IRL. It stands for In Real Life.
You see it bantered around on social media websites. “We need to meet in IRL.” “I know her from IRL.”
Mitch Joel wrote today about how he doesn’t like that term. He says:
When you’re online, are you fake? Is your online avatar simply that: a representation of who you would like to be instead of who you really are?
I think that online, you are a bigger representation of who you really are. You can be smarter by easily hanging out with smarter people. You can be as funny as your mind will let you – no more of “I wish I would have said that”. Because you have time to say it. You can debate your point and not be held back by the other persons body language or facial expressions.
Its very much a real world, connecting online. It’s also an opportunity to let your light shine, and be more of who you really are. Be bigger. Be smarter. Be funnier. Because when you do that, it spills over into your everyday life. You’ve started to identify who you really are, the beauty and scope of you. Why not be that IRL?
I can honestly say that I am NOT the same person online as in person. A silly cartoon woman in a pink dress, I haven’t had a dress or skirt on for over 15 years, unless you count the nightshirts I like to wear 24/7.
Other than that, I am the same. Merry Christmas to you, another REAL person the same online and off.
I think I’m MORE of myself on line. My blog and FB allow me to express myself to others more than I am able to face to face. I would look pretty awkward showing up at all my friends’ houses saying “here’s what I’m going to do today, or here’s what I made!”; but online I can share a part of me that others can see and listen to……or not…..as they have the time and inclination.
Miss Dazey –
I think you are one of the realest people I know! Merry Christmas to you too my friend.
Deb –
I hear you! I like listening to you.
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by debworks, Miss Dazey. Miss Dazey said: Yes! RT @debworks: I like it when another blog (Mitch Joel) spurs me into action. http://bit.ly/gJAqSX who are you IRL? […]