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Great article. I sometimes wonder if one of the issues with discourse on the internet is user accounts. On social media we have online virtual personae that we
by yung_steezy 5y ago
Great article. I sometimes wonder if one of the issues with discourse on the internet is user accounts. On social media we have online virtual personae that we cultivate and pay attention to like a tamagotchi. That leads to people being in two minds during every discourse - 'what do I think about this?' and 'what does my persona think about this?' don't always align. It becomes more challenging to admit faults, play devils advocate or experiment with different views.
- Kaibeezy 5y agoAgree. People use personas for protection. Discussions are both fully exposed and so often quickly become contentious. It’s rare to find a safe space within which to develop a view.
- fragileone 5y agoSelf-censorship is far worse when you're forced to use your real identity online. Then you have crazies online who might start cyberstalking, sending things to your family and friends, trying to get you fired from your job, etc. Personas have limitations but the social cooling from real-life repercussions is far greater.