VIRTUAL LIFE, REAL ME
AMANDA MOONEY 慕容嫣// WWW.WEARETHEDIGITALKIDS.TUMBLR.COM
When I first moved to China, I was talking with my Edelman colleague, Rebecca Xia, about the role the Internet plays in her life and in the lives of her friends and family. “In my real life, I exist as a ‘virtual me.’” She said. “I go to work. I try to live up to expectations and pressures from parents, my coworkers and society. Then, I go home. I open my computer, I put on some music and I start to dance. That’s the real me.” Since that first conversation with Rebecca, I’ve been fascinated by the interplay between “virtual me” in real life and “real me” in virtual life. I’ve been particularly interested in studying this in the context of a rapidly developing society. Virtual life transcends the pressures of work, the expectations of society, the borders of geography and the cost (money, but also the personal “risk”) of exploring personal passions. So, last week, I worked with Rui Xu, my research assistant, to explore this further. We interviewed roughly 50 people on the streets of Shanghai- from students, to security guards, to watermelon & street food sellers. We asked them about their lives and personalities offline and online. We asked them to imagine what their lives would be like in a world without the Internet. We took two photos of each person we met, asking them to pose first as their “me” in real life and next as their “me” in virtual life. We have omitted photos from respondents who asked us not to publish them here. This isn’t meant to be a definitive study by any means.... or even an actual study. I also didn’t set out with the intent to editorialize their responses. Very simply, I want to share their responses as a small window into this aspect of their lives. I hope, as you read this, you’ll think about your own “virtual me” and “real me” and share your perspective. Here’s what they told us...
VERY HARD LIFE OPPOSITE OF MY DREAM LIFE
WORKAHOLIC A LITTLE OBEDIENT LIVE WITH PASSION
VERY TIRED EFFICIENT OPTIMISTIC
PEACEFUL
YOUNG BUSY
SUFFER WITH PRESSURE
TIRED COMMON STUDENT NOT TRENDY
WORRIED
EVERYTHING IS NEW
RESPONSIBLE FOR MY FAMILY
GENTLEWOMAN HOUSEWIFE
HARD WORKING
STUDY A LOT
UNBALANCED QUIET
PRUDENT
CHEERFUL
RESERVED
SIMPLE
PEACEFUL
READ BOOKS INDEPENDENT KIND
FULL OF JOY
CHANGE RAPIDLY
DISLIKE THE HIGH SPEED OF LIFE
TROUBLE FINDING A JOB SUPPORT MY WHOLE FAMILY
RESPONSIBLE LOVE CHATTING
PLAIN
BASKETBALL
PRESSURE THE STAR ON MY TEAM
EXQUISITE
SUCCESSFUL
DOING EVERYTHING ALONE
SHOPPING
HOMEWORK
GOOD
TRAVELING OPEN-MINDED
BOOKWORM
INTROVERTED A LEADER
DILIGENT
LOOK FORWARD TO LIVING A DIFFERENT LIFE
GENTLEMAN TRY TO LIVE AN ARTIST’S LIFE
VERY COLORFUL EVERYTHING MY PARENTS DON’T LIKE
SUPERMAN
PRETEND TO BE RICHER VERY INDEPENDENT
A CRAZY GIRL HAPPY
PASSIVE
PLAY
A LITTLE VIOLENT
ZHAI NU
POKER
WATCH TV QUITE AWFUL
RELAX
A DISGUISE
ENTERTAINMENT
YOUNG SHARE
OPPOSITE TO REAL LIFE
ALWAYS FEEL VERY EXCITED
SURF CAUTIOUS
EXPLORE HAPPINESS
I CAN BE VERY POPULAR PHOTOS
CHILDISH
COMPLEX
DEFEND
BROADEN MY HORIZON
INFORMATION
STRANGE PEOPLE
OPEN MY EYES TO NEW THINGS
TEAMWORK SPIRIT SEARCH FOR FUNNY THINGS
ADDICTED
SHOPPING MANIA!
