The paradox of my life.

[Harbal]

In real life I am a nobody, even though, in many respects, I am quite capable.
On philosophy forums I seem to be a somebody, even though I know fuck all about philosophy.
It's a funny old world.

[SpheresOfBalance]

In real life I am a nobody,
Incorrect, you are a somebody! You were referring to the mind eyes of others, and who are others to define what in fact you or anyone else should be.

even though, in many respects, I am quite capable.
Everyone is!

On philosophy forums I seem to be a somebody,
The same as everywhere else!

even though I know fuck all about philosophy.
Not true at all! You may not be familiar with particular quotes by, so called philosophers, but I'm sure you know the definition of philosophy, right? In knowing what it means, can you not delve it's depths based upon your life's experience, just like they did when they did not study, so called philosophers, because there were none that preceded them? I would argue that philosophy is in all aspects of human existence.

It's a funny old world.
Sure it is, which is based upon your lifelong observation.

[Terrapin Station]

In real life I am a nobody, even though, in many respects, I am quite capable.
On philosophy forums I seem to be a somebody, even though I know fuck all about philosophy.
It's a funny old world.

I'm kind of a somebody and I've got degrees in a couple different fields including philosophy. People don't listen to or respect me any more in forums like this than they listen to/respect anyone else, so at least for these purposes, take solace in the fact that you didn't spend a lot of time and money on something that wouldn't have made a difference.

[Harbal]

take solace in the fact that you didn't spend a lot of time and money on something that wouldn't have made a difference.

I don't mind being a nobody, at least nobody expects much of you. I just couldn't help thinking that your lot in life is quite often down to people's perceptions of you rather than actuality. I doesn't really matter.

[Hobbes' Choice]

In real life I am a nobody, even though, in many respects, I am quite capable.
On philosophy forums I seem to be a somebody, even though I know fuck all about philosophy.
It's a funny old world.

No one is nobody.
Don't fool yourself you are somebody just because you are on a Forum.
According to Dalek the world is not very funny at all.

it's all pretty weird?

[Harbal]

Don't fool yourself you are somebody just because you are on a Forum.

Let me put it another way: In real life I am almost invisible, on the forums I get attention.

According to Dalek the world is not very funny at all.

The word is fucking hilarious, that's the only thing that keeps me going.

[SpheresOfBalance]

Don't fool yourself you are somebody just because you are on a Forum.

Let me put it another way: In real life I am almost invisible, on the forums I get attention.
Do you find that you speak the same way in a forum as you do face to face?

According to Dalek the world is not very funny at all.

The word is fucking hilarious, that's the only thing that keeps me going.
A coping mechanism, as we all employ, though of various permutations thereof.

[Harbal]

Do you find that you speak the same way in a forum as you do face to face?

If I spoke face to face the same way I speak on the forum I wouldn't have much of a face left.

[SpheresOfBalance]

Do you find that you speak the same way in a forum as you do face to face?

If I spoke face to face the same way I speak on the forum I wouldn't have much of a face left.

Yes, this is definitely both a problem and a freeing experience, isn't it?

[Harbal]

freeing experience, isn't it?

It's what keeps me sane, or it could be the thing that allows me not to be, I'm not really sure.

[SpheresOfBalance]

freeing experience, isn't it?

It's what keeps me sane, or it could be the thing that allows me not to be, I'm not really sure.

At least you're considering things rationally! Which has no necessary bearing on you final conclusions. Maybe, maybe not!

[MatejValuch]

It's not a paradox at all.

Guys that spend countless hours on Forums (of any kind), or playing some MMORPG, trying to reach high status/level in both, typically struggle with self confidence, or with recognition, in their "normal" lives.

Everybody strives for recognition, and internet allowed us to find one in our "second lives". Is it good, or bad? I don't really know.
But calling yourself "nobody" and thinking about yourself in that way surely won't help you to make the right steps towards getting recognized, or loved, in your "real" life (if that matters to you...)

[Harbal]

But calling yourself "nobody" and thinking about yourself in that way surely won't help you to make the right steps towards getting recognized, or loved, in your "real" life (if that matters to you...)

It doesn't matter to me, I was just making an observation. As long as I'm somebody to the people that matter to me that's all I need.

[thedoc]

It's odd that some people can say whatever they want and get away with it, while I have learned that both in face to face and on line, I need to be careful what I say or post. There are people who get really upset, and abusive about it.

[Harbal]

face to face and on line, I need to be careful what I say or post. There are people who get really upset, and abusive about it.

Face to face, abuse is a problem. On line, it's an opportunity.