Let me start by saying this thread is meant hypothetically only....I am not in any way trying to meet/hook up with/solicit (whatever you want to call it) anything or anyone. I am a happily married person with a wonderful family and am content and fulfilled with my life. :) I respect the fact that this site strives to maintain as much anonymity as possible for everyone's safety and comfort. I think we all can appreciate a safe, respectable place to ask questions, vent frustrations and state our opinions.
Okay, now that I've stated my disclaimer, on to the topic.
I've only been a member of AN for a few months, but I've interacted with a few individuals who are very engaging and share many of my personal views. Now, I am fully aware that there is no guarantee that, on the internet in general, the person that you are communicating with is representing themself truthfully. For the sake of this thread, however, let's give everyone the benefit of the doubt that they are being forthright.
I found myself recently thinking, "Wow, he/she just took the words right out of my mouth with that post!" or "I bet we'd get along really well if we knew one another." Let me say that I do realize that on this site, we have to be somewhat vague in order to protect our and our patient's identities and therefore have many more aspects to our lives beyond what we post.
So, do you ever wonder about what it would be like to meet in person or swap numbers with and talk to that person on the end of the keyboard? Or maybe you actually have?
I have added a poll (I tried, so I hope it works) so that commenting is not required if you wish to respond but not go into any detail (I'm unsure as to whether revealing identity to another member for the purpose of getting to know one another better for friendship purposes violates TOS). Please comment if you wish. I've been wondering if it's just me or if others have had the same thought. Hey, you can never have too many friends, right?
Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.
I have met several members at NTI. It was at NTI that I met all the Admins for the first time. It is a strange experience......not saying the Admins are strange. LOL But you do get a picture of what you think they might look like and how they talk. But now I really look forward to NTI, as it is the only time the Admin team and some of the staff gets to be together
But I would love to meet more members. NTI is in San Diego in 2015. If any of you are located in the vicinity or are planning on attending, I would love to meet you!
I met my partner on a writing website, the first time I saw her in person she was more beautiful than I could ever have imagined. I think starting our relationship long distance, she in Ohio and me in Georgia, allowed us to fall in love with each other's hearts and minds first.
I used to think this was very bizarre. How can you really know someone online?? I grew up just as the internet and home computers were becoming a common thing (didn't have a home computer with internet until I was in 7th grade) so there was a massive emphasis on the dangers of online interactions. I was also quite sheltered and had a morbid imagination so I viewed the internet as a cesspool of predators.
My boyfriend on the other hand grew up online playing multiplayer games and some of his closest friends are people that he has never met in person. It's still strange to me, but not as strange as before. With Facebook and other networking sites it's easier to verify someone as real/genuine than it used to be. People can still misrepresent themselves and create fake accounts, but it's not as easy.
In general online interactions (facebook included) I do believe people misrepresent themselves to an extent. It's not even intentional sometimes. We filter out what part of our lives that we want public or not and understandably that ends up not being an accurate picture of us as a whole.
I really take everything online with a heavy spoon of salt.
I recognized a student, and gently let him know privately he needed to change his photo. He had posted in the states forum asking about the school where I teach.
I have made references to AN in class (mostly about classroom behavior from all those "what you wish you could tell your classmates" threads); and once overheard a student say about me, "she doesn't use her name but you can tell its her" .
So as far as internet revealing, I tend not to post negatively, except in our farce threads. Fears, angers, angst.... all verbotten. I like that I can post what I consider the best of myself, and not just hope that overcomes my, shall we say, more unpleasant days?
Yes, I wonder often. But I really like being anonymous so it would take something big to reveal myself.
I am a completely different person Live vs. Online, although my values (core ethics) are the same. Online I let myself be a lot more direct than Live. Maybe even meaner sometimes, which in itself is a very interesting phenomenon to witness and experience.
I know just what you feel. I've noticed there are some usenames that occur over and over in the different threads that attract my attention. I've thought: wow- **** and I see eye-to-eye so often I have to look to see if was something I posted or someone else. I also run into comments that challange me to step up my professionality. I find some of the same posters serve as role models even for an old, cranky nurse like me. I am surprized that there aren't more personal messages, and e-mails reaching between our most active members. Perhaps, if the anonymity were lost (even privately between individuals)it would detract from the free expression of ideas we enjoy on AN.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Since I help moderate some of the forums, I have had the pleasure of meeting all of the site administrators, several of the other moderators, a few guides, and some of the registered members when we meet once yearly at the annual NTI Critical Care Convention to work the Allnurses.com booth.
As others have previously mentioned, next year's NTI convention will be in San Diego. Join us if you want to uncloak some of the mystery behind the Allnurses.com mod squad and basically have a great time.
tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN
83 Articles; 5,923 Posts
I have met several members at NTI. It was at NTI that I met all the Admins for the first time. It is a strange experience......not saying the Admins are strange. LOL But you do get a picture of what you think they might look like and how they talk. But now I really look forward to NTI, as it is the only time the Admin team and some of the staff gets to be together
But I would love to meet more members. NTI is in San Diego in 2015. If any of you are located in the vicinity or are planning on attending, I would love to meet you!