CHAT WITH FRIENDS CURIOUS
TIME IS FLYING
A NEW FIELD
CONVENIENT
THE DISCUSSION LEADER
WASTE OF TIME
LOOK FOR EXCITING THINGS
CHESS
MOVIE STARS
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
BUSINESSMAN
TRAVEL
CONNECTION TO A LARGER GROUP
GROUP LEADER
LEARNING
BE A CONSUMER
FANTASTIC TALK FREELY CARTOON MOVIES
SELF-IDENTITY PRIVATE SPACE SEARCH ANYTHING YOU WANT THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE WHAT I LIKE VERY PRECIOUS
LECTURE VIDEOS MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE
CAN’T BE ANOTHER ‘MYSELF’
NERVOUS VERY LONELY
I COULDN’T HAVE TWO KINDS OF LIFE AT THE SAME TIME LOSE PASSION
NO CHANCE TO PLAY
BORED
ANNOYING
CAN’T FEEL HAPPINESS
LONELY
LESS ACCESS TO INFORMATION
VERY BORING
WORRIED SCARED
DISCONNECTED THE SAME
A LITTLE TERRIBLE NOT VERY FUNNY
HARD FOR GLOBALIZATION LESS CONTACT TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD VERY SIMPLE
CAN’T BE A CLEVER SHOPPER
CAN’T BE MULTICULTURAL NOT CONVENIENT
TOO COMPLICATED BETTER COMMUNICATION
FEWER OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE MONEY
(I CAN’T IMAGINE MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET)
SLOWER PACE WASTE OF PAPER
FIND MORE TRUE THINGS IN LIFE MORE FOCUSED ON STUDIES MAKE LESS MONEY LOSE PASSION TO SEE THE WORLD OUTSIDE OF MY PARENT’S EYES
MEET YANG NAN AGE: 17 OCCUPATION: SHOP ASSISTANT HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: ANHUI FAVORITE WEBSITE: TAOBAO
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am a girl who likes to help others and likes to share. Although my family is poor, I have the chance to work in a big city and experience everything that is new. But, sometimes I feel tired in life. However, I believe I can be successful.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I love to surf the internet! I like to buy some small gifts on Taobao. It’s very cheap and I can be the opposite of my job... I can be a consumer! I can also feel happy when I play online games. In this world, I am like a young girl, not a shop assistant.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “Oh, I would live my life with annoyance! I can’t imagine how worried I would be. I would be very scared.”
MEET WU BIAO AGE: 25 OCCUPATION: SECURITY GUARD HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: ANHUI FAVORITE WEBSITE: “ALL WEBSITES ABOUT BUDDHA”
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am an optimistic person and I live a very busy life. As a security guard, I have many small things to handle each day, like opening the gate for the elderly or taking care of small children when they are playing. I need to work from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. I can handle al of these things successfully. I am very young but I am confident for my future.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I like to use QQ to contact my friends and I like watching TV series online. It’s very cheap. The Internet attracts me to pay attention to entertainment. I play games, I watch films… I can relax myself in that world.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “I wouldn’t have the opportunity to get more information about the world. Besides this, I wouldn’t be able to get so many books about Buddha. It’s my religion and it helps me a lot.”
MEET “LIZ” AGE: 22 OCCUPATION: STUDENT HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: CHONGQING FAVORITE WEBSITE: TAOBAO AND DOUBAN
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I act as a gentlewoman. I’m very hard working and like to change. Sometimes, I try to live an artist’s life.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “It’s totally opposite of real life. I am a little gloomy and even negative towards life. Online, I am curious about everything that my parents don’t like.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “I would lose the passion to see the world outside of my parent’s eyes. And, I wouldn’t be connected with fashion.”
