Finally, once that content is public, it is easily accessible (search engines excel at archiving and organizing text), integrates with other content (as part of a series, or excerpts in another author's work), and can inspire a dialog indefinitely into the future (via commenting).

The upshot of these characteristics is that authors can share profound items, comfortable that their physical identity won't easily be discovered. In addition, their contribution will continuously reach many people -- readers who can then perhaps provide feedback, and likewise benefit from the author's own story as well. It is very reasonable that these types of contributions can even form the basis of new friendships between people who share a common understanding.

Contrast this with live media, such as instant messaging or voice communications, where the 'author' is generally more exposed than in blog-like media, either in terms of anonymity or the ability to form their thoughts. In the case of voice, the author's anonymity is more at risk since voices, both speech patterns and sound, are like fingerprints.

In both voice and in chat, editing thoughts before sharing them is more complicated since communication is immediately bi-directional and by nature, time-sensitive. You need to respond quickly or the conversation falls apart. Finally, while archiving both types of communications is certainly possible, it is less likely to serve as a reference to others in the future, or as a provocation for continued interaction.

Thus self-disclosure in 'real-time' media tends to be oriented more towards immediate problem-solving, with less surrounding context and reduced expectation for building relationships.

Are there differences when it comes to privacy or your sense of safety?

In terms of privacy, any time you express your thoughts with attributes unique to you, it potentially removes a layer of anonymity.

For example, with blog-like media, the author has the ability to achieve extreme anonymity with their audience -- reduced to a common language of typed text, their only risk of being discovered is either to mention identifying details in their content, or to demonstrate a highly unique writing style, both of which can be easily remedied with some creative editing.

While the result is often awkward, it becomes distinct enough from the author's usual characteristics to the point where identifying someone with certainty becomes highly unlikely.

When it comes to safety, the fact that it is an asynchronous, one-way conversation provides some insulation from the readership — the author can audit any interaction before responding or making it public.

With voice channels, your speech leaves a rather obvious fingerprint. It is unreasonable to try to disguise your voice, and furthermore, the generally live nature of the medium makes editing your thoughts before they are shared infeasible. On the other hand, this is a 'safer' medium in that demographic data about the other party cannot be faked — e.g., you'll generally be able to tell if the person on the other end is really a middle-aged female like their profile says they are.

IM can be extremely anonymous -- there is little to identify you inherent in the medium itself, and the staccato, time-sensitive conversations limit the audience one reaches. However, it is a very 'unsafe' medium in that there is little background, if any, on your audience members, who may be taking advantage of the anonymity to misrepresent themselves.

You can reach Armen Berjikly on Skype, by email, or at +1-650-745-1054.

About Berjikly and the Experience Project.

Armen Berjikly graduated with a Bachelors in Computer Science from Stanford University. His primary research focus was Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), where he worked closely with professor Clifford Nass, author of the ground-breaking HCI work, The Media Equation. He went on to obtain a Master's Degree in Management Science and Engineering, also at Stanford, with an emphasis on Organizations, Technology and Entrepreneurship. While at Stanford, Armen was chosen to be a Mayfield Fellow, a prestigious association that provided intensive training in entrepreneurship for those with an engineering background.

Armen helmed numerous successful internet startups in the past, including FileDemon-- the first meta-search engine for files, Do Everything-- the first comparison music shopping engine, and multiple online patient health communities designed to sponsor hope through research and community.

Armen's passion is building technology that efficiently unites people who can help each other. The Experience Project is the culmination of these efforts, providing a broad platform to connect new friends and ensure that no one feels alone.

Moved by the life changing Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis of one of his closest friends, Berjikly originally found Experience Project as a resource for people diagnosed with the disease as a place where they could share their experiences together in an honest, helpful fashion. He was inspired when he discovered the positive power created when people, often times perfect strangers, came together to share common life experiences. After witnessing powerful transformations and improved overall happiness and well being from his members just from connecting with people that share similar stories, Berjikly created the Experience Project to open the door to all people and all life experiences.

Berjikly is committed to growing the community organically into an always growing set of shared support tools along the journey of life. Referred to by members as the 'best kept secret online,' Experience Project membership is doubling monthly, with the community now reaching hundreds of thousands of unique visitors. Member affinity is outstanding and resonates around the theme of creating meaningful connections with new friends and finally finding a place to 'be themselves' online. Nearly 75% of the site's users are female. The ultimate mission of the Experience Project is to provide a place where no one feels alone, and perfect strangers can become good, possibly lifelong friends.