1. Have you ever used MID here? If yes, why?
Yes, but only to stalk other members and since I would show up in their dashboard, and it's possible I get called out for stalking them.😆
Haven't picked up a fight with an MID because seriously that's a waste of energy and also some members are too smart to know your writing style. They could see through you and that's embarassing.😆
2. What motivates members to open mids? Anyone hardly knows anyone anyways, so why are some afraid to come from their IDs to say what they want to say?
3. Are they afraid they will get banned, or are they trying to save face?
4. Are they afraid they will be judged by their friends maybe?
IF unlike reddit gives the members an identity. We are allowed to post DPs and siggies. There are less members which makes it easier for everyone to be familiar and know each other. There ain't a sea of posters on IF, and definitely not in any particular forum.
Due to which people have a reputation here, and some people grow too close to each other, to the point that some even follow each other in social media platforms apart from IF. Some even talk to each other in phone or meet them in person. Nobody wants to get embarassed in front of their friends. Internet helps us to answer our deepest thoughts and share the most unpopular opinions which we can't say in person to anybody. But when we have friends or a reputation even on anonymous forums like this, then again we have to take care of our image by not posting controversial stuff.
Also sometimes the discussions get too heated, and some members take it personally to bring old posts of the person they're fighting with to show their hypocrisy. Others just want to troll and harass people and find it funny.
Basically this forum has alot of kids, mentally if not physically (me included) who haven't grown out of their high school phase. Not wanting to lose their original ID, yes that's also a reason because it's alot likely they are going to post something their MIDs which could get them a warning or ban.
29