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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by curtm on May 9, 2006, at 16:51:49
I have been wondering about the effect of internet socializing on the mind. Does it make a person more or less sociable in the real world? Does the internet desensitize a person to the value of interacting face to face like it does everything else? Or does it help someone to become better at socializing through the communication used between e-friends?
I feel better when I open up my feelings in a special place like this, but I don't think I would be as open even with my closest friends (not that I have any.) When I interact in public, I think to myself "I would rather be "pscho-babbling." At night I try to think of things I could post. I write them down. It has become an integral part of my life. I can't wait to get back into e-land and leave everything else behind.
Posted by wildcardII on May 9, 2006, at 19:54:17
In reply to Internet socializing, posted by curtm on May 9, 2006, at 16:51:49
for me personally, there is an element of safety by opening up via babble...
Posted by Phillipa on May 9, 2006, at 21:15:31
In reply to Re: Internet socializing » curtm, posted by wildcardII on May 9, 2006, at 19:54:17
Actually it depends if I am comfortable with a person no problem in real life but I'm addicted to babbleland. I guess it could be worse though And wildcard11 you won't escape me with a baby gift. Love Phillipa
Posted by Deneb on May 9, 2006, at 22:13:05
In reply to Internet socializing, posted by curtm on May 9, 2006, at 16:51:49
I would definitely say that internet socializing helps me. I normally don't do any socializing at all. I don't have many social skills. I'm learning a lot from having online friends. Sometimes when I'm socializing in real life and can't think of anything to talk about, I imagine that I'm chatting online.
Deneb*
Posted by milly on May 10, 2006, at 9:11:04
In reply to Internet socializing, posted by curtm on May 9, 2006, at 16:51:49
I don't really have a problem with socializing in real life but a small trap i fell into this week was forgetting that IRL there is not the understanding of 'mental health' issues that there is on babble. So if you accidently tell the truth to the question 'How are you?' it can result in rejection/misunderstanding/hurt etc. I don't know if IRL many people have as much self awareness that babblers have or empathy.
milly
Posted by Phillipa on May 10, 2006, at 18:49:24
In reply to Re: Internet socializing, posted by milly on May 10, 2006, at 9:11:04
Seriously Milly I am finding more people I run into that take psych meds. My next door neighbor a teacher takes lexapro and xanax. The couple across the street both on zoloft. I sit in a waiting room anywhere and start to talk to the person and before long I know the meds they are on. So many people I know have problems and take meds to solve them or try to. Where would the money come from if real people were not taking med? Love Phillipa
Posted by TexasChic on May 11, 2006, at 19:02:44
In reply to Re: Internet socializing, posted by milly on May 10, 2006, at 9:11:04
> I don't really have a problem with socializing in real life but a small trap i fell into this week was forgetting that IRL there is not the understanding of 'mental health' issues that there is on babble.
I've done the same thing. I'm learning to keep my mouth shut. You just never know what a person's knowledge (or prejudice) is on the subject. I've regretted telling many times.
As for the original question, I've been wondering about it myself. I don't have an answer yet.
-T
This is the end of the thread.
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