Monday, February 22, 2010

Internet Emotions or Lack Thereof

What I'm about to write may sound hypocritical. It makes me sad that we, as people, express our ourselves and our emotions primarily through the internet and text messaging.

Now I know what you're thinking, "You're a blogger!" Yes, I am. And I love blogging! But I also relish in expressing myself in "real life."

I love to express myself, verbally. I could talk about how I feel constantly. I could talk about how you feel all the time. I love talking about feelings. What can I say? I'm a feeler.



But, honestly, I would rather talk about feelings in person, not on the internet or via text message. Unfortunately, this is where the world is at emotionally. As individuals, many people are timid to express themselves in person and hide behind technology to express "real" emotions.

My boyfriend is the complete opposite of me. He does not express himself "in person." He feels more comfortable expressing himself through writing, whether it's in a letter, an email or a text message. I, on the other hand, would rather sit down for a cup of coffee and talk.

But it's not just Wilhelm, I see many people engaged in technological emotional expression. And I have a thought about this:

Let's make a change. Let's express ourselves face to face. See how much realer you feel. You don't have to send an emotionally charged email to get it out. You can meet a friend for lunch and talk it over!

Let's be real.

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12 comments:

  1. I will totally express my feelings to your face when I come to the city in March. Deal? Deal!

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  2. I'm excited to hear your expression of feelings! YAY! Deal! Now the real question is, do you drink coffee? Or should we select an alternate beverage choice?

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  3. I express myself better in writing than in person. I don't know why.

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  4. There's certainly an art to expressing oneself in writing. I understand. People have different means of expression. It used to be that I expressed myself better in writing than in person. I used to be far more internal. But now I LOVE to talk about how I feel.

    But I still love writing about how I feel!

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  5. I hear this. I blog and I write about deep things. But, the reality is that there are topics that I am much better talking about in person, so much so that I avoid them (for the most part) online. Some of the issues that are closest to my heart will never make it into my blog because I would rather talk about them in person and feel they need dialogue.

    However, as much as I would rather express myself in person, sometimes it is easier to find the words with my fingers than with my tongue.

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  6. Sometimes I write more clearly than I talk and sometimes words clear up my writing. But about feelings I am also in agreement with you, I like to talk about them face to face! Or you know at least you can always call!! I hope your day got better.

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  7. I think that there are a lot of people who just can't express themselves as well in person as they can in writing. I think that for those folks the internet and Social media is probably helpful in facilitating the expression of emotion. I think I probably do better in person but it sure is nice to have an outlet when there isn't anyone there to listen!

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  8. Ms. Bantering Blonde- That makes complete sense! Some people are just better at expressing themselves through writing. This is probably why the Social Media field is so popular. And you're right, blogging is an outlet. It's journal-esque. You can vent on it.

    Cordy- My day got better when I heard from you! YAY! And when I got Amanda's offer to send me cookies.

    Sarah-I agree! Some things are just better to talk about in person. The really deep heartfelt things are better left for a face-to-face discussion.

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  9. I agree I'm still a big phone person.sometimes I'm sick of writing and I just want to talk. Hopefully, the art of sharing to a live person will return. I hope so

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  10. Yes! I am a BIG phone person. I love the phone. could be on the phone for hours. I think with the advent of Facebook things have gotten so technologically based. Let's talk!

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  11. Nuance and e-mail can never meet.

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What do you think? Feel free to agree or disagree, but hateful comments will be deleted.