MEET ZHANG YI AGE: 29 OCCUPATION: OFFICE WORKER HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: JIANGSU FAVORITE WEBSITE: KAIXIN001 AND QQ
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am optimistic and kind-hearted. I like to live life with my friends and family. But, I often feel tired when I see the skyscrapers in Shanghai. They give me a sense of pressure.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I am very cautious about most websites. They may cheat me. But, I like to look at other’s opinions of news online.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “I maybe couldn’t feel the happiness I get from seeing discussions on BBS. And, it might not be convenient to shop.”
MEET LIU JIANLI AGE: 35 OCCUPATION: SECURITY GUARD HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: ANHUI FAVORITE WEBSITE: QQ
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am busy with work. I’m also sometimes worried about not having the opportunity of education. I’m reserved and quiet.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I like sharing on Weibo. I can get a lot of information there.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “I don’t think my life would change that much. Although, I might feel bored.”
MEET ZHOU YANG AGE: 21 OCCUPATION: STUDENT HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: (NO REPLY) FAVORITE WEBSITE: RENREN, QQ, SINA WEIBO
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am very hard working and study a lot. Even during summer vacation, I would rather read books in the library. I am independent. Like, the book I’m reading now, it’s about traditional Chinese culture. I am not a person to follow the trends in fashion.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “Compared with other people who are the same age as me, I don’t like to build my social network with others. Most people love to use APPs and websites as a social tool. I just like to feel a little childish online. I like to play games like World of Warcraft and like to be a superman in those games.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) (No reply)
MEET FAN JIYI AGE: 39 OCCUPATION: DRUVER HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: ZHEJIANG FAVORITE WEBSITE: IFENG
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am quiet and work hard to support my whole family. I am patient but angry about the high cost of living sometimes.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I can open my eyes to new things. I can relax myself when I’m online. It’s free and easy.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “Maybe it would be the same. I’m very busy with work but I like to use the Internet to read news online.”
MEET WANG ZHAO AGE: 23 OCCUPATION: STUDENT HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: FUZHOU FAVORITE WEBSITE: DOUBAN
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am plain and optimistic. But, now I’m having trouble finding a job.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I like to look for exciting things, like travel events. I am Zhai Nu. I like to spend most of my time staying home and surfing the Internet.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “The world would be too complicated.”
MEET CHANG JINGYI AGE: 22 OCCUPATION: STUDENT HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: XINJIANG FAVORITE WEBSITE: HAO123
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I love chatting with others.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I am a little addicted to the Internet. I am a person with entertainment spirit. So, I like watching videos and playing games. Actually, it’s a waste of time but when I surf the Internet, I can’t feel that time is flying.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “Internet is a disguise. People online may look very kind, but they may they might cheat you offline.”
MEET SHEN LONG AGE: 22 OCCUPATION: WAITRESS HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: (NO REPLY) FAVORITE WEBSITE: NETEASE
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am a simple person. I am quiet and introverted.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “In the Internet, I like to be the discussion leader. Besides this, I can broaden my horizon.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “The world would be very simple and lonely. Internet is a connection with a larger group.”
MEET SHEN LING AGE: 22 OCCUPATION: STUDENT HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: SHANDONG FAVORITE WEBSITE: BAIDU TIEBA
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I like to play. I’m also very exquisite.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “In the Internet, I have a sense of selfidentity in my friends circle.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I can’t imagine my life without the Internet. It’s a very convenient tool.”
MEET WANG QIAN WEN AGE: 22 OCCUPATION: STUDENT HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: JIANGSU FAVORITE WEBSITE: TMALL, HOTMAIL, TOWORDS
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “In university, on weekdays, I have many courses and lots of homework to do. I also take part in some research groups. I like to challenge myself to do better. On the weekend, I need to catch time to relax. I like to go shopping with my friends and traveling to small cities around Shanghai.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “The world of the Internet is fantastic. You can search anything you want. With the development of technology, more and more tools can be used. As for me, I can have a private space with my blog. It’s my own space. If you want to enter, you must have a password. Actually, I have many online websites and many of them are open to my friends so they can comment on my photos, my diaries and so on. But, at the same time, having a private space gives me a huge sense of safety.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “The amount of information I would have access to would be reduced.”
