Comments on: Are Your Online Friends Real?

By: Chad6719

Chad6719 — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:29:53 +0000

I think what these people are trying to hint at is that it has to do a bit with direct emotional response really. For example, you can’t always “see” what the other person’s facial expressions are online unless they are using a webcam. Its not they believe that the online friends are not real people. Its that you may not truly know them on a deep and personally close level. {and in some cases, they maty not even be who they say they are} Even if they use an emoticon; how can you judge that that emoticon is exemplitive of what they are really feeling?; or just what they wanted you to think they were feeling. Even if they show you a picture, how can you know fr certain that it is truthfully what they look like? It also has to do with tangibility; can you phyisically hug; or hit for that matter, a person online? No. While the friendship online may be “real” (and then it again it may only be real from one person’s perspective… i.e. yours) I don’t think online friendships are equivicobal to offline friendships. What I do think is that both may be “real” in their own respects. But what can you do with your online friends that you can’t do with offline friends? Just something to get you thinking.

By: Imperfect Action » Blog Archive » A hand full of Friends

Imperfect Action » Blog Archive » A hand full of Friends — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 06:51:31 +0000

[...] Are Your Online Friends Real? [...]

By: Mactex

Mactex — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 02:00:20 +0000

I do have alot of friends online, some I know very well, even though I haven’t met them in person. so ya, they are real. the relationship is a little different however, since im not seeing that person, I can get away with more.

By: Zavrion

Zavrion — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 03:25:48 +0000

I think there is a certain personality type that leads a totally different life online. I refer to them as social Lamprey eels. They are the people you introduce to people because you feel bad for them, but the only end up trying to emulate you. Then when you aren’t looking they try to take over your role in the social circle.

Sure, the Lamprey eel hasn’t evolved to more then a sock with teeth, but when it does..

To some extent they are real, but you may never know if thats how they act in reality. When I play an MMO I choose a Female character so I can get items out of people, sadly that works. Personally, as horrible as it sounds in games I try to use people as much as possible. So, I guess when comes down to something some one wants, they probably aren’t being themselves.

I hope they are real, but I know too many people that lead two lives in order to trust them fully.

By: bradleybradwell

bradleybradwell — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 03:32:58 +0000

I do believe that online friends are real. In some cases though people will mislead you and make you think their your friend. That’s why online safety is key.

By: Ash

Ash — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:47:40 +0000

I love my online friends, but I live with 7 offline friends and despite the social networking aspects available on the net today for communication, there’s nothing quite like chowing down with my housemates and bantering (chatting, watching movies etc) in the flesh. Just having someone there, the chemistry of it, is important to me. I think I’d be lonely without offline friends even while having a lot online.

Even though I’m a geek I do like to go partying too!

By: Pandy

Pandy — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:25:21 +0000

My online friends know me the way none of my RL friends do. I can express myself more honestly online, therefor my online friends mean as much, if not more than my real friends. I say real friends but I don’t actually have many. IDK maybe I should get out more, but why? LOL

By: Jamie

Jamie — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:36:02 +0000

Sure they are real friendships. I have friends that I only go out drinking with. I have friends that I work with, friends that I can call when I really need a favor, or a laugh, and some of these are online, some are off. Some online relationships are based on a history of real life history. Perhaps we found each other on Facebook and haven’t seen each other since high school. But communicating with them via internet, phone, or face to face doesn’t make a difference to me. I’ve met several online friends, and some know more about me than anyone I’ve met in real life. If it endures, and is mutually satisfactory, it’s real.

By: I wanna sexy setup..... - Geeks!

I wanna sexy setup..... - Geeks! — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:12:43 +0000

[...] Are Your Online Friends Real? [...]

By: Dave Peterson

Dave Peterson — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:41:16 +0000

I think real world friends, no matter how fantastic they are, most likely became friends because of geographic proximity. Online friendships usually spring from strongly shared interests. That’s an edge for online right from the start.

By: Wade

Wade — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:31:12 +0000

None of my online friends are real. I make them up. In fact, I made you up. Who’d believe Chris Pirillo is real? Come on!

By: Gerald

Gerald — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:59:07 +0000

I agree completely. Besides…Online friends are real, you just haven’t verified it yet. LOL

By: Michelle N.

Michelle N. — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:05:47 +0000

I have more in common with my online friends than a lot of people I know in real life and that’s because I have the whole world available to me online. I can search for friends who hold the same interests as I do. I’m not limited by geography.

By: Grant

Grant — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:44:07 +0000

The difference for me is I can give my wife and buds a big hug.

I can’t (for the most part) do the same to the people I love and respect on-line.

By: Liyan

Liyan — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:25:36 +0000

I know. I made friend online in the same country! Though my dad says to be careful I know she’s legit ^_^!