I fixed the thread.
An intro: I've been online since I was 8 and I'm a total introvert but the online world let my sarcasm/sense of humour thrive in a way that just wasn't possible in person. I'll never forget 1987 and when I dialed into a 4 line chat BBS in Toronto called FAN. Up until that time I was only able to chat with the guy who run a BBS but to type in real-time with others was nothing short of amazing. For a good 3 months I was completely addicted...I would get online right after school and hide my homework under my bed....so I could do it late at night without anyone knowing. Registration was 18+ and most were in college/university...so it forced me to have a dictionary/thesaurus on hand since A) I lied about my age and B) I didn't want to get lost in the conversation.
What is funny to me today are the select family/friends who are on facebook ALL THE TIME now, like it is nothing, were many of the same people who for many, many years would poke fun at me being online or meeting people that way.
It was always a thing to be anonymous online...hence Swamper and the green dude. TA was a bridge to social stuff/clubbing/nightlife and it took a lot of getting used to in the beginning. One rule I had though was to not get too friendly with some people ...since I was always being called upon to mediate between stupid online disputes (and some offline ones too). If you get too close you start playing favourites and then you can't be objective. "Delete this post", "Ban this person", "give me this persons email". blah blah blah.
99% of the people I'm friends with on fb I have met in person ...I don't believe in adding randoms ...especially the (fake) female ones with super hot pics who befriend friends of mine (that have 2000+ friends) and don't screen anyone they add.
The thing I never predicted but that gives me the most pleasure - are all the relationships that others (and myself) formed via TA.
So, thank you, cor whores... most of you.  
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"In a world of illusion you only see what you feel"
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