metalfox
Hardcore
The furry. =3
Posts: 198
|
Post by metalfox on Apr 4, 2006 9:40:37 GMT -5
According to my parents, the internet is just full of 45-year-old perverts, murderers, and hackers all looking to cause as much trouble as they possibly can. I have been browsing forums for over a year now and, sure I've met the occational weird person, but overall I have not seen any of that type of thing.
But now, my parents have become aware of what I do on the computer (Nothing bad, just pretty much talk to people on AIM. I have made a few of 'em pen pals, and I've talked to some, using Skype and such) and they are mad. Very mad. Mad enough to ban me from anything electronic.
I ask you, do you honestly think the internet's actually as bad as everyone makes it out to be? There are always those shows about 'sexual predetors', all those super-depressing news stories about some kids being stalked through the internet because they were some retard, telling everyone where they lived. Because of this, my parents think I am one of those retards, giving out my information to random people.
I ask you, where are those MSN or CNN specials, where it shows those people who met in World Of Warcraft, met each other in real life, and got married? Hmm?! It's a true story, btw. I just wonder why things l ike that don't get big publicity. But no, thanks to our super-depressing news system, I guess it's impossible to have any 'happy' stories.
But, I'd like to see what you guys think about this. Do you think the internet's as bad a place as everyone makes it seem? Do you think I'm at fault for making some good friends over the internet?
|
|
Kenoku
Definitely has no life
Anime power-slapping, Ahoy!
Posts: 1,607
|
Post by Kenoku on Apr 4, 2006 15:31:08 GMT -5
I'd be very much a hypocrite if I said your at fault! So obviously no! Because of the internet..well I met you all from TN. And geez... the expression I am looking for cant be described. Parents are just weird.
|
|
|
Post by Phayun-C on Apr 4, 2006 20:32:06 GMT -5
The internet is an incredibly dangerous place for the sole reason that everyone feels pretty comfortable there. I mean, it's hard to be on-edge when you're sitting in your home. Look at it this way.
Lets say Kenoku wanted to kill me for some reason. He knows what town I live in. He knows my full name. He has absolutely nothing stopping him, besides a supposed lack of a driver's liscense, to keep him from hacking me up.
Thankfully, most of the people you'll meet out there are at least alright. Some of em are real nice folks. Some of them just pretend to be. The truth is, the internet truly is quite a dangerous place, we're just used to it. It's one of those whole "Yeah, but something like that would never happen to me" sorta deals.
Heck, if our videos ever get any sort of significant play, I've already planned to nuke the forums and start over, not letting anyone make any references to where we live (besides TN), or stating our names. A little paranoia isn't a terrible thing to have online.
|
|
metalfox
Hardcore
The furry. =3
Posts: 198
|
Post by metalfox on Apr 5, 2006 9:25:49 GMT -5
Yeah, sure, I can understand that. But this is way more that 'a bit of paranoia'. This is all out No-more-computer-for-you-ever-because-we-can't-trust-you-to-be-in-our-house-anymore deal. They think that every single one of my fricken friends is some psyco wanting to kill my whole family. They claim that they don't ever feel safe anymore because of this, when my dad was the one who went up and called one of them and threatened him. I'm sorry, but What the hell?! When does this make sence??
|
|
Kenoku
Definitely has no life
Anime power-slapping, Ahoy!
Posts: 1,607
|
Post by Kenoku on Apr 5, 2006 20:45:55 GMT -5
Darn! How did you figure me out Alcaeus!? Haha......that cracks me up thinking about me trying to kill someone. It aint in my blood. I could never do it. Why take another person's life...? So pointless. Although......some of what you say is true! I kinda wanna do come down to Chattanooga for a couple days. Cause by the time I can come, Ill know you guys even better. Although, I get a semi-clear pictures about how you guys would be, but im keeping an open-mind cause I might be wrong. Thats sucks Fox. My parents on the other hand encourage me to have pen pals. They trust my judgement and wisdom. I guess im lucky, and I thank god for that one. Many people dont have the bond that I share with my mom and dad and I hope it never breaks. Just getcha head in the game! Have you even talked to them about it? Or are they the kind of parents that dont let you get a word in edgewise?
|
|
|
Post by Phayun-C on Apr 6, 2006 7:02:52 GMT -5
Yeah, I've got a coupla internet buddies that I trust to be who they say they are. Cuz if they weren't, they woulda screwed the act up long ago!
