So apparently y'all are not real.

[draggar]

My wife irked me a little last night.

She had lunch with a friend of hers who was visiting the area like he does a couple times a year. She mentioned to him that she's worried because I never "go out" with friends and doesn't think it's healthy.

(A little background - it has never been easy for me to make "friends". Work acquaintances, fine, but not anyone I would hang out with since I lived in NH, which I've been away from there for 13 years now).

She asked him about it and he told her to not discount my online friends (forums, facebook, etc.). When she told me about it she made the comment "even though they're not real". I asked her to explain that and she said that since the people I talk to over the internet aren't real people.

Um, wha? You mean people on the forums I frequent and the people I talk to on Facebook aren't real? Then there has got to be some DAMN good scripts out there to simulate people!!

[telecom_goddess]

*pats self down*

Hmmm I could have sworn I was real....now you make me doubt myself

I want to be a living sentient being!

[Kanalah]

I get that same sentiment from my mom's side of the family. She's even chatted online with some of my friends and met some of them and still sticks with her idea.

[Elspeth]

I have met my best friends on World of Warcraft. My parents get this concept, my in-laws not so much. I wish there was a way to make people see that you can meet people anywhere with the internet. If I hadn't started reading the boards I wouldn't know so many wonderful people. I would love to take a vacation and met as many of you as I could. I feel more comfortable here then I do with "real" people


I knew I was the figment of someone's imagination, just didn't know you would be in Florida. Oh creator, could i have a vacation now?

[Cookie]

Hehehe! Yeah, I've gotten this, too. It's irritating. But, if I'm not real, then hell! Imma do what I want! All the chocolate I can eat and no more pants! WOOOOOOO!!!

[teh_blumchenkinder]

Oh I'm sure papers have been written on this, but I'm too lazy to arse myself to the JSTOR or other megahubs of CollegeCrap. LearningLitter?
I like that one.
:3 This is why there are meetups. At least the only person who gives me crap about forum boards is the Scientist Friend (as in has a degree in Geology!). He only says that it isn't legit research to ask random people, instead of finding four independent sources that agree on something. (luv ya N)
EDIT: wonder if her perception would change were it to be via vidchat? Facebook, where she can see pics? That's a bit... off? Eh. Ask her!/experiment

[Raveni]

I am a figment of whose imagination?

Online friends are as real as any other friend that you never see in person anymore. If you are friends with someone, and they move away, are they still your friend?

(For some people, the anwser is "no", so...)

[CaroPhoenix]

I knew I was a legend in my own mind, but to be one in someone else's mind is even more awesome!

My mom used to give me grief about that, but then I met Mr. Rum on the internet, so now she knows people are real.

Maybe your wife needs to meet some internet friends?

[BookstoreEscapee]

Well I get texts from Lupo and Kara almost every day so they must be out there somewhere...

[Food Lady]

If internet friends aren't real, why am I grieving? My friends don't understand how close I could've been to someone I never met in person. It's the whole myth--because of a sick few--that people always lie on the internet. But I'm pretty sure there was a real person on the other end of all my phonecalls to my dear friend. Your wife is just accepting an outdated viewpoint. It's understandable.

[Kogarashi]

You mean the Blue Fairy lied to me and I've been doing all this hard work for nothing?

Maybe we need to send draggar's wife a bunch of cards to prove we're real.

[Elspeth]

Maybe we need to send draggar's wife a bunch of cards to prove we're real.

Well Christmas is coming. I love the card exchange. Really need to plan my christmas cards now, wonder if I can use the sounders some how. *goes off to pronder*

[monolayth]

I have some leftover wedding invites I could mail her if she does not believe we are real.

[sms001]

lol. Know EXACTLY how you feel draggar. I'm a little isolated here, but am a 'normal' outgoing, gregarious type. I've been online since the internet came to the masses, and know people from games, forums, etc. My wife calls you my "invisible friends." I don't disallusion her by pointing out that I've picked the best and brightest to associate with, rather than relying on random encounters IRL, and she lets me prattle on about CS, Felon, Lord Fontleroy, etc. She does appreciate the fact that a LOT of my support for her retail encounters comes from here though.

[Mishi]

Yeah, I got the same nonsense when I was dating Rugz long distance. Everyone at school thought I was gay, and had made up an imaginary boyfriend to hide it! They sure were shocked when he moved over and proved he was real. The only complaints I've received about making online friends is from Rugz, because they aren't close enough to hang out IRL and he feels bad about meeting up with some of the guys from his online ARMA clan to go play Combat Sims with.