Does being considered 'popular' on the internet....

......actually make you feel good about yourself?

I've been reading back over many posts and threads, and I see some people who seem to thrive on being 'cool' or 'popular'. I admit, it's nice to have praise given to you to a certain extent, but I mean, in all seriousness, do people actually think that being, and I quote, 'popular' on an internet message board means anything??

The more that I think about it, the more I begin to see these people as being kind of sad, and slightly pathetic. The fact is, if you have to achieve popularity on the internet, and you thrive on it, how can you even return to REAL life with any enthusiasm?

Maybe it's because I'm getting older and all of this is really starting to be put into perspective for me, but, honestly, is it NOT just a little pathetic for these people to think being 'popular' really matters on a message board? 😕

I can't reply. I'm too cool. 😬

It depends who you are popular with I suppose.

Originally posted by The Pict
It depends who you are popular with I suppose.

But even still, honestly , what difference does it make? You can't translate that into real life.

Originally posted by ~Da Moose~
But even still, honestly , what difference does it make? You can't translate that into real life.

But I mean if you are popular with people you might meet them, or speak with them over MSN. Being popular with people on here could build friendships, but sure for the majority of posters, though, it doesn't really matter.

I try my best to be popular, but I think I might rub people wrong or something.

Too be honest, nah. Popularity with people you've never even met might be a good way to boost your confidence, (I mean, it boosts mine) but seriously, if you can only get popular with teenagers from another continent, school/work/pub might help.

Being popular in the forum would be cool, but I value getting along with my friends in real life a better goal.

Originally posted by The Pict
But I mean if you are popular with people you might meet them, or speak with them over MSN. Being popular with people on here could build friendships, but sure for the majority of posters, though, it doesn't really matter.

In all liklihood though, how many will meet? 1%? 2%? And regardless, if you base your self worth, as many seem to do, on their internet personna and popularity, then how can they possibly live up to that in the real world? How many of us are who we are here, and out 'there'? Not many I suspect.
I DO understand your point though, and maybe for some, it helps with self esteem, but, in my opinion, a lot of people are hiding behind their screens because they can't cope in real life.

Originally posted by lord xyz
Too be honest, nah. Popularity with people you've never even met might be a good way to boost your confidence, (I mean, it boosts mine) but seriously, if you can only get popular with teenagers from another continent, school/work/pub might help.

Isn't that a false boost though?

Originally posted by ~Da Moose~

I DO understand your point though, and maybe for some, it helps with self esteem, but, in my opinion, a lot of people are hiding behind their screens because they can't cope in real life.

Maybe but thats assuming people use the Internet to reinvent themselves into someone popular using the Internet. I assume that most people here use these forums as entertainment.
However i do agree that if someone is deemed popular that it would help their self esteem, but I think it would be more to do with having friends here rather than random people saying "you are so cool"

Originally posted by ~Da Moose~
Isn't that a false boost though?

Being "cool" on the internet just isn't cool for me. However there are alot of folks that make this their "reality." I'm fine with that as long as they don't waste their life doing it.

I can be a good way to vent and certainly allow for alot of different views to be seen from alot of different perspecitves world wide (which I do think is pretty cool.)

This sure does beat my commodore 64 and 2400baud modem and bbs! Omg I just dated myself!

Originally posted by The Pict
Maybe but thats assuming people use the Internet to reinvent themselves into someone popular using the Internet. I assume that most people here use these forums as entertainment.
However i do agree that if someone is deemed popular that it would help their self esteem, but I think it would be more to do with having friends here rather than random people saying "you are so cool"

I think a lot of people DO reinvent themselves on the net though. Even slightly.

But, having to rely on someone from Austrailia, or Spain to think you are cool, or popular...is really sad.

Originally posted by lord xyz
Not really, being popular means you're not completely socially retarded.

Not necessarily; people can be socially retarded yet popular because they're ass-kissers or trendwhores.

Originally posted by Soleran
Being "cool" on the internet just isn't cool for me. However there are alot of folks that make this their "reality." I'm fine with that as long as they don't waste their life doing it.

I can be a good way to vent and certainly allow for alot of different views to be seen from alot of different perspecitves world wide (which I do think is pretty cool.)

This sure does beat my commodore 64 and 2400baud modem and bbs! Omg I just dated myself!

But I see a lot of them doing that. Wasting their lives, on here, ALL the time, hitting their 'peak' of popularity. It's scary, actually, that someone would THINK that way.

HAHAHAHA...I too had a Commodore 64....God....soooooooooo long ago.

Originally posted by lord xyz
Not really, being popular means you're not completely socially retarded.

But come on.....on a MESSAGE BOARD? It's not even a viable social setting in my opinion, because, once again, it's not a very intimate setting.

It’s nice to know that people like you and thing your are funny, cool or what ever but I would rather have people like me or respect me for my talent or skill that I use in everyday life. As for me I would rather people respect me for my artistic sill then think I’m cool or funny.

Originally posted by ThePittman
It’s nice to know that people like you and thing your are funny, cool or what ever but I would rather have people like me or respect me for my talent or skill that I use in everyday life. As for me I would rather people respect me for my artistic sill then think I’m cool or funny.

I heard the pizzas you used to make were considered the most artistic of all the area Huts.

Originally posted by Lana
Not necessarily; people can be socially retarded yet popular because they're ass-kissers or trendwhores.

Originally posted by ~Da Moose~
But come on.....on a MESSAGE BOARD? It's not even a viable social setting in my opinion, because, once again, it's not a very intimate setting.

Originally posted by ~Da Moose~
I think a lot of people DO reinvent themselves on the net though. Even slightly.

But, having to rely on someone from Austrailia, or Spain to think you are cool, or popular...is really sad.