Appendix C Written Survey Results (and online interviews) Collected by Sara H. Miller, Wellesley University -- Written surveys -- 12. What do you think of net.relationships (boyfriend/girlfriend)? I think that they are cool, as I am in one... 13. What do you think of net.sex? It's over rated... Try having real sex with another IRCer... Much more fun. ----- 12. What do you think of net.relationships (boyfriend/girlfriend)? In principle I have no objections. It depends on how they are conducted. In practice there are complexities due to the very obften ENORMOUS distances between the relevant parties. IRCers are only human. And humans do not have a good record for maintaining affection sfor each other. For many the frustrations of distance are enough the put an end to an otherwise healthy relationship, and all other flaws in human nature are added to this as well. They CAN work. But as a general rule, they are not terribly successful. Again. It all comes down to teh sincerity of the ppl involved. 13. What do you think of net.sex? I can see that mainstream population would find it a bit BIZZARRE to say the least. Probably because it is. But considering that in Cyberspace everyone is disembodied, the normal protocols for such things would be accepted in REAL LIFE, but over a computer you are left somewhat limited in that area. At the very worst, it is no more concerning than lovers making erotic phone calls to each other. This is effectively what net.sex can be equated to in the REAL world. ----- 12. What do you think of net.relationships (boyfriend/girlfriend)? A. Well IRC is like any meeting medium and when people meet there is always a possibility that some of those who meet are going to fall in love .. I believe that IRC can only get you as far as a solid foundation for a relationship .. true love or 100% committed love can only really come once the couple meet face to face and experience all of each other ... 13. What do you think of net.sex? A. A good source of fantasies and to find your partners real desires .. IRC has less inhibitions ... but net.sex id by no means a substitute for the real thing and IRC is not a place pureley for net sex .. same as with any communication medium you will have some form of sex .. just look at phone sex ... ----- 12. What do you think of net.relationships (boyfriend/girlfriend)? Hmmmmm not to sure on this one i once thought they were great,but then i had a bad experience. Now i have stufted up totally and i really like someone else who is far out of reach than othre means (looking at a hell phone bill now!) 13. What do you think of net.sex? Hmmmmm net sex, Tis a a hard question this one, well i think net sex is a perverted person who cant get enuf and has to find it any means they can. However i wont say my views have changed to much but i was well told that net.sex is a peotic form of hmmm ummm well expressing sexually emtions as they can be written with so many different conatations, like on thios one i really dont know about so i think i will leave it there. ----- 12. What do you think of net.relationships (boyfriend/girlfriend)? They work for some people, but I think the odds of it working out are very low. I've been hurt pretty bad by them, so I've sworn off. 13. What do you think of net.sex? It's not as good as the real thing, but it's better than nothing. ----- 12. What do you think of net.relationships (boyfriend/girlfriend)? hm...hard to say, if they progress into something real, it's okay...kinda nifty it's nice to like someone on irc, because you like them for who they are, not what they look like or what they have, but if it's just some thing where people just get on irc to goof off and play with people's emotions, I have to go against that 13. What do you think of net.sex? heh...very mentally stimulating...and if she is good with words and descriptions...physically stimulating...I like it...I like to know that what I type is having a physical effect on the person on the other side, that make me evil? ----- 12. What do you think of net.relationships (boyfriend/girlfriend)? I see two kinds of net.relationships. There is the not so serious kind of relationship, that usually doesn't work in RL. And there is also a more serious kind. I think the second type is much more interesting and long lasting. Witness Troy and Vikz who met on IRC and are now together in RL (that's my impression of what happened =) I myself am involved in a more serious kind of relationship right now. In fact, I'm flying down to be with Julie later this week. So... I think net.relationships can be a very rewarding experience for those of us trapped on the net. However, the first kind, the less serious kind can be done just for fun. Blah blah blah... this is a hard one to answer =) hmmm... Okay, I like my net.relationship, and am quite happy that other ppl can enjoy such things. At the same time I'm kind of leary or distrustful of the less serious kind of relationship. They seem kind of shallow to me. But different ppl different mores, so, there's what i have to say. =) 13. What do you think of