MEET CAI YIWEN AGE: 21 OCCUPATION: STUDENT HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: SHANGHAI FAVORITE WEBSITE: QQ WEIBO, NEW YORK TIMES
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am very optimistic and open-minded. I like to travel abroad and take part in AIESEC and exchange programs. I like to be a leader, although I’m very busy at times.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I am very independent on the Internet. I can choose what I like. My life on the Internet is optional, so I have the right to choose what I like.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “I couldn’t contact friends abroad. My world wouldn’t be multicultural.”
MEET CAO SHINXIN AGE: 21 OCCUPATION: STUDENT HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: SHANGHAI FAVORITE WEBSITE: BAIDU, LONELY PLANET
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am very cheerful and like to change rapidly.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I like learning on the Internet. I can get information as I like. For example, there is a website called ‘TED’ where I can watch lecture videos and gain more experience. For entertainment, I like to share with others. It’s also very convenient for chatting. In a word, it’s very colorful.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “Without the Internet, the world would change at a slower pace.”
MEET HE DANNI AGE: 21 OCCUPATION: STUDENT HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: (NO REPLY) FAVORITE WEBSITE: RENREN
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “It’s the opposite of my dream life. I dream of being a global traveller. But, in fact, I can only be a common student in my university. So, I feel a little unbalanced in my real life now.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I love to share photos and comments. I love photography. On the Internet, I can learn more and read other people’s comments.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “The world will be boring.”
MEET QIAO JUN AGE: 43 OCCUPATION: MILLITARY STAFF HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: SHENYANG FAVORITE WEBSITE: TIANYA
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am a person who has a strong sense of responsibility. Working in the army, the sense of responsibility is the most important thing to me. There must be no mistakes or errors when I’m doing important things. Sometimes, I get a little bored though.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “The Internet is a new field for me. In this new field, I try to explore happiness, like when I’m playing chess or poker. Because of my busy work life, I don’t have so much time to surf the Internet. But, it’s very precious to me.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “I don’t think it would be very different.”
MEET QIAO YIHAN DAUGHTER OF QIAO JUN
AGE: 19 OCCUPATION: HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: SHENYANG FAVORITE WEBSITE: “ALL OF THEM”
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE)" “I am very diligent in school. For example, for the past China high school graduates examination, I got a better score than I imagined I could get and I’m finally entering my dream university. In high school, grade 3 meant hell for us. There was no weekend time and the only thing I could do was focus on studying. It was really boring and I really look forward to going to live a different life.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “When I was preparing for graduation, the only thing for me to do was to use the Internet to check learning materials and send emails. I felt very lonely online during that time.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “I think I would find more true things in life.”
MEET “AUNT LEE” AUNT OF QIAO YIHAN
AGE: 40 OCCUPATION: HOUSEWIFE HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: SHENYANG FAVORITE WEBSITE: SINA BLOGS (STOCK-RELATED BLOGS)
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “Being a housewife means doing everything alone.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “On the Internet, I follow stocks. I am very focused on it. It’s a way that I can make money and also become more knowledgeable.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “It wouldn’t be convenient.”
MEET “AUNT ZHANG” AUNT OF QIAO YIHAN
AGE: 45 OCCUPATION: UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: SHENYANG FAVORITE WEBSITE: (NO REPLY)
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I live a happy life. I love to be with my students. They are young and they give me more ideas when I’m doing research.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “It’s a little complex. I don’t use the Internet very much.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “It will be very simple.”.”
MEET QIAO XI AGE: 22 OCCUPATION: STUDENT HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: SHENYANG FAVORITE WEBSITE: DOUBAN, TAOBAO
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am a little obedient.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I am a crazy girl. I have so many favorite websites. I need the internet from day to night. I must keep on using my computer and can’t live without it.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “Internet is a play tool. If we don’t have access to the Internet, we will not have the chance to play.”
