The True Nature of Humanity

[MasseyWV]

It's safe to say that we each have our own perceptions about what most people are really like, but what if we're all wrong? It reminds me of an old saying that goes something like this...

"There is the truth others want us to see, there is the truth we want to see, then there is simply the truth."

 

[MossRoad]

It's safe to say that we each have our own perceptions about what most people are really like, but what if we're all wrong?....

Sounds like you're doubting your core beliefs, man.

 

[brin]

Ok, my observations.. I think most people are pretty nice for real. Yes it is very easy to misconstrue what someone means in an internet post. I used to have a boss who when he sent me an email, I would often say to myself "what in he77 does he mean by that?"..But when we spoke face to face (only once in a while since his office was 80 miles away) we never had any trouble understanding one another. So yes I am sure I have said some things that have been taken wrong by others, and I know I have misconstrued what someone else meant by what they typed here. I would like to think that what my persona is here is what I am really like in person. So If you don't like me here, I am guessing you might not like me any better up close and personal.. However as only a few have actually met me, I cannot be sure. But I will assure you I do not make any effort to mask my real persona, or try to be someone else.

James K0UA

But I will assure you I do not make any effort to mask my real persona, or try to be someone else.

James, I am what I am....as Popeye said...What you see here is what I am....I agree, I am just myself.

 

[k0ua]

James, I am what I am....as Popeye said...What you see here is what I am....I agree, I am just myself.

"I Yam what I Yam".. yep ... ole Popeye had it right.

 

[MasseyWV]

Sounds like you're doubting your core beliefs, man.

My beliefs remain unchanged and the only thing I have reason to doubt is other people. I just like to consider all the possibilities and suggested that others do the same, albeit in the form of a question. BTW: I find it odd that you only quoted the first part of what I said, which tends to change it's context, just a little. Besides, you left out the best part...

"There is the truth others want us to see, there is the truth we want to see, then there is simply the truth."

 

[LMan1967]

I honestly don't even try.

Yeah. What's the point of this post? This is like a "why is the sky blue, daddy?" question.

 

[cqaigy2]

James, I am what I am....as Popeye said...What you see here is what I am....I agree, I am just myself.

I believe the quote would be "I yam what I yam"

 

[MossRoad]

My beliefs remain unchanged and the only thing I have reason to doubt is other people. I just like to consider all the possibilities and suggested that others do the same, albeit in the form of a question. BTW: I find it odd that you only quoted the first part of what I said, which tends to change it's context, just a little. Besides, you left out the best part...

"There is the truth others want us to see, there is the truth we want to see, then there is simply the truth."

It was sarcasim.

 

[MasseyWV]

It was sarcasim.

I know it was and responded to it accordingly.

 

[MasseyWV]

The Internet can remove a person's filters. I think the communication on the Internet can show someone's true personality but one has to be careful since we are having to go by the written word which can be misinterpreted. I do think must of the angst on the Internet is taking words a bit to personally or placing more emphasis on these words than the writer meant.

I agree that the written word can be a tricky thing, especially when interpreted by thinking-feeling people. One may mean something in a positive way, but it could easily be interpreted to mean the exact opposite. In fact, it's happened to me often, probably because I tend to be very "matter of fact" about things, showing little emotion and sticking to whatever I want to say while rarely using the common platitudes or gestures many other people may use.

I do have opinions about people on the website's I visit. I think most of the opinions I have of people on the websites I visit are positive. There are negative opinions as well. I try to give the person the benefit of the doubt since we are only reading and we do not have body language. However, over time, I do think a fair representation of the person is revealed.

This is one of the points I was trying to make. Much as it takes time to get to know someone in real life, it also takes time and careful observation to do the same online. Snap judgments are easy to make based on very little information, but it's usually a good idea to reserve judgment about someone until a pattern of behavior begins to emerge. Even then, one has to be careful because some people show very little of their true selves in a public setting. They may be a wolf in a sheep's clothing or a sheep in a wolf's clothing, but only time can reveal the truth.

The problem with the internet is that it's all so... impersonal. IMHO