Forum Posters - are they real....

1. 67

   The Bardposted 13 years ago

   I didnt create that question, I found it in passing. But it beggars the question  - are forum junkies here for their fix?
   
   Does it all boil down to attention seeking and a desire to be special, or to merely hold a virtual presence because in the real world there is insignificance. I dont know the answer but here is my observation.
   
   As an occasional online poker player, I lose more than I win, but I play for real money and I am a sucker for the thrill.
   
   One day I played on the "play money" tables. These are tables for players who, for one reason or another dont wish to pay hard cash. And many have won "pretend" money of thousands of dollars.
   
   its possible to have a chat during the course of all games, so I naturally questioned the wisdom of these players who were vehemently engrossed with their "play" money. They come from all over the world (although players from the USA are banned from European tables). One said that he practiced here for tournaments. That made sense. Another said that he has nothing better to do, and it's free. Another said that it is a masculine thing. The large dick syndrome - a desire just to be better (even in a pretend world). And that is a great carrot. Another asked why I was there? Because I was curious, I replied.
   
   So I lost $1000 dollars of pretend money because I couldn't take it seriously. Yet I felt disappointed. I was angry with myself because I had lost money which didn't exist nor owned, and nor could spend if I won. You see, other players were better than me at winning money which didn't exist.
   
   And this is the point of forum posting. You may be who you are, you may not be, but in this brave new world, who knows what is pretend and what is not. Who knows if I am real, or just an antagonistic virtual protagonist?

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      Randy Godwinposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      You're as real as I am!

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      prettydarkhorseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Like what a sociologist said, maybe it is true -- you always try to project what is expected of you, not the real you -- you create a virtual "you" - the one you want others to perceive as "you". The Johari window in psychology. Or maybe there are really things which you can say better in writing than in face to face conversation or vice versa..

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2. 61

   ediggityposted 13 years ago

   Yes.

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3. 60

   paradigmsearchposted 13 years ago

   "Forum Posters - are they real...."
   
   Actually, approximately 80 percent of the posts on HP forums are by bots. Same as at some online poker games.

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4. 0

   DoorMattnomoreposted 13 years ago

   im real. and yes, in real life invisable.

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5. 60

   paradigmsearchposted 13 years ago

   Just kidding...

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6. 78

   Mighty Momposted 13 years ago

   Is this some kind of philosophy "prove you exist" test?
   I can't tell you if I'm "real" per se.
   I'm here and I'm me. (or, to be grammatically correct, I'm I - I think).
   That said, the forums wouldn't be the forums without our trolls and sock puppets!

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      DoorMattnomoreposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      uhhhhh if your not real, how did those letters   ^^^^   get there?

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      Randy Godwinposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I disagree, MM!  The forums would be much better without them!

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   3. 67

      The Bardposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      If you say so. Who am I too argue?

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      kimberlyslyricsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      unreal!
      
      
      
      kiss

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7. 70

   Cagsilposted 13 years ago

   Actually, the perception of the Internet is one of a virtual world, or Cyber-world, thus taking away any form of real. People recognize "virtual" as a game and they use the Internet as that.
   
   People think that what they say and do online with other people isn't real? It's just typing into a computer. However, at the end of the computer you are typing on is a real life person. You have no clue how that person is going to react, because you cannot see them or their expressions within a conversation.
   
   You have no body language to give tell tales. However, when it comes to typing, and to do it fluidly, it usually requires a conscious effort. The flow of words you use to form a sentence, tells tales itself. These words once display reveal more than realized and effect a great many more.
   
   People like to play games and irresponsibly use the Internet to play all sorts of gimmicks, tricks, scams, schemes or defamation of someone else- but since it's the Internet, no harm no foul seems to be the thinking.
   
   People need to be more careful about the Internet, because their actions could result in the death of another? And, don't say it's not ever happened, because it already has in more ways than you can shake a stick at.
   
   That's my thoughts on it.

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   1. 67

      The Bardposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thats the spirit old chap. Pontificate pedantically and pretentiously and we will all be the wiser. I'm sorry to sink your boat, but this type of reply is the very thing I was talking about. I'm sure you are a decent bloke, but rampant waffle like this is purely poppycock.
      
      Of course, I respect your point of view. I really do! For I admire you, and consider you a great hubmeister. I don't know you, but you are up there in my list of top echelon hubbers.  But don't be offended by my previous disrespect.
      
      I may be a fifth columnist, designed and primed to undermine you, and all that you represent. Do we know if  the previous commentators are who they are?
      
      "aye, there's the rub"
      
      A Bard always falls back on Shakespeare. It's the grand exit!

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8. 91

   Pcunixposted 13 years ago

   I'm real.  You can follow my profile to my business web site and find my real name, address and telephone number.  You could easily verify  all of that with other on-line resources.

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9. 0

   kimberlyslyricsposted 13 years ago

   real, is as real, as each individual needs this to be. 
   
   
   this is really real too.
   
   
   
   what?

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      kimberlyslyricsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      really really unreal fight, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

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    SomewayOuttaHereposted 13 years ago

    ...depends on what my day looks like....sometimes i'm really fighting crime....
    
    

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