From the Inside In

I’ve become much more internal in the past couple years. I tweet less than I used to. I don’t really post many personal thoughts on Facebook like before. My thoughts are now left in a journal, for my benefit and eyes only.

I’ve long lost the desire to broadcast most of my deep thoughts to an audience. Sure, I’ll put up an opinion now and then. Or a link to a funny video or intriguing article.

But at the end of the day, I’ve found less and less purpose and fulfillment from Internet discussions. Particularly those that take place in comment sections. Too frustrating and too much margin for misunderstanding. I cannot have a proper conversation — particularly a confrontational one — with someone when I can’t see their face or body language. When we get a dissenting opinion from someone in real life, we all learn to practice tact because the person is right there in front of us. We can’t be mean to their faces. Well, we can, but most of us are decent enough not to be.

But when you find yourself disagreeing with a faceless opinion, even one from someone you know, it makes things much more tense. Suddenly a difference of opinion becomes an attack on your own. You see, it’s not that I don’t like serious debates and discussions.

I just dislike them online.