MEET MU YUNSHI AGE: 21 OCCUPATION: JOURNALIST HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: NANTONG FAVORITE WEBSITE: RENREN
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am kind of workaholic.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I may be a liEle childish. I like to watch cartoon movies.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “My working life would be less effecOve.”
MEET MR. LI AGE: “30-35” OCCUPATION: TRYCICLE DRIVER HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: ANHUI FAVORITE WEBSITE: GANJI, DAJIE
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I wish the city inspectors didn’t inspect us as drivers. We don’t make much money. Like for 3 kilometers distance by taxi it costs 13 Yuan. By tricycle, it costs 5 Yuan. And, it’s not very safe. But, it’s the only way for us to make money.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “In the Internet, I just look for part-time job opportunities. I am very hard working.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) (No reply)
MEET WANG JIE AGE: 21 OCCUPATION: STUDENT HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: HUAIAN FAVORITE WEBSITE: IFENG
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “As a student in one of China’s top five universities, I study hard. I always want to know more about myself. I like to be open with others.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “The world in the Internet is very complicated. So, when I’m chatting with others, I try to be easy and kind.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “I think that maybe I would be more focused on my studies.”
MEET LIU WEI LIEN AGE: 23 OCCUPATION: MASTERS STUDENT HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: (TAIWAN) FAVORITE WEBSITE: YAHOO, QIMO
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “My life is full of joy and I’m very thankful for that.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I have to defend myself. There will be advertisements that I don’t need and people I don’t trust. Besides this, I don’t like to be disturbed by some strange people online. They also want to chat on MSN with me. It’s quite awful.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “I think it will be pure.”
MEET XU RUI AGE: 21 OCCUPATION: RESEARCH ASSISTANT HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: (NO REPLY) FAVORITE WEBSITE: ECONOMIST, WEIBO, GOOGLE
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I’m optimistic and confident in real life. I like to smile no matter how hard life can be.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I like to get information and be a little excited. I like to share information with my friends and have discussions with other people. I like to open my heart to others and tell the fun story of my life. I think happiness means more in virtual life.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “Real life would become too complicated. For example, I couldn’t know the news rapidly. The operation speed of the world would be slower.”
MEET DONG LI AGE: 27 OCCUPATION: ENTREPRENEUR HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: SHANGHAI FAVORITE WEBSITE: TAOBAO, AMAZON
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “In real life, I’m very busy but efficient. I like to challenge myself with business.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “It’s shopping mania! I like to look for any information about restaurant discounts, shops and traveling abroad. I also like to chat with my friends on QQ or MSN.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “I wouldn’t be able to get information or see the discussion of the community. So, I wouldn’t be able to be a clever shopper.”
MEET LI GUOJING AGE: 34 OCCUPATION: HR HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: GUANGZHOU FAVORITE WEBSITE: DOUBAN
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am very busy in real life. Lots of responsibilitiesnot only in work but also with my family- wait for me to handle.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I can relax. Besides this, the Internet is very convenient for shopping.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “Oh, I maybe couldn’t feel happiness and I couldn’t be another ‘myself’... thinner and more beautiful. Like in QQ Show, I can be more attractive.”
MEET ZHANG QIXUAN AGE: “80’S GENERATION” OCCUPATION: COURIER HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: XUZHOU FAVORITE WEBSITE: HAO123
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am very kind and responsible. But now I need to keep making money, so sometimes I feel very tired.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “The Internet only means two things for me: relaxation and entertainment.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “It would probably be the same. But, I might feel bored without the Internet.”
MEET LUAN BIN AGE: 40 OCCUPATION: SEAFOOD SHOP OWNER HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: (NO REPLY) FAVORITE WEBSITE: QQ GAMES
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I feel very tired with my life now. I dislike the high speed of life.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “Internet releases the pressure. I also use the Internet as a businessman. I use Alibaba.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “Without the Internet, I would have fewer opportunities to make money.”
MEET CHEN LINLIN AGE: (NO REPLY) OCCUPATION: WAITER HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: (NO REPLY) FAVORITE WEBSITE: QQ GAME- CROSS FIRE
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I live life with passion.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I’m a little violent when I play online games. Although it’s virtual, I need to ‘kill’ someone.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “The world would become very boring.”
