Do you think people pretend to be completely different people online? Some do, I’m sure, but I think most of us are just versions of ourselves.
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Online discussions and handles can bring our parts of personality that might not show up at the office or with friends.
I remember going to a CH potluck about 15 years ago, and the online personas didn’t always seem to match the person. Sometimes they did. One of the mods seemed to think Phoenikia was a bit of a bitch. 
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I think it’s much easier to pretend to be a different person online - that is, if one cares about how one comes off to total strangers one is unlikely to ever meet in person.
In fact, interacting online seems to give a lot of people license to act out their absolute worst side - in a way that I don’t think most would talk to each other if they were face to face… at least I would hope so.
And while I’ve witnessed beautiful moments of kindness, there also seem to be a LOT of Very Angry Folks who use their time online to work out whatever demons they struggle with. I can’t know nor would I ever assume that they sustain similar levels of outrage offline, as that seems both psychologically and physically unhealthy in the long term.
I admin a few groups here and there & keep a pretty tight ship, so personal attacks or anything that veers into the political realm get shut down pronto, but it’s disheartening to see the level of pugnacity with which (possibly) decent, rational people engage.
Certainly, the level of passive-aggressiveness the online world facilitates is unsurpassed.
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This is the key issue right here.
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Which is why I try to focus on those who can muster a modicum of respectful discourse, regardless of subject matter or different view points. No need to up my BP meds at this point, tank you berry much.
PS: Face to face also doesn’t allow for spewing paragraph after paragraph of angry rants, then slapping a smile emoji on it to imply friendliness or ‘j/k.’ But that’s just more of that PA shit I can’t stomach.
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Pennsylvania?
Palo Alto?
Ma and Pa Kettle?
I’m really bad at these letter games.
Passive aggressive.
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That certainly describes Ma and Pa Kettle.
Thanks!
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I was an admin on a site once, and the few affirmatively bad apples made it hell for the rest of us - admins and members both. I have always had a rule that I’d never post anything online that I wouldn’t attach my real identity to, but from what I experienced, a lot of folks don’t share that way of doing things.
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See, the thing with my groups is… you’re out after ONE personal attack… unless it’s not terribly egregious, then just a warning. But the second offense is a strike-out.
I cherish my inner peace, what can I say 
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I see we have the same zeal for organization. Messy desk is a sure sign of genius sitting behind it.
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Oooh . . . can we guess which mod 
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I learned early in life that Mark Twain was right . . . to be a good liar you have to have a good memory. My memory’s not so good, so I tend to just be me. I have, however, come across more than a few folks on line who live a very full fantasy life. If it makes them feel better, who am I to judge?
IRL I really have no choice. I’m told I have the world’s worst poker face.
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Hahaha, she is a friend now. LOL. Doesn’t participate here. But maybe she lurks. 
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Well that eliminates my guess 
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Yeah, nobody really ever has to wonder what I am thinking, according to… oh, everyone who knows me 
I’m better at that when it comes to cards, thankfully.
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I stay far away from the card table!
Ya gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em
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