BB FANS

No argument is intended. Just interested in offering some perspective. Anonymity is not the reason why cyber discussion is not real. Theoretically, nobody is anonymous here. Our ips are recorded and it can be easily traced (if they wish).

The reason why cyber-world in unreal is simply because it's a 'virtual world', not a 'real world'. Most people choose to pop around in these 'virtual discussions' because they provide alternatives (from the real world, which generally has more restrictions). In cyber world, people tend to 'exaggerate' and 'dramatise' things or the way they normally behave in real world. Why? Simply because this is an 'alternative world'! What's the point having an alternative if you don't have the choice to be slightly or (even) extremely different?

For anyone to think that this is A REAL WORLD, she/he must also have a firm belief that British society is the most **** community in the world. Why? Go and surf around various cyber discussions over the net.. and figure out it yourself...

That's only my personal opinion. Other people may look at it differently.

I wouldn't verbally abuse someone here anymore than I would in real life.

This might not be real life as such but it does touch people's real lives. If you think you can verbally atack people and have a get out of jail card cos it's "not real" you are certainly not living in reality

do we have a part-time dermatologist, amongst us?

I don't want to argue, but I certainly can't see (and don't understand) how cyber world can touch real people lives SIGNIFICANTLY. That's the reason why internet is called "virtual world" because it is not real.

Well... at the end of day, it comes down to personal choice. If you want to allow it affects your real life, then that's fine. Nothing is wrong with it. But I just don't understand why anyone should allow it operates that way: knowing and fully realising how 'vile', unrealistic and fake this so-called cyber world is.

I'm not suggesting that this forum is totally insignificant. No. Of course this board has its own significance and certain degree of 'reality' (otherwise, we all wouldn't be bothered to come here!). What I'm trying to point out is: this is not the genuine representation (and it will never be!) of the actual reality out there. Thus, we should take everything here MORE LIGHTLY than how we should take the 'very same thing' in the real world...

As I put it, this is an alternative world. We have no choice but to expect most people would behave in "an alternative manner". Having said this, doesn't mean we CAN BEHAVE WITH TOTAL FREEDOM. That's the reason why we have moderators, who will moderate how far posters can go.

Some people are very sensitive and detrimental things which are written can upset them a lot, even if they don't know the person who has made the comments. A lot of posters who come here have problems in real life and come on here for a bit of light entertainment to take their minds off their problems, so the last thing they want is for someone to slag them off or continually keep arguing with them.

Yes, the moderators do try to edit and delete inappropriate posts as much as possible, but they are not paid and any member which causes them too much work, we shall consider banning, because it isn't fair on the moderators when they give up their free time voluntarily to help.

well said Christine

I never thought about it like that before. It was ages before I realised Cameron on BBFANS was the same person on BB itself. I'd hate it if everyone on here knew my full name and what I look like etc etc and I didn't know them, but I suppose after being on BB itself this is nothing like as intrusive!

I think this cyber-environment actually really does have a significant impact on peoples lives (or at least the potential to). I can communicate with someone on here as easily as texting a friend or calling them on the phone and we don't have to be pysically in the same room to offer sympathy, advice, argue or whatever with each other.

I also don't think that I act any differently on here than I do in real life - honest!

Most posters here are TOTALLY harmless unless they unnecessarily get provoked. Thus, the best way to avoid being upset (esp. those who are naturally born sensitive and emotionally vulnerable) is to keep the discussion within context. Make sure to fully channel the discussions on the housemates and not against fellow posters.

But as Molly said some people here are HM's or know them or feel they are friends.(even if vicariously)

I feel I know Cameron more simply because he has posted here and I would be more protective of him now because of that than when he left the house.In that sense he is real.And I would apply that to all housemates-they are real people and I wouldn't say anything to them or about them that I would n't (if it ever came to it)say directly to their faces over a pint.

I respect your view on this matter. And good if you can realistically and ideally keep it that way. You must be a very strong person!

But, I'm 100% convinced that majority of the internet forumists don't see it that way. Most of the remarks/statements they wrote here are not something they really could possibly (routinely) do in real lives. I've been here long enough to be confident in making this conclusion.

However... if these posters really see things the way you see it (to regard the circumantances here as the actual representation in the real world): then I would be extremely surprised! All those nasty name-calling and bitchiness are as real as they are????? I mean, do these posters really capable of saying all those nasty things right in the face of Makosi, Kemal, Derek, Maxwell, etc????

As for me, I'm not ashamed to admit that I do dramatise and exaggerate to certain extent, the way I approach life while I'm on the cyber world. WHY? Because I regard cyber-world as an alternative to live up some different personalities.... and get away for a while from my real world (which at times can be interesting, depressing, boring, etc).

Certainly my way of posting.One reason I post here and not some other places.It remains reasonably civilised.

Slightly different maybe when the show is on-in a sense a stronger viewpoint is credible as the show is the show and serious issues often emerge-which is why the show is good.There may also be a backwash after the show of course.

Hare Krishna.

I think one major difference is that the cyber world can touch INDIVIDUAL lives and have a major impact on some of them, in a different and more personal way than major public media (telly, papers) can and do. Because they're more general (papers and telly aren't often directed at people individually) it would appear to be significant to more people, although the significance is reduced in comparison to forum chat, where the chat is generally directed at one another.

it always surprises me just how easy it is to degenerate into abusive posting on certain other forums I have seen. There always seems to be an argument of some kind and it invariably gets nasty. Is it just me being cynical or do some people come to forums for the sole reason of upsetting others? Thats something I like about BBFANS bcz people do seem genuinely friendly for the most part
thought for the day - be nice!

Sensible points.

But I still find it VERY IRONIC how these "some people" would ever allow cyber world to touch their lives; whereas at the same time we all are repeatedly being reminded NOT TO BE DUPED by CYBER WORLD. My sister (a very sensible mum I would say) will keep reminding her two internet-addict sons NEVER to take anything SERIOUS/REAL on internet: especially in the chatting rooms/discussions. I can't imagine what our young generations would turn into: if they really allow internet "touch their lives" as real as it could get.

More sad than ironic, I'd say. Fortunately, most of 'us' are able to take cyberland for what it is, but a lot of people are dependent on it and take it very much as 'their life'. Pretty incredible, I know, but it does happen.