[zarc]

Originally Posted by Geoff

-Tribalism

Like all social groupings, tribalism is rampant on forums. Cliques (perceived or real, the effect is largely the same), unofficial hierarchies, mating games... it is all there to be seen. In this aspect, the forum life is much like the real life one, but with the exception that this is transitory and not grounded in a real location. The breaking down of worldwide borders (with the exception usually of the prime language - often English) gives a unique opportunity to watch human interaction without the overlays of national identity. Or at least, to see how national identities, upbringings and culture clash, and counter clash in a large scale setting. This aspect is probably my favourite.

I think what separates this forum from countless others is that there is an underlying psychological tool that people accept, with differing degrees, when they board. It's not just a forum which discusses Types, it's been created for Types to discuss on MBTI and branch off and discuss generally. However, even general dicussions can become turned into which Type responds to this or prefers that as opposed to other Types etc. Some people may know nothing of MBTI or have a basic understanding of why they are that "type" (nvm the confusion some people can create by incorrectly stating they are whichever they've chosen). I think there is a lot of misunderstandings on Type, not learning CPs or theories. People may group themselves to types of people they feel most comfortable with, genuinely that type or not or ones they feel they'd relate to most next to their own-- Hierarchies can also be created using Types as well as stereotypes (perpetuated for fun and mostly not---especially when there is no deeper understanding of MBTI.).

I'd say our observations on human interaction is also linked to MBTI, not all of course. But it's a pretty dominant theme, right?

I also think the Internet is a real location, so would be the pages/forums seemingly dispersed within in it. The internet is infinite as consciousness is infinite. We have domains. It's not the same as "real life" but what is real life? It's the reality of our (un/sub)conscious experiences but mostly conscious ones. When we choose to go outside, we perceive reality outside, however we see it individually. We choose to go on our computers, the internet and go on forums, we've now created a new reality. The location is in front of us, in a space most can't discern yet knows exists because they have access to it. Just as most can't discern what space actually means in "RL" outside either. It can be transitory because we may choose to leave it, at any time, and go back about our business. However, that can also be said of anything that we do. It's not that it isn't transitory at all, as it's always there (unless it crashes away but so can things in RL too crash away...), it's just that we ourselves are mostly transient beings who don't focus on particular modes/thoughts/jobs for long. So we leave. But it's still there, existing for others without our particular focus on it.

Now, more than ever there is more access to computers/internet and it has fast become a new medium through which people perceive as being very real to them, creating real relationships, good/bad/neutral. They create their identities, single or multiple, which may be a new extension of themselves. I think people can change quicker being OL if they find it more freeing, so it may translate back into that 'outer' reality. Breaking down of borders of all kinds, for sure! I kind of view it all as novice technopathic exchanges...or something like that heh. We can instantaneously chat, PM privately or even view the posts/profiles/anything within the forum at any time w/o restriction---no barriers or borders unless one keeps themselves Invis but even then they can be tracked through their posts. We can stalk each other too!

Edit:

The forum is like a stage, but a safe one, with an unseen audience as well as an active one

I also don't think it's entirely a safe place either as people create real identities and relationships. We can still feel threatened, still become stressed due to our activity here or by our interactions with others or just by ignoring our RL's which creep up on us...it may appear more safe because there is no physical recognition (unless one views Avatars/pics as such and they would be) but there is a mental/emotional one which still exists only more stronger than the physical (ah ha! mental/emotional trumps physical!! right?! ). But we can still receive physical sensations due to our perceived happiness or stress or anger caused by "text" which we recognise as being other people.