Um... no.

If we're going to be this serious and analytical for a moment, then let's be intellectually honest as well.

Any communications expert will tell you that there are differing degrees of effectivity between various modes of communication, all dependent on context.

We've all seen grammatical exercises where something like an omitted (or superfluous) comma completely changes the meaning of a sentence. If one element of punctuation has this power, then just imagine the impact wrought by completely differing modes.

You simply cannot say that an sms message, for example, conveys the same context as face-to-face communication. It's impossible.

At best, the internet can approximate intimate conversation-- it can never equal it. And so, yes, it's entirely logical to impugn "the internet" as a vehicle coming up short compared to personal approaches. We as humans are highly prone to errors of judgment about each other if our exchanges are limited to virtual modes. Heck, one can know a person in "real life" for decades and still be wrong about aspects of their personality-- this is just compounded the further removed you are from true physical exposure.

That said, it is still possible to get a reasonably accurate feel for someone based on their choice of post content in certain circumstances, so if there's a consistency to the message then judgment can be close enough. But judging ego by virtue of mere post content, for example, is unreasonably shallow and inaccurate. I could list many other motivations for high post count that actually contradict a high-ego assessment, but I'll stop here.

Some people may post because they have low self esteem, and getting praise in the form of "Thanks!" from lots of people on a forum might actually be the closest thing they've had to real fame. The rush they get from being appreciated and even celebrated on the forums pushes them to continue to be helpful, frequent posters, because that way, they get more appreciation and their self-esteem is boosted. But as with all other forms of external validation, this boost wears off quickly, so they return again to try to get another hit of appreciation.

Not that I know anyone in particular who might be following this pattern, I'm just saying that it's possible.

yes. they're evil. and then there's always tons of chocolate to support them.

it's ears, not feet.

This gives me an idea... What if we had forums software where you recorded yourself saying the message instead of typing it out? :P

Seriously, though... that might now be a summer project of mine... It certainly would give a whole new meaning to talk.maemo.org

From a recent study:

Is this guy one of the exceptions?

Telling lies and getting away with them are very different things.

My boys can lie to me in email and I might never know the difference. Lie to my face? I nail them every single time.

Not that I communicate with my children over email/im often, but that is so true. I can tell every time when they lie to my face.

This is the BEST thread I have seen for a LOOOOOOOOONG time! Thank you all!

@Texrat + @penguinbait: Yours kids are preteens, right? Wait till they are teenagers.................You have been warned

@qole: I think you hit the jackpot with postings/appreciation/thanks. I think that is very true and also in real life situations. About the low self-esteem, i am NOT quite sure about it, maybe it is there I do not seem to recognize it

@ga: I dont care what the title say, or even there is any meaning....I envy your 94 votes. I tried sooooo very hard and even try to vote for myself,.... oh well

bun