Class #3 Response

I loved the "lights out" experiment. I didn't realize, until after Beth mentioned it, that more people were talking when the lights were out (or when the disco ball was on) than when the lights are on. We should have more classes like that! It really does make it easier, especially for New Media people like us, because we tend to be a more introverted breed. Most of us are so caught up in the ideas swirling around in our heads that when it comes time for us to take a stand and present ourselves to the world, we lack confidence. As an introvert myself, I know all too well how difficult it is to gain, and then maintain that confidence. Sometimes you have it one day, and then it may be months before you actually get it back again. We tend to get really brilliant ideas, but only share them with the few people closest to us (if we even share them at all!). There's a reason "trolls" are out there on the internet- because that's the only place they can feel confident about themselves. When nobody knows who you are to attack you for your opinions, it's like an adrenaline rush of confidence. And in an online setting, you never have to go back and look at your comment again, or deal with any responses you may get if you dont want to. In real life, if you are face to face with someone and you insult them, then you are forced to deal with the consequences right then and there. And the pressusre and guilt of that is never easy to deal with.