this post was submitted on 29 Dec 2025
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Do people actually say "he's not like that in real life"?
Yes, especially when they need to defend a nazi they know in real life.
Ok. I've never seen it, but I also don't use Xitter, Mastodon, etc.
Back in the day it was... "Oh... They are not actually like that."
Or "What they actually meant was...."
Or "They are such a jokester"
For example, we saw that a lot out of boomers and silent gen folks leading up to Trump's first election. Quite a bit of dismissive language over behavior that should have caused him to be removed from candidacy.
Not to make it political... But that's just a quick example that came to mind.
I have a friend like this. Absolutely vile on Facebook, but a decent person in RL. But I know that the online him is how he really is.
Have you considered maybe both are real and people aren't just black and white?
How you behave when nobody's looking is the kind of person you truly are. Internet is the same as the "nobody looking" part means that there are no consequences for your acts. So yeah, if you are evil on the internet... I have news for you.
The vile person is the real person, the offline persona is a facade. This is backed up by science.