Kenoku and Xbox, mainly. And most of my old {MaJoR} buds, like Sargon and Floater.
|
|
thetalkinggrunt
Definitely has no life
The Unyielding Hierophant
Posts: 1,108
|
Post by thetalkinggrunt on Apr 6, 2006 16:12:36 GMT -5
Thankfully I know and trust most of you, and my parents, although wary, trust me when I say you guys are who you say you are. And don't nuke the forums Phayun, only ban n00 people from joining us, and start a whole new forum for the not-so-cool n00bz.
|
|
metalfox
Hardcore
The furry. =3
Posts: 198
|
Post by metalfox on Apr 7, 2006 11:39:35 GMT -5
Yay! I got to do something FUN this weekend!
The family had just gotten done watching some stupid show like American Idol or somethin', and had gone off to do other stuff, 'cept for my dad who was at the computer. I was sitting next to the table, drawing. The news had come on, and it was sayin' a bunch of random stuff, all those depressing stories.
And then one came up about this 45 year old stalker guy on the internet.
My dad says, "Hmm, imagine that." I listened to the story, just to see what had happened, and it turns out IT WAS THE TEENAGERS FAULT! These two teenagers had told this guy to meet them somewhere, and when they went there and found him standing there, THEY CALLED THE COPS. I'm sorry, but WHAT THE HELL?!
I say aloud, "It was the teenagers stupid fault." My dad looks at me and says, "Maybe they thought they really knew him." (He's referring to my online friends)
I nearly exploded. All my dad does now, is berate me, telling me how I've f-ed up my life (Except, y'know, actually saying the word), how I've put my trust in these people I don't know, even though I freakin' write to them, I've talked to them on the fricken' phone, and I've been talking to most of them for over a YEAR. I'm sorry... but I am NOT at fault here. It's just a case of some extremely psyco parents, thinking that every person in the world wants to kill me, when they can't seem to grasp the fact that there are people like me out there, and that I've actually found a few!
I also asked my dad about having a birthday party. 'Course not. How about just meetin' some friends? 'Course not. (His exact words: "You're not realy for that yet.") I'm not going to be allowed to do anything for my birthday.
Oh, except go to a FREAKIN' PSYCIATRIST! My parents are so out of their God-**** minds, they're sending me to a F-ING Psyciatrist!
Now, I apologize if I seem a bit mad, but I have reason to be. You tell me if any of this S--- is fair. I don't deserve any of this! "Oh, Justin's been talking to people who we think are some werdo stalkers so, instead of actually trying to talk to these people, find out why he trusts them so much, or just talk to Justin about it, let's take everything away from Justin, his freinds, his life, and control everything he does, and that should fix the problem, right?"
... I'm sorry, but no. Any sane person can see that.
This... is a piece of what happened to me. I'm surprised I have any shred of my sanity left after having to deal with these psycos... Only thing I got left are my friends... My parents are trying to take them away, too.... >.>
Well.... that's it for now.... sorry for goin' off on a rant there... >.>
|
|
|
Post by fullphaser on Apr 10, 2006 0:04:51 GMT -5
Hi all, with no fear at Mind, this is Shawn Miller, (and I do this for you Metal ) Technical Administrator Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences, Assistant to the Superintendent of Hamilton County Tennessee in the Area of Web design and Student Council, and Officer with the Technological Student Association. If you doubt these titles, they are all referable on .gov and .edu sites to assure that these titles are valid. If you doubt who I am you can check this IP address against those reordered by Tennessee's Comcast Division, as well as my Whois Signature. If you still doubt who I am, My Whois recognition is under www.avant-is.com/So just to let your parents know, if they want someone your age who takes the position of someone who gets around the Internet and has any experiences with old perverts, let me be the one. First off I know for a fact I know that you are a teenager, and I know that as a teenager, at your age the chances of being "seduced" by someone of a much greater age then yourself tend to be lessened a great deal. Can people fake their identity on the Internet? yes, they can that is a pure and simple fact. So what we must come to is one of two things, either A. how do we determine their true identity, and what effect will that have on the outcome of given on line situation. Or For a second approach, how can we take measures to ensure that in fact their true identity is of any true consequence. In respect to the first, it becomes and an almost impossible en devour, as attaining the IP address of set individual is in all truth the only way to give an increment location. And at that the IP Address of set computer represents only the portal onto the Internet. If set IP Address and attendant user is recorded on a .gov or .edu site, than it can in fact be confirmed that they are who they say they are, or that the chance they have lied is severely diminished. But more to the point, what does the attaining of their true name, age, and other various factors truly determine about a person. Nothing, in fact it only gives us government recorded data, which unless the presence of a criminal record exist gives us little en site into the actual personality and habits of set creature or being on the Internet. So in truth what we then must do is defer to the