Is Chat Real?
You take chat too seriously...' Each of us has heard some version of this remark. What does that mean? The speaker means possibly that the one listening is chatting too much. More likely, it is an excuse to harm others, to lie and cheat.
I ask myself often what the purpose of creating chat was in the minds of its creator[s]. I have seen people entering a chat room briefly because they needed information, like, 'How can I hard-boil an egg?' Home alone, and confused how to do something, the one needing help turns to the many faceless people found 'inside' their computer monitors or TV screens. Most people, even ones devoted to Romance and Social chat rooms, are in the rooms for friendship. Quite a few are there for love (as mentioned and encoraged in the Prologue). All these types can be preyed upon by the ones who are in chat for more sinister reasons. It is these ones which cause disillusioned chat room users to proclaim, as I have heard, 'There is no honesty in chat!' How sad that people believe this. I know this is not so, for I chat! And I have honesty!
Lying, chatters say, 'It is only chat,' 'You take chat so seriously,' even, 'Lighten up!' as these phrases ease the consciences of those who are hurting others. It is so easy to lie when it is not face-to- face. It is so easy to hide evils when it is not face-to- face. 'Safely' hidden on a chair at home, staring at words on a screen, it is easy to fight, threaten, bully, others. Let's see the same ones do this to others he or she comes across in person. People are 'meeting', falling in love, and creating strong bonds of friendship [and foeship] in chat rooms. My mom, who has never chatted yet has been almost forced to watch chat as I monopolized the TV for Web use, summarizes it as basically a rumor mill and a place where people silently compete to see who has the foulest mouth. These actions take place in the rooms. But the fact can't be evaded that people often initiate friendships and relationships which are eventually transferred outside of cyberspace. I did. I have no regrets about meeting the gal in Chapter One face-to-face. ...Chat was a success for me in that. The ones I often term the bad guys must not ruin the goals each of has for being in chat. Entertain no lies about you anywhere, in or out of chat. Answer and move away. Anyone who causes others trouble in chat, causes a disturbance, is in violation of life.
To sum up, a willingness to reveal yourself to others matters. Because of an awareness of dangers possible to chatters, I have never approached it with a cavalier attitude or as un-reality. You'd never hear me say, "Well, folks, I have things to do in real life, so I am leaving this chat." Yes, responsibilites outside chat as well as inside chat must be tended to. Clearly, one not in the chats in a serious manner (as described in everything I write) cannot expect everyone else to be accountable.