Does it matter that there is a real person behind that screen?

To me it does. Very much so. Not so to a lot of poster's though. People can be very unkind.

Yup it matters

If the people I communicate with online were drones and/or not real, I'd have wasted many, many hours making the acquaintance of someone very precious to me...and there's no telling how furious I would be.

agree

It matters a lot, however, if it's a corporate site, I'm convinced there is never someone on the other side of the screen. Even here, I am often responding to a question when the other person is not online. Unfortunately, I don't sleep like a normal person (whomever that is), so I respond at weird times (which could be 3 a.m.)

yep

It matters to me. I conduct myself online as I do in person.

None of you are real to me.

well i am real as far i am concerned

When I turn the computer off...as I am about to do, y'all cease to exist to me. In fact, I don't know that you DO exist.

but you know that isnt what she was talking about

One can only hope for a living vessel typing.

Got a lovely reminder last Saturday when my friend and I had a massive fight.

It isn't limited to SH in my opinion. We have become such a depersonalized society.

agree

I do my best to not say anything that could hurt or offend anybody. Because you may just see a name and an avatar, but there's actually a living person behind it. You have to consider other peoples' feelings, even though this is the internet. I'm not saying I haven't replied to people with not nice comments sometimes (Which was wrong, but I'm human, I make mistakes). I don't intentionally try to hurt anybody and I apologize if I cross the line. I don't take being on this site as: 'oh they don't know who I am, so I can say whatever I want and not be accountable.' I wouldn't say anything on here to anybody that I wouldn't ever say to them in person.

A few are really great friends.

"Robot Wars: Online astroturfing is more advanced and more automated than we’d imagined." http://www.monbiot.com/2011/0...

Thank you Sister. I'm glad you appreciate when somebody shares important info with you. Have a beautiful Sunday.

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

Yes,they have feelings and I respect everyone even people who have different opinions than me.

That;s something so many folks forget.

Thank you for the reminder

you should never say what you don't want others to hear

My rule is I won't say it here if I couldn't say it in person.

It doesnt matter to me as long as that person is not trying to track me down. That would be creepy.

A real person left this answer.

Yes it does. Anyone with sense and a heart knows that.

otherwise I'm telling my opinions/problems/advice to a computer

Sure does.

I'm more conscious of what I say to strangers because in person tact isn't my strong point.

Yes, that's why I treat everyone with respect and politeness.