No question!

Many people in SL (and the forums) are way too emotional in responses.
They behave like it's their FIRST life, instead of the second life.
All the drama i came accross, it's unhealthy and sad, to see how people dive into it, like it is about their real human presence and life. IT IS NOT.
It's about your avatar and behavior along with it. Nothing more.

Who gives a damn, if you're being called names, or being harrassed with threats.
Just Ignore, or TP away from there, and be done with it. No need for all the drama the world can take. Same counts for broken heart stories, most of them if you read them carefully, are not about true love, but just a little crush on a stranger, they infact don't know for real.
(never met him/her in rl, etc...)

SO, to all the drama kings/queens, whipe those tears and sorrow looks, and be realistic about it. It's not about YOU as rl person, but your presence in SL, which works by other (social) rules, then rl does.

Oh yeah, one more thing... the sex stuff.. why is it so hyped.. comon, it's two 3d characters moving in sequenced looped animations, over and over again, no facial emotions (real onces), bad leg/arm movements (most times they are not fitting the sizes of the av's, which results in air play instead of impression of touching. I find it laughable)
but, still people can get upset about it, somehow (the participants in sex).. because of someone saying something, or whatnot... Like they in RL having sex with the opponent.
Which they are not in any way. (only fantasy.. not physically).

go fool your pet animal with stories, that you are truely horny by watching those silly movements 3d characters make alone..

end of rant like post.
(with some sarcasm added, to please pep )

It is important to distinguish between "feelings" as in sensation and "feelings" as in emotions.

I don't know what sort of "feelings" you are in control of - your sensations? You would feel it if I hit you.

What we can control is our reaction to these things - or at least partially control actions most of the time. The experience of emotion or sensation is not so controlable. We have to resort to memory to deliberately make ourselves experience an emotion.

I don't actually.
Usually boredom, interest or amusement!
It's difficult to use words to express feelings or emotions isn't it!

Pep (But that shouldn't stop anybody from trying.)

I prefer writing things down or taking pictures/movies to record things.

Pep (Much more reliable than emotionally distorted memory.)

The distinction you're making is a bit of a fine line. In general I don't think most people are able to exert that much intellectual control over feelings and responses (I don't think I do!). If they could, no-one would have had to develop Cognitive Behavioural Therapy techniques.

I'd say the definition of the idea of "choice" is absolutely the key to your question - I agree with Lauren there.

Good question, btw.
--
Aes

I'd agree that the way one expresses an emotion is largely a matter of choice, particularly in a written form, such as here on a forum. I could be angry, upset or sad at something I read here, but I could always choose the tone of my response.

I'm not so sure that it's the same face-to-face. I've had times when I couldn't stop myself from crying, for example. I'm certain that it would have made the situation easier for me *not* to cry, so it's my belief I neither chose my emotion (sadness) nor my response (crying). I'm not sure what *you* would define as my 'feelings' in this situation, so it's hard for me to decide whether they were under my control, or not.

Go for it Laurin You are responsible for your actions, so have fun.

There was a rash of suicides in Europe after that book became popular. It *did* popularize the notion of romantic suicide.

.

Yes, but will you be responsible for the resulting repetitive movement injury or will I?

personally, i can't argue an opinion i agree with. i also realize that you misspelled realize. just sayin...
heeeee

bigger ---> http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2527/3886194155_d231f5a96b_o.jpg

Ah - maybe you have a mild form of Cotard's Syndrome. That could explain a lot.

Haha! RSI in the wagging finger! Don't overdo it Laurin - use with discretion, now.

/me makes mental note to issue a notecard with a disclaimer.

Not if you realise that realise is a common and acceptable British English spelling of the word in question.

The etymology of "realise" is traceable to the Latin "res"; and traditional Latin didn't have a "z" in its alphabet, so I am afraid that technically you are completely incorrect, as usual, even though I acknowledge usage in the newer and more lexically carefree part of the British Empire is less rigorous.

Pep (Jus' sayin')

Back when Clinton was president, I had a friend who *hated* Clinton, and everyone in our group of friends knew that if you just mentioned the name, our man would go off on a angry tirade. He would get all red and nearly shout for at least twenty minutes.

It was infallible. You could even just say the word. Once a bunch of us were hanging out together, and one guy who was leaving said "Clinton" with a twinkle in his eye just before he shut the door, leaving the rest of us to endure the bitter torrent of words.

Of course we all told the man to shut up, that we'd heard it before, didn't want to hear it now, etc.

But here is the point: everyone was (laughingly) angry at the guy who left because HE pushed that button.

In a perfect world - in which everyone is as brilliant as our OP - none of this would happen. Or if it did, it would have happened on purpose.

The guy who left could easily say, as Pep does, that he is free to express himself as he likes, but both of them know that they are poking a fire. When the flareup occurs, isn't it [the word escapes me] to pretend that it was the fire's fault?

.

According to my brother (who is a GP, but previously specialised in psychiatric medicine) I have multiple personality disorders ranging from the mild to the extreme. That may be one of them. I certainly have been for a swim in a river in Egypt.

Pep (But since sociopathy does not exist medically, I can't suffer from that problem.)

It may have been his fault, but he was not responsible for the feelings of the guys he left behind.

Pep (If I say it often enough maybe you will "get it".)

i believe this...you are responsible for your actions and how you manage your emotions and emotional responses to things around you. everyone can react differently to the same event. its what you do after the emotion that is the key. so no, i do not believe anyone is responsible for anyone else's emotions or emotional responses....period.

"I don't actually."

you are entitiled to your opinion

"Usually boredom, interest or amusement!"

yes, we agree - they invoke feelings in you

"It's difficult to use words to express feelings or emotions isn't it!"

no it isn't - again, my opinion
and thank you for the critique - makes me feel so special

"Pep (But that shouldn't stop anybody from trying.)"

again we agree

Pep, if I were to stamp on your bare big toe, really give it a good stomp, would I be responsible for your pain? By your reasoning, it'd really have nothing to do with me as it would be your toe, your nerves and your noodle processing the signals. I am so tempted to tell your wife this

good thing i'm not from there then. y'all are doing it wrong.

That is a physical response to a physical stimulus.

Pep (Nothing to do with "feelings".)

You remind me of the proud mother watching her son in the marching parade.

Pep (She says: "Look! He's the only one in time".)

thank you.

Pep, consider the finger wagged. We've already sorted the labels of feelings and emotions, yes? If I continue the analogy, you could curse, cry or bite your lip, which would be your response.

huhu, oh Mrs Pep....