[beppe]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

I didn't read your whole post, but in a nutshell, there is a place called "second life". apparently it totally becomes a second life. relationships are made and broken there that affect relationships IRL. financial transactions occur there which affects life IRL. I have never so much as peeked at it. this is as sucked in as I care to get

Thank you KK. I heard about that place. I have hard time imagining something that sucks you in more that what you decide to let yourself be sucked in.

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Basically, you are playing with fire if you are trying for "personal interactions on the internet"
Bear in mind, Beppe, you never really know who you are 'interacting' with. That lovely sounding lady, with the sexy posts, and way with words, could be a naked 13 or 78 year old ugly person sitting in their parents basement.

Not to mention, the time you spend online interacting with them should be spent with your partner, and I"m not just singling you out, I"m speaking in general.

Wise words, thank you DG. I am convinced that here on MR there is plenty of nice people, and not many camouflaged uglies. Also the way the personal page is organized one can see the posting record of a possible interacting internaut, and get a better "tomography".

Time is indeed the currency in use on Internet. And the most precious commodity I can think of. This I have been slowly learning myself. E.M: Foster pointed that out repeatedly and clearly. The lectures that the main character delivers to her friends last 10 minutes.

It is also a general fact that the new generations have difficulties in staying on a topic for more than few keywords. I use that expression on purpose.

It is also very true that free time spent on Internet is subtracted to other interests, often in a deceiving manner, and sometimes even with deceiving purposes. Self deceiving being the worst I think.

Thank you for the wise replies. I hope that you will find more occasions to contribute to this thread.

Originally Posted by wvcherrybomb

I hate to have such a short answer for such a long and thoughtful post but only two words come to mind:

PEOPLE LIE

Yes wvcherrybomb. We move through shadows and blinding flashes of light.

Originally Posted by phenomshel

I never thought about it. I usually pick avatars that I like, either of my cats, or something pretty, like my roses here, or fantasy artwork. I have used pictures of myself on my Facebook page, though. Right now I'm using a picture of Toryn, there. I do have pictures of Toryn and my daughter in my albums here. I don't think I've ever used an avatar to "be someone else" though, and have it be representative of my personality. With me, pretty much what you see here is what you get IRL, too. Ask Rebarnmom or Deb, LOL.

Thank you shel. I like to play with you.