The Psychology of Forum Families

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gravity
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The Psychology of Forum Families

Post by gravity » Wed Aug 06, 2003 2:44 am

This topic came up briefly online, in another forums Lith hangs out in. (No Links will be forthcoming because it is a private forums)

We werediscussing the psychological factor behind so called 'Forum Families'.

Or, for those of you unfamiliar with the term (probably everyone, Lith doesn't think it's an official term.) it refers to people who develop a stronger family attachment to the people they know in a forum than they do with their real family.

It's not unheard of. Strong attachments to people you know in forums is very common, as lith is sure you all know.

But, what about people who replace the people they know in real life with the people they know online, prefering the edited persona to the real one.

It's kinda disturbing when Lith noticed that she is actually slipping into the more severe classification of 'Forum Families' the other day. Of course, the fact that everyone else BUT the forum people are gone for the summer... ^.^;

It would be interesting to see who else has suffered from this complex, or is currently suffering from it.


And, just for fun, name which forums members would be which part of the family!

Like Mav, he's DEFFINITLY the black sheep older brother! ^.^
Last edited by gravity on Wed Aug 06, 2003 2:51 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Blaze
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Post by Blaze » Wed Aug 06, 2003 2:49 am

I definitly have this condition. This is not to say you're closer than my family, but certianly closer than any friends I've ever had, and AS close as my family, maybe.

Ye Gods, so many of you would be on that list. SOOOO many.

And I just thank you for letting me get that close to you.
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Imperator Severn
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Post by Imperator Severn » Wed Aug 06, 2003 2:50 am

I'm pretty attached to a few people online, and none offline. SO I guess that puts me under this category.
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gravity
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Post by gravity » Wed Aug 06, 2003 2:54 am

And Sev, the sarcastic older brother!

Err... where does this put Blaze? ^.^;
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Blaze
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Post by Blaze » Wed Aug 06, 2003 2:56 am

I'm the dark, brooding family secret that hides locked in his room and always uses the dumb waiter for food. What else?
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Post by grandjoke » Wed Aug 06, 2003 3:12 am

i cant really speak for the forum but the people on irc are some of the best friends i've ever had. there's that anenemity of the forum and irc that makes it easier to get close to people. meh
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Post by StarlightShine » Wed Aug 06, 2003 3:13 am

I am WAY closer to you guys than my family, I more than fit into this category.

*huggles everyone*
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Infin8Cyn
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Post by Infin8Cyn » Wed Aug 06, 2003 3:14 am

See, I'm not sure I can quite fall into this category. I post like mad (postwhore I know), I check the forums 20+ times a day (seriously) and I'm always more interested in what you all have to say/comment/bash/congrat me on. But, seeing as that I've met NONE of you, and no one's comin' to visit me, and There's no one within travel distance of me, I don't feel like I've got the connection that you all seem to with each other. Like Fael, MC, etc. That whole group is actual friends, I almost feel like I don't belong because I'm not an actual friend.
Maybe I'm crazy, but yea...
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Post by StarlightShine » Wed Aug 06, 2003 3:18 am

I haven't met any one, I'm not in travelling distance and yet, amazingly I have a connection :)

And if Mav is the Black sheep older brother, than I'd like to think of myself as the little, hyper sister.
Last edited by StarlightShine on Wed Aug 06, 2003 3:21 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Blaze
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Post by Blaze » Wed Aug 06, 2003 3:21 am

You will meet someone, Nicole....... You will.
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gravity
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Post by gravity » Wed Aug 06, 2003 3:21 am

Look at lith, she hasn't met barely any of you!

And she considers you guys her REAL family! ^.^
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Imperator Severn
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Post by Imperator Severn » Wed Aug 06, 2003 3:21 am

I agree with SLS. All of my friends are online. Probably because I'm able to think about things before I post/IM them. Not so in real life.
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Post by StarlightShine » Wed Aug 06, 2003 3:26 am

I'm with Lith, you people are my real family ^c^

And I know I will meet you Blaze, :) One day
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EvilElf
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Post by EvilElf » Wed Aug 06, 2003 3:32 am

So we are just one big happy evil Family?
YAY!
/me bounces
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Post by Lune [6 Option Mod] » Wed Aug 06, 2003 3:39 am

Just consider me the family enemy.

... bizatches.
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