So Much Better On-Line

  Written by Doug Bauknight on Mar 28, 2008 2:18 pm

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My wife teases me that one of these days she’s going to find my pocket protector and inch thick wide rim glasses hidden somewhere around this house. She finds me sometimes late at night here in my recliner with laptop placed in front of me, fingers on the keyboard, eyes closed and happily snoring away. (At least that's what she tells me.)

I love being on the computer, it’s such a cool toy. The invention of the internet makes it even better with packets of information and resources available. Pick any subject of your choice, and it’s a mere search term and click away.

I use to post a lot more than I do now on message boards and forums. I found it a great resource to find new ideas, tools, and what excited and motivated people. I even found forums for debating, which I find stimulating and a ton of fun. I love reading profiles on Social Networking Forums, and I have a few of my own but most are with limited participation. It’s not that I don’t like it; to the contrary I love it. It just takes up a vast amount of time that could be better used elsewhere.

I’ve observed, laughed with, and even laughed at a select group of the posters I’ve seen and even some I’ve had the pleasure to come in contact with. I wish I could tell you that they shall remain nameless in order to protect them but they’ve already made that choice for you and me.

The “anonymous” poster.

When I say “anonymous” I’m not just talking about those comments you see sprinkled all over this blog. It’s also the handles without any real name or identity attached to them.

“There is a powerful tension in our relationship to technology. We are excited by egalitarianism and anonymity, but we constantly fight for our identity.”
~ David Owens

Have you ever noticed how those without any true identity are always the ones who have absolutely no interest in learning anything? They appear to have this “I know that” disorder. (The three of the most dangerous words put together in any language.) Their purpose is to educate the rest of us on how we should view and live in this world. Their life always seems to be absolutely perfect as an added bonus for the rest of us.

Posting on-line can offer a certain anonymity that you really can’t find anywhere else. (AA offers anonymity as well, but after close to 20 years of sobriety, I happen to like telling people I’ve been sober that long.) It’s not like the average person would be able to figure out your true identity if they wanted to. We use handles, such as “TravelPro” that we all recognize and call “posters” by. That’s the beauty of being a “poster”. We can be, do, and say anything we want without having to take any real lumps. It’s a great way to dodge any bullets coming back at you.

It seems for many, they can live out their fantasies, vent their anger, or start just about any rumor they want without being held accountable. It’s almost a perfect world for those who want to remain invisible when needed.

I have to laugh at how some posters relish in their anonymity. The more anonymous they are, usually the more straight forward they are, the more money they make, and the smarter they are than the rest of the group. They have all sorts of experience and education the rest of us don’t have, but yet can’t offer any proof or documentation…after all they’re anonymous.

I use to question…What is it about you that you have to hide? What kind of skeletons do you have in your closet? Why aren’t you good enough to offer up a real live person? What is so hard about being honest with people about who you are and what you do?

Maybe the truth of the matter is that we just like living out our dreams and fantasies on-line. It’s just too difficult for some to do that in real life, and cyberspace just happens to be the next best thing!

Who knew?

I was talking about anonymity with my sponsor last week and he told me to find a video that I would enjoy. If you know me, you know I’m a 70’s gen rock and roller, and I’m not a big fan of Country Music. Although my wife has warmed me up to the genre to make it a little more bearable.

I’m going to leave you for the weekend with this video from Brad Paisley which I hope puts a smile on your face as it has mine. Don’t tell anyone, but I’ve also been caught singing it in the shower. And no you don't want to hear, I’ve been told Brad sings it much better than I do.

Enjoy your weekend, and don’t spend the entire time “Online”.

http://video.yahoo.com/watch/1045824/3894788

Doug & Ronda Bauknight

AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

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