idea of how to approach something on whose identity you can not confirm. If the truth of the Internet can in any situation be held as truthful or liable information. Well here is the statistic. It is in fact more likely for a small child, or young teenager to lie about their age in a given position on the Internet, than a grown man, simply because of the restrictions that are enforced by the COPPA. So what we come to is the idea that we must decipher their personality or establish a set personality, again we run into another wall, how can we confirm that this isn't a front? the answer falls to the ideas of restricting one self. To establish moral guidelines and parameters. That if the differentiation between real life and the Internet warrants distrust. The Internet is yet another form of media. and a way to expand our cultural understanding of each other. That in fact the chances we take on line represent no more of a threat than any other media available to a child. With Cell phones now in high use, and Real life slowly being consumed by the idea of mortality through modern medicine. So in fact the Internet is just like real life, and just like real life we must give ourselves bounds on what we will and will not do. I think this most recent surge against children's abuse on the Internet comes from children who are not "Internet savoy" being caught up in the realm of things taken advantage of by the use of web cams. What we see here is a growing trend by those who have not treaded the Internet setting a president for the rest of all those who tread it. When then needs of the whole are hampered by the needs of the individuals. By knowing what the Internet represents we already gather the knowledge to understand what we are seeing my and most likely is not a true reflection of self. So thus we establish that in its nature we must take all things on the Internet as unreal, or of little probability. To establish friends on the Internet represents no more harm than an imaginary friend as a small child. The difference being that it allows for the growth of skills in the fields of socialization. Unlike an imaginary friend, at this older age the Internet represents a real human being (in most cases) regardless of age or occupation, which offers a different set of emotions. By taking advantage of this form of socialization, without being drawn in by the factors of reality to an illusion which must be proved not to exist, we must draw the conclusion that we can differentiate not the fake from the real, but the secure from the insecure, Realize that the Internet is not safe if you tread it in a manner in which you present yourself as a target. Through these tactics, I can without fear establish myself on any website as who I am, for what I am without fear of perversion or fools who think they can manipulate me. By knowing the operations of your real life friends you can furthermore establish a larger safety. Knowing the people here in real life sets it as a safe community. Knowing that the people behind that keyboard are who they say they are because you have encountered them in real life provides, what we shall call an Internet shelter. If you have several of these, then you can fall back, and the group decision can almost always become better than that of the whole. take these words to heart and realize that the Internet is not some playground to be trounced across with reckless disregard, but on the same note it is not some abysmal plain which represents dis truth. It is what it is, a world all its own, with its own rules, standards, and central thoughts I think it is because of recent events such as the case in which a child revealed he was preforming sexual acts on his web cams in exchange for emotional support. as well as cases such as myspace.com have given the impression that those who have been on the Internet for a great deal of time are as susceptible as those who due to the "myspace revolution" have come to the Internet. the ability to realize that the Internet can offer no emotional support, weather it seems heartfelt or simply practical, it represents nothing more than information, and can represent no true emotional touch. The Internet is what you make of it, and by realizing these factors, you too can make your experience on the Internet can be much safer. Shawn Miller Avant Information Services www.avant-is.comadmin@avant-is.com +1.423.580.8761 1414 Choate Rd. Chattanooga TN 37412 April 10, 2006
|
|
metalfox
Hardcore
The furry. =3
Posts: 198
|
Post by metalfox on Apr 10, 2006 8:37:08 GMT -5
I understand what you say, and while it is all (or very close to) true, I have taken all this into consideration. I do not 'tread lightly'. I make sure I can really trust people before I give out any sort of personal information at all. I understand everything about the internet, and realize what a bad place it can be. However, I also realize how good of a place it can be. I'm not sayin' I should spend my entire life on the computer, but having friends on it definatly isn't a bad thing. Hell, it's one of the best things that's ever happened to me. I dunno if you noticed, but there aren't that many Sonic fanatics 'round here. I've only met one person in real life that has ever liked Sonic as much as me, and I haven't seen him since I left CSAS last year. The internet has allowed me to continue talking to him and to many, many other people that share the same interests as I. My case, is just two very paranoid parents, refusing to see things from their son's point of view. That's all there is to it.
