That's why I still keep my LJ - mostly friend locked, so I can still spill every now and then. I carefully vet everything I put on Facebook and Twitter because I know family might be reading - and it's among the most boring content I spill out onto the Web.
I miss my safe space, where I could be myself and not be afraid that people would see. I had friends I could confide in in total privacy - I don't make real life connections well, so they were my only friends... now I feel they've disappeared. LiveJournal is perhaps the last connection I have left to the Internet as it used to be - a place where I could be myself without any consequences or complications from RL, and it's dying. More and more people are moving away either from the Internet completely, or into microblogging. I miss them sharing with me as much as I miss sharing with them.
Thanks for pointing out a feeling I hadn't been able to put my finger on, though. That's been bugging me for quite a while.
I'm glad you can relate. In fact, I was surprised to see any responses to this, much less the more interesting ones I have received.
I know we don't always get along, but I do think you and I think very alike- particularly in terms of our... hrmm, *unique* outlooks on the nature of introversion. I mean, we're weird. Dealing with people is weird. I'm not the best at it myself, but even the most horribly awkward moments of it are still too interesting to pass up.
I certainly do miss the subtle walls between our 'identities' and our 'lives' all the same.
There is a way to sort-of dodge it, so long as you don't mind being a dinosaur in the hip kids' eyes. I don't have Facebook, Twitter, or MySpace accounts, and I keep my real name (mostly) out of LJ. Only close RL friends know my handle, no one from work or anything like that. I plan on remaining the little catgirl for as long as the Internets allow...
I had thought about that. You're a slippery one; I have no awareness of you on any other networks. I'm not even certain how I caught up to you here.
That said, I take amusement in how dreadfully far we go back.
...even if it means you remember the more bizarre, awkward, and hysterical moments of my youth. I mean, seriously, you IMed me... thirteen years ago. Holy shit. We go way back. I'm pretty sure you were the first Hot Girl On The Internets as far as I was aware.
At the same time, we're not uber-close. We don't communicate often but I am compelled to trust you and have no reason not to. We share no common contacts, no real-life networks, nothing- largely, I see, of your own choosing.
Through extension of some of my own logic, I can trust you more than anybody else here. I'm all warm and fuzzy!
I had the same problem yesterday. I can't post what I would like to on Facebook because my 7 year old second cousin that I have probably said a total of 5 words to has friended me for some reason.
I know what you mean...anytime I go to post something on facebook I have to second guess what I post because I have relatives on there and it's gotten me into trouble a few times. With Twitter there aren't specific locks so I can't rant about Gertha too much seeing as she has access to my Twitter. I even had to friendslock LiveJournal because nosy relatives wanted to see what I was up to.
Now that people older than me and younger than me have access to the internet, it's not safe. I write all my deepest thoughts in a personal journal I keep now and barely ever update LiveJournal anymore. It's kind of sad. I've had this thing for seven years now...
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That's why I still keep my LJ - mostly friend locked, so I can still spill every now and then. I carefully vet everything I put on Facebook and Twitter because I know family might be reading - and it's among the most boring content I spill out onto the Web.
I miss my safe space, where I could be myself and not be afraid that people would see. I had friends I could confide in in total privacy - I don't make real life connections well, so they were my only friends... now I feel they've disappeared. LiveJournal is perhaps the last connection I have left to the Internet as it used to be - a place where I could be myself without any consequences or complications from RL, and it's dying. More and more people are moving away either from the Internet completely, or into microblogging. I miss them sharing with me as much as I miss sharing with them.
Thanks for pointing out a feeling I hadn't been able to put my finger on, though. That's been bugging me for quite a while.
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I know we don't always get along, but I do think you and I think very alike- particularly in terms of our... hrmm, *unique* outlooks on the nature of introversion. I mean, we're weird. Dealing with people is weird. I'm not the best at it myself, but even the most horribly awkward moments of it are still too interesting to pass up.
I certainly do miss the subtle walls between our 'identities' and our 'lives' all the same.
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That said, I take amusement in how dreadfully far we go back.
...even if it means you remember the more bizarre, awkward, and hysterical moments of my youth. I mean, seriously, you IMed me... thirteen years ago. Holy shit. We go way back. I'm pretty sure you were the first Hot Girl On The Internets as far as I was aware.
At the same time, we're not uber-close. We don't communicate often but I am compelled to trust you and have no reason not to. We share no common contacts, no real-life networks, nothing- largely, I see, of your own choosing.
Through extension of some of my own logic, I can trust you more than anybody else here. I'm all warm and fuzzy!
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Now that people older than me and younger than me have access to the internet, it's not safe. I write all my deepest thoughts in a personal journal I keep now and barely ever update LiveJournal anymore. It's kind of sad. I've had this thing for seven years now...
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