Honest to Blog?
Why is it so easy to be so honest with strangers?
Is it just me? A flaw in my makeup that gives everyone the benefit of the doubt and ALL of my trust before they have a chance to prove they’re untrustworthy?
I really, honestly, do NOT have that much faith in humans.In ultimate fact, I think we’re all dishonest and shady and wouldn’t trust my neighbor to watch my dog; but for some reason, when we’re behind locked doors and firewalls and don’t have to hear each others’ voices, everyone is on the same page.
Projectile Honesty.
I think I’m just able to put myself out there in a way that makes people feel like they are trusted, and because of my willingness to share, they share too.
It’s also incredibly easy to lie online. We give each other a lot of trust, instantly, by just making that casual connection. I trust that you will not lie to me, and you trust that I will not lie to you. What do we have to lose, at this point? If we’re already so trusting in each other that we believe everything the other says, why not be devastatingly honest and open as well?
It’s hard to put on the same masks that you otherwise would in the real world. Vocal inflection, non-verbal signs like a roll of the eyes or raise of the eyebrow are what make us individuals, so it’s easy to feel the comfort of being just one of the herd.
It’s great comfort knowing that if things get too hot and heavy, you can just escape the conversation with no explanation. One click, and you have no regrets. No further contact required.
Words on a page are innocuous. Non-threatening. Pretty much, no matter what they say, they’re going to look the same. The threatening words that would sound polar opposite to the sweet ones that you love to hear look exactly the same in sans-serif.
I don’t have to look into your eyes and tell you the horrible truth.
I know I couldn’t say to your face what I could type to your window.
I’d lie.
