It's not just particular to the internet. People are equally filtered when they write a letter to the editor, or a column, or a group letter for Christmas or whatever... and it's not just particular to print, either-- phone messages can be somewhat artificial, too.

What makes it less than a full representation of the person is one's awareness that one is speaking in a public setting where people may actually be paying attention.... one communicates with a different sense of awareness than might occur in a private communication.

Not so different from how one might dress in public.... vs. how one might dress in private.

And the misunderstandings can happen similarly.

For instance, say Hardi (who owns the debit card) goes online to get me some lingerie. Ya'll know I'm a big 'un. Are they gonna see the man's name as purchaser and assume he's going to wear the stuff???? Three years later, will he still be getting spam from the cross-dressers' vendors!? I'll let you know how it goes-- we have our first purchase pending now! :~)

Not sure "cowardly" applies as much as one might assume. But I do think some people especially want to make use of the opportunity to hide what they are really about, and that the internet environment draws them into a deeper involvement and practice of that, than might other media.

~S~