How accurately does the anonymity of the internet reflect the opinions of the real world?

Sand Hologram: How accurately does the anonymity of the internet reflect the opinions of the real world?
Are people on the internet allowed to be more truthful? Is it easier for them to lie? Do these two possibilities reach a balance? Is it impossible to tell because the internet is unpredictable and random?

Does the accuracy of the internet depend on the amount of internet you are encompassing? Are the opinions of the worldwide web more accurate than the opinions on Y/A?

Are the opinions that exist on the internet almost exactly the same as the thoughts of the general population?

Are the opinions on the internet grossly different from the opinions people publicly state?

Answers and Views:

Answer by babysnoopyfan
no, depends on the group of people you get answering your question.
I usually like to hear the unique perspectives on here.
I think in general the internet is a double edged sword.
It works for and against you.
Think about it. You can google anyone, and it will give out any info and show you where people live and everything.
And people can google you.
I think that is kind of scary.

Answer by Q
It can go either way.

You can be anything you want to be.
You can present yourself in any way you want.

Or,

People will be themselves when no one is watching.

Answer by gazakoolie
Yes! Just as the person in the car behind you rides your bumper. That same person would not walk on your heals be hide you.

Answer by Happy Hiram
If I had a room full of 13 and 14 year olds (like this usually is,) in the REAL WORLD, there is NO POSSIBLE way we could be having this level of intelligent discourse. The internet is unlike anything in the real world. Statements made here are neither more accurate or more deceptive, they are just more “real.” People speak from the heart even if they are lying their asterisk off.

Opinions on YA! are brilliant given the source (no offense meant everybody.) We are not experts or pro-bono advisers. We are virtually a gaggle of chimpanzees doing particle physics. (Don’t ya love the mixed metaphors in that one?)

Yahoo Answers is NOT A SOURCE of validated information. You would have to be crazy to come here looking for information you were going to rely upon as fact. Wikipedia is much more stringent and is three fourths lies and distortions, so, you gets what you pay for.

But I found people who understand concept in here that I have spent a lifetime looking to discuss with someone in vain.

YA! is NOTHING LIKE REALITY, THANK YOU GOD.

Answer by A Clockwork Apple
This “place” is far more real than reality will ever be.