Thursday, December 14, 2006
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Thursday, December 14, 2006
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It was in 1998 when I first got the taste of online chatting. YM and other instant messenger systems were virtually non-existent at that time (although AIM released their first version in 1997, it was practically unknown at that period). IRC, or Internet Relay Chat, ruled the chatting world then. The late 90s saw the monumental interest and passion toward Internet in the Philippines, so you could just imagine how hooked and hyped Filipino geeks were with the web. So when a friend introduced me to the wonder world of online fantasy — boom! — it hit me. In no time, I instantly went gaga over the net.
Who wouldn't get hooked with this technology? In a chatroom, you can bask in different identities. You can shroud yourself with another personality. You can either act like a pious saint or behave like a wicked asshole, and nobody can figure out what you really are. Usually, chatrooms become the outlet of your evil self — the bitch side of you. Once inside, you can blow your own trumpet. You can act like a big cheese. You can cry wolf. You can spit on the face of a person you hate (of course, in an "Internet action"). You can lie, you can curse, you can preach — it's all up to you. But while all these bells and whistles may enchant you and get you hooked, it can also get you in trouble. If you are in a cyber world and you act like a babe in a woods, you'll be a loser. Stupidity has no place in the Internet. Online romance, get-rich-quick scheme, etc. — these are just some of the stuff you need to familiarize yourself with. Newbies or users who are new in the Internet are usually the target because they are so gullible they think the real world and online world co-exists together. And it's usually too late before they get their senses back.
My girlfriend and I have had scores of arguments over the intention or direction (if there is any) that people, or I to be more specific, have in joining some online chatrooms and forums. So what's with the chatting and forums? There are five intentions I can think of:
1) romance (may include sex)
2) friendship/company
3) money
4) intellectual pursuit/information/knowledge
5) plain adventure (when bored)
Frankly, no. 1 was my first intention. I was in my college and my hormonal universe that time was in overdrive. And there comes number 2, but it was really vital to number 1. I mean, most romantic relationships, whether meaningful or not, start with friendship, right? LOL (the moves). What about money? Nah. Intellectual pursuit? Not at that time. Plain adventure? Nah. That would be too expensive. I hate to admit but aside from my cellphone bill, my Internet escapades burned my pocket really fast. I usually ran out of money before weekends came. All I wanted was a romance. Talk about being desperate. LOL!
Noon yun. Pramis! (I know some will raise eyebrows haha). Chatting today or joining forums, for me, are just mainly for number 4. Friendship will not be out of the picture completely, but that is not my intention anymore. Friendship will just come. No more silly cyber romance. Wallowing in the world of fantasy is not my cup of tea anymore. I've gotten over all these Internet hypes except this blog. That's what I can do best while lingering on the crazy world of Internet.
Who wouldn't get hooked with this technology? In a chatroom, you can bask in different identities. You can shroud yourself with another personality. You can either act like a pious saint or behave like a wicked asshole, and nobody can figure out what you really are. Usually, chatrooms become the outlet of your evil self — the bitch side of you. Once inside, you can blow your own trumpet. You can act like a big cheese. You can cry wolf. You can spit on the face of a person you hate (of course, in an "Internet action"). You can lie, you can curse, you can preach — it's all up to you. But while all these bells and whistles may enchant you and get you hooked, it can also get you in trouble. If you are in a cyber world and you act like a babe in a woods, you'll be a loser. Stupidity has no place in the Internet. Online romance, get-rich-quick scheme, etc. — these are just some of the stuff you need to familiarize yourself with. Newbies or users who are new in the Internet are usually the target because they are so gullible they think the real world and online world co-exists together. And it's usually too late before they get their senses back.
My girlfriend and I have had scores of arguments over the intention or direction (if there is any) that people, or I to be more specific, have in joining some online chatrooms and forums. So what's with the chatting and forums? There are five intentions I can think of:
1) romance (may include sex)
2) friendship/company
3) money
4) intellectual pursuit/information/knowledge
5) plain adventure (when bored)
Frankly, no. 1 was my first intention. I was in my college and my hormonal universe that time was in overdrive. And there comes number 2, but it was really vital to number 1. I mean, most romantic relationships, whether meaningful or not, start with friendship, right? LOL (the moves). What about money? Nah. Intellectual pursuit? Not at that time. Plain adventure? Nah. That would be too expensive. I hate to admit but aside from my cellphone bill, my Internet escapades burned my pocket really fast. I usually ran out of money before weekends came. All I wanted was a romance. Talk about being desperate. LOL!
Noon yun. Pramis! (I know some will raise eyebrows haha). Chatting today or joining forums, for me, are just mainly for number 4. Friendship will not be out of the picture completely, but that is not my intention anymore. Friendship will just come. No more silly cyber romance. Wallowing in the world of fantasy is not my cup of tea anymore. I've gotten over all these Internet hypes except this blog. That's what I can do best while lingering on the crazy world of Internet.
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