to know the regulars better well thats socializing because you are getting to know new people.
And how about MMORPGs like World of Warcraft where you are constantly grouping with other players. Thats another form of socializing.
And yes I do agree playing together with friends is alot more fun. Most of my games are bought just to play with my irl friends.
I'd have to say that socializing on the net is far different then socializing IRL
Socializing on the net is imo purer then it is irl. You're online avatar is not subjected to any prejudice, the way people socialize with you is purely based on your actions/in-actions.
Whatever happened to good old reality?
Reality would be pissed and kicking your ass if she knew how you blokes are dissing her on the interweb.
I don't think this was a question of one being better than the other. We are simply arguing over whether or not chatting and such on the net can be considered socializing.
While it's really no replacement for face to face socialization, the internet can still be used to socialize! And most "anti-social" kids are actually doing the opposite, and are being quite social, just in a different way than others might be used to.
Yeah, I pretty much don't go to bars to meet strangers for that very reason. To an introvert person, this has no appeal whatsoever, and I think the same thing about online gaming.
Chatting with friends online > walking around town wearing an iPod
>>9
I am an introvert and I like online gambling!
No-one can hug you on the internet :(
No one can punch you in the face, either.
But they can punch you in the ego. A different kind of pain.
They can also hug your ego. A different kind of ... err
I beg to differ. People do judge others based on their avatars.
I wouldn't say that the interaction is purer, because there are aspects of communication and interaction that is significantly more difficult to pick up through text. For example, if you say something that is horribly wounding to someone, you can see it in their eyes, no matter what they say. You already know you've gone too far, and can apologize right there. However, online, it's much harder to tell, unless the person deliberately clues you in. Hence emoticons. However, not everyone will take them seriously and for good reason. I can toss out as many little guys as I want to without having any real emotional response. It's much more difficult to fake emotional responses in person. It can be done, but it's harder.
Also you have those who intentionally bulldoze people on line, because it's easier to ignore the effect you have on others when you can keep yourself physically away from it. Also, it helps that noone can punch you in the face if you're a total asshole.
Neither is better or purer than the other. Both focus on, and distill, aspects the other doesn't.