|
|
|
Post by fullphaser on Apr 10, 2006 9:44:54 GMT -5
I'm not saying you don't I know for a fact that you are far more competent than that, not only just from knowing you on the web, but also from the fact that for 2 years I saw you every day, and I consider you a friend, what your parents done is by far more than unfortanate, I can't really say what I would do, but to remind them, that people like us are far more competent in internet affairs then those who have braught public attention to the "evil" it represents.
|
|
thetalkinggrunt
Definitely has no life
The Unyielding Hierophant
Posts: 1,108
|
Post by thetalkinggrunt on Apr 10, 2006 19:35:53 GMT -5
Shawn, I applaud you for your brilliant piece of writing above, and I have to ask you, have you ever considered psychology? I agree with what you said up there, and lets face it, S*** Happens. The Internet is what you make of it, and everyone's paradigm is different, meaning that it can be the devil incarnate or the greatest tool ever-you decide. Justin, your parents view it from the viewpoint made famous by the Communists: Censorship, pure and simple. I personally see it as carefully walking on a tightrope, the slightest misstep causing that ever-present element of danger to come into play. But then, whats life without a little danger now and again?
|
|
|
Post by Phayun-C on Apr 10, 2006 20:43:21 GMT -5
You're right, Grunt. Censorship is pure fecal excrement. Dang motherI'm a loser!ers should all die. no gramma=know gramma.
And, fox, I hate to put a damper on things here for ya, and this is gonna come across as a little bit harsh, but.. Don't take yourself, or your situation, too seriously. I mean, I know it seems bad, but theres a whole friggen crapload of people out there with problems none of us can even imagine. 1.1 billion men, women, and children live on less than a dollar a day. We can cope with a little family trouble.
I know it sucks to not be able to talk to all your internet buddies, but try to view that from an outside perspective. It's not really that bad, and it probably won't last for long at any rate, as long as you can regain your parents trust (aka by not sneaking onto the computer when they're not looking).
I also know it ain't fun to admit that your problems aren't that bad. I sure as heck hate doing so. But you can usually get through things a lot faster if you try not to take yourself too seriously. In my experience, at any rate.
|
|
metalfox
Hardcore
The furry. =3
Posts: 198
|
Post by metalfox on Apr 12, 2006 6:09:18 GMT -5
Well, sure, you think that based off what I've told you so far. It's much worse, trust me.
Maybe you don't know how important my friendships are to me, online or off. It was pretty fricken' hard just leavin' CSAS, 'cause I knew I wasn't going to see many of you again. Did you know that CSAS was the first school in my entire life I stayed in for more than a year? It was the first school I was able to make friends, and keep them. The internet was really the only way to talk to any of you, and that's what I did.
As for online goes, I say again. I've met only one other true Sonic fan in my entire life. One. Makes me feel a bit isolated, really. The internet, however, providedmtons of people who shared interests with me. In my opinion, the internet is truely a great thing, for that reason.
Next thing. I've grown very close to some online friends, especially one. This is the one my parents bring up every time we talk. I've made some pretty big desisions in my life, and they include him. So, my parents, of course, hated him.
You can say 'you're not as bad off as some people' all you want. Quite frankly, I'm still mad. I really could care less, I've heard that saying way too much. Just because some people have it bad off, doesn't make my life heaven. But there's just no way I can't say this isn't bad. It's pretty dance the tango! bad. My parents took away the things that were most important to me, and that's my friends. That's pretty bad.
|
|
|
Post by fullphaser on Apr 12, 2006 20:00:12 GMT -5
Metal Fox brings up a good point, and if you like, Let your parents know that I am free to talk to either of them at any time. I am sure that your dad has more sensibility than that. And if they are using it as a form of punishment than whatever, but if they are using it out of fear for you than words I do have. and thoughts on the matter I can speak of.
I know as a an amatuer webdesigner that serperating me from the internet would be like cutting off an arm or a leg, and I could not simply do it at the drop of a hat. having lost CSAS and then the internert would drive me insane, so... we can critisize all we would like, but in truth Justin is the only one in this situation, and leaves us with a big differnce. We have lost nothing and our prespective on the matter remains intact.
|
|