MEET LI YI AGE: 30’S OCCUPATION: WAREHOUSE WORKER HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: (NO REPLY) FAVORITE WEBSITE: (NO FAVORITE SITE)
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am very quiet and hard working.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I like to watch TV series. I think it’s a way I can relax myself.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “Without the Internet, I would have less contact with the world outside.”
MEET YANG NING AGE: (NO REPLY) OCCUPATION: STUDENT HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: LIAONING FAVORITE WEBSITE: SINA WEIBO
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am very responsible. I like to play basketball and I am the star of my team. Most of the time, though, I’m very quiet.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I like to chat on QQ. I like to be the QQ group leader. I have many QQ groups. I like talking about travel and my favorite movie stars.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “In real life, I feel nervous when talking with others. I am very familiar with chatting online, in chat rooms, where people can talk freely. But, in real life, I don’t like the atmosphere of discussion.”
MEET LIN CHUANSHU AGE: (NO REPLY) OCCUPATION: EDITING INTERN HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: FUZHOU FAVORITE WEBSITE: WORLD OF WARCRAFT GAME SITES
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I feel good about life now.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “Most of the time, I like to play online games. In the games, teamwork spirit is very important. I am the person to coordinate everything. No matter if we win or lose, I always feel very excited.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “Oh, I maybe could not be very happy and might feel lonely.”
MEET YANG JINYONG AGE: 31 OCCUPATION: TRYCICLE DRIVER HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: ANHUI FAVORITE WEBSITE: QQ, CHESS-RELATED SITES
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “It’s ok.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I like to search for some funny things and local news. It’s a good way to get information.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “I wouldn’t be very happy.”.”
MEET LI JINZHU AGE: 25 OCCUPATION: STREET FOOD SELLER HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: ZHENJIANG FAVORITE WEBSITE: (NO REPLY)
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am now living a hard life. In the life I live now, I suffer with pressure. I think I am responsible for my family. Love will conquer all.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I like to watch TV series online. It’s very convenient.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “It would mean that I couldn’t have two kinds of life at the same time. I couldn’t be busy in reality and happy online.”
MEET TANG YIFEI
AGE: 12 OCCUPATION: STUDENT HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: SHANGHAI FAVORITE WEBSITE: MOLE.61.COM, CARTOON MOVIE SITES
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I love to play a game called Mole.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I can freely and easily watch cartoon movies.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “It would be too boring.”
MEET TANG YIFEI’S GRANDMOTHER AGE: 61 OCCUPATION: RETIRED HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: SHANGHAI FAVORITE WEBSITE: (NO REPLY)
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am now living a simple and good life.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “Internet, for me, is very new. I don’t know much about it. I just know how to read news on it and get some information.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “I think people would communicate better. Like my son, he is always using QQ to chat with others by keyboard. I don’t think it’s good. Face-to-face is easier.”
MEET ZHANG HAO AGE: 38 OCCUPATION: POSTMAN HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: HEBEI FAVORITE WEBSITE: HIS COMPANY’S OFFICIAL SITE
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I think it’s so-so.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I am very passive because my company site is loaded with information like ‘how to be a good worker’ and ‘try to do your best to give service.’ I don’t like it but I must check it on time. It’s a rule of my company to log into the website every week.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “We would waste a lot of paper in our office.”
MEET LI YUN QI AGE: 28 OCCUPATION: CASHIER IN A BOOKSTORE HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: (NO REPLY) FAVORITE WEBSITE: TGBUS
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am quiet and simple.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) (No reply) 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “I may lose much happiness.”
MEET LI ZHAOXUAN AGE: 29 OCCUPATION: SALES ASSOCIATE HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: (NO REPLY) FAVORITE WEBSITE: TAOBAO, QQ
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am now living a hard life and must be careful during work time.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “It’s very free. My dreams (like being rich) can come true. For example, when playing some games, I can pretend to be a richer woman.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “Internet is a waste of time.”
