Major Tom...
You're hitting the right spots...
As I ponder my response to the "critical mass thread"... this one is a little easier...
In resolving my theory of "why we do what we do", my conclusion is that it boils down to the
ego
: the opinion that you have about yourself
psychology : a part of the mind that senses and adapts to the real world
... and so I believe that what we say and do, is a pure reflection of the way we want to adapt to those around us. We only post because we want to share, and most prefer to be seen in a helpful and friendly way. The only reason
not to share is fear, and more often than not, a fear of a blow to the ego, rather than a fear of physical or financial harm.
While I would not share direct numbers... in dollars, passwords, or specifics that could harm my family or friends, offering up experiences and thoughts is part of the social interaction that brings me to the forum, and the reason for reading the experiences of others.
Particularly in the later years, when social activities outside the home become more limited, I am finding that the learning experience comes less from those around me... physically... and much more in a condensed form from reading watching and interacting with other sources... smarter people, and the incredible growth and availability of knowledge through the internet. I often wonder what life would have been like, if I knew then what I know now.
So yeah... sharing. Sharing here... Not just knowledge, but entertainment that comes from opening the website to see what kind of new thoughts others have. I can get the news headlines for the day in five minutes on the internet, but where else can I go to find opinions on vacuum cleaners, roof repairs, music, cars, hobbies... and what other people find important in their lives? Not just one columnist's idea, but a cross section of what smart people think and do.
The only problem is trying to remember the little white lies that I used in trying to make a point.
