WoW, Real life, and people...

Q u o t e:
Do people act in real life like they do in wow?

I'll bite. Let's see if we can't get some constructive and intelligent debate going. Here's my 2cp:

Obvious jokes about "epic loot" IRL, and how some people use acronyms in speech, and cut to the question the OP is actually addressing: do people in general treat each other the same way in person as they do behind the veil of anonymity found on the internet?

This is clearly a somewhat subjective question, but I'd wager to say that the amount of people who act identically (bad) in both places are in the minority.

Keeping that in mind, the question of "why is it so?" quickly enters the fray; and from here on out we are talking about something that could be detailed in a University thesis study on human social behaviour. I suppose the condition to be met is; "do I think I can get away with [what I was going to do]?"

The ideal world would have the entire online community follow the same mentality as if anonymity did not exist; and that the community as a whole shunned those who behaved in ways considered unacceptable; but that is, as stated, an ideal world. However, It does not mean that we should not aim to do just that though. In the vast majority of cases, the mentality of the community will shape the behaviour of the community far more effectively than a totalitarian reactive "police" approach.

The question up for debate then becomes; how does one influence the community as a whole to make better choices, and to treat each other nicer? Let's hear your thoughts!

Q u o t e:

Q u o t e:
http://www.ted.com/talks/jane_mcgonigal_gaming_can_make_a_better_world.html

Stay awhile, and listen.

Lol...

"When we're in game worlds, I believe most people become the best of ourselves"

Yea... ok "WTF NOOB, YOUR DPS SUCKS". So that's the best part of them people? :o I didn't know.

Hmm... I think that there is some merit to the idea that people do become the best of themselves in game worlds, or at least I think that is the case until the influence of the obnoxious minority kicks in and overpowers them. I think this pie chart explains things pretty well: http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/3629/piecharts.jpg