net.sex? Net.sex is a great way to learn about yourself and about what you like. It's also a way of learning about other ppl. Hmmm, it can also lead to some fairly creative writing skills. =) And some great one-handed typing skills. ;*) I suppose some ppl just do not like net.sex or even the idea. But *shrug* that is their opinion. Net.sex is an electronic version of what goes on in RL. Except, it's safer. There's no chance of pregnancy or disease (aside from Carpal Tunnel Syndrom =). I don't think it will ever replace good old-fashioned RL relationships, but it is a nice learning environment and an interesting experience. ----- 13. What do you think of net.sex? It can't possibly hope to compare with the real thing. :) But when it happens between two people who care about each other, it does mean more than just words on a screen. ----- 12. What do you think of net.relationships (boyfriend/girlfriend)? i think they are cute, and kind of fun, but it is important to be realistic anout the relationship. i guess sometimes they work out in real life, but i think a lot of the appeal of them is the fact that that other person can be anything you want him/her to be. it's never quite the same when you meet in real life. 13. What do you think of net.sex? i don't. ----- 12. What do you think of net.relationships (boyfriend/girlfriend)? Why not? It's not a bad thing at all. If anything we judge the people we meet for what they are rather tahn what they look like or the color of their skin. And as for bf's and gf's well you spend time with them like in a normal relationship..it's just a little different and offers the opportunity to have a gf or bf on the other side of the world if you want. 13. What do you think of net.sex? This has always seemed a bit lame to me..I mean what is the point of having "sex" with someone on a screen..Ok it might be erotic, but it doesn't really appeal to me. ----- 12. What do you think of net.relationships (boyfriend/girlfriend)? They're nice... and even if the couple never meet, i think a good friendship comes out of it... hopefully :) I think they're no big deal really. 13. What do you think of net.sex? netsex... a way to act out fantasies one can't have in real life or a way of getting turned on. *smile* It can be fun... but i think some people take it too seriously or others find it very very amusing and that's not good. ----- --online interviews-- > what do you think of net romance? its as legitimate a relationship as a "real life" one > could you explain further? others may think that a net romance is out of the usual... in my opinion it is just as real a relationship as an "in person" romance > why do you think that? i happen to be part of one such a relationship now > do you find taht relationship fufilling? to an extent.... the fact that the relationship is not "in person" limits how far the relationship progresses > what do you think of net.sex? well i see it as just an intimate conversation, it is no substitute for the real thing ----- > what do you think of net.romance? i find it wierd, i have a sence of reality its hard to imagine doing something like that with not being able to touch or see the person its a lot like phone romance....some people like it, some don't although it seems that everyone tries it once to see what its like ----- > what do you think of net.romance/net.sex? I think meeting someone of the opposite sex, to primarily get to know them and get involved with them is great, you can feel free, and yet be safe, but as for actual net.sex, I don't do that.. I think it's corny so romance is cool ----- > what do you think of net.romances / net.sex ? net.romances dont seem to work too often. net.sex, i dont partake, (not usually :) but some people enjoy it. ----- net romances? well from what i hear from other ppol who've gone through this experience.... net romances always end in disaster one person , or both, end up getting hurt some times, when 2 ppl start talking on irc, one person gets really attached to the other, and it may not be reciprocal or, 2 ppl will grow very close and think they've "fallen in love" for those ppl whose irc love realtionship became a reality, i mean, for those who actually met up to see how thing'd work out, it went completely wrong it's strange, but, another thing about irc romances is, that if you don't irc, you totally have no sympathy for that friend of yours who is in love you tend to write it off, be cynical, and thik that person is foolish bc you irc, you undertsand how ppl can grow close to each toehr other but, as much as you think you guys are in love the biggest obstacel in your way of a true relationship is IF you guys are as compatible in real life as you are over the net you may think your irc mate is this wonderful person, that you finally found your "soulmate" but, you never know... this person may be creating a totally different persona on irc he/she may be totally disgusting and reppulsive in real life they may have warts all over their faces tehy may smell bad you get turned off thinking how you may've fooled around w/ certain ppl over irc