MEET XU JINYONG AGE: 45 OCCUPATION: RETIRED HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: (NO REPLY) FAVORITE WEBSITE: IFENG, LIANZHONG GAME
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am very friendly and kind. I like to chat with friends and drink together.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I like to play games like chess and Mahjong. I can be myself, not someone else. It’s very free.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “Internet is a waste of time. Without it, people might be more efficient.”
MEET YANG HONG
AGE: 46 OCCUPATION: UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: JINLIN FAVORITE WEBSITE: UNIVERSITY LIBRARY SITE, VIDEO SITES
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am very peaceful.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I can be very popular. Because of BBS in my university, many students like to read my blog and ask questions about research.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “It wouldn’t be easy to get information.”
MEET YU JUAN AGE: “35-40” OCCUPATION: STORE OWNER HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: (NO REPLY) FAVORITE WEBSITE: VIDEO CHAT SITES WHERE SHE CAN TALK TO HER DAUGHER
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am very capable.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I am a little nervous when contacting my daughter. Internet is a new tool for me. I don’t know how to do other things except for QQ. When I see that my daughter is on the screen, I feel it’s really fantastic and a little bit strange. But I miss her, so it also has some advantages.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “It would be a little terrible.”
MEET SHENG YONGGANG
AGE: “40-50” OCCUPATION: ACCOUNTANT HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: ANHUI FAVORITE WEBSITE: (NO REPLY)
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am prudent.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I focus on studying stocks. It’s a good way to make money. Also, I can relax myself doing other things.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “For me, I would make less money. For the world, it would be very hard for globalization.”
MEET LI XIE AGE: “35-40” OCCUPATION: ACCOUNTANT HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: ANHUI FAVORITE WEBSITE: XICI.NET
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am open-minded and frank.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I usually download movies. I also like to find partners to travel together.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “It would not be funny.”
MEET ZHANG MEIYI AGE: 27 OCCUPATION: WHITE COLLAR PROFESSIONAL HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: GUANGDONG FAVORITE WEBSITE: TAOBAO
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am very peaceful.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “Sometimes, I’m a shopaholic. I like to shop online.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “I would spend more time and money on shopping.”
MEET LI XU AGE: 19 OCCUPATION: SALES ASSOCIATE HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: ANHUI FAVORITE WEBSITE: BAIDU TIEBA
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am very busy at work.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I love chatting and reading about news and entertainment.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) (No reply)
MEET WANG ANQI AGE: 21 OCCUPATION: SALES ASSOCIATE HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: ANHUI FAVORITE WEBSITE: QQ
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I always smile. I smile not only to others but also to myself.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I love chatting with others through QQ.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “It wouldn’t be convenient to to contact other people.”
MEET LI JIALUN AGE: 18 OCCUPATION: STUDENT HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: QINGDAO FAVORITE WEBSITE: ANY BBS ABOUT NBA
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am a gentleman in real life.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I can be a sports star when I’m playing NBA games online. During those games, I can always take the role of an NBA star and pretend to be Nash and Kobe. I love them. My friends told me that I have the spirit of entertainment.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “There will be no group communication. I think it’s very important.”
MEET WANG YANJIE AGE: “40-50” OCCUPATION: HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: QINGDAO FAVORITE WEBSITE: KAIXIN001
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I’m very peaceful.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) “I’m very social. I can keep in touch with my colleagues online.” 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) (No reply)
MEET WEI YAO AGE: (NO REPLY) OCCUPATION: OFFICE WORKER HOMETOWN/ PROVINCE: (NO REPLY) FAVORITE WEBSITE: (NO REPLY)
现实中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY OFFLINE) “I am a bookworm. I don’t like to live a life that is too complicated.” 网络中我的生活和特质 (MY LIFE AND PERSONALITY ONLINE) (No reply) 我无网络的生活 (MY LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET) “I could not buy books at a low price.”
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