fisha, I’ll just echo you with Beaucarnea, being a wonderful person who always amazes me with putting exactly in words what my tentative Net self never is capable of. As in her above post; Gracious, including, and perfectly voiced. She’s just a Peach, all said, and a muy smart one to boot. It’s wonderful to see/read another person’s words, and feel that kind of solid kinship.
When I read these forums, I really think of the typing as being from real people with feelings, and carefully consider what people say before I respond,(except when I’m a WiseAss, but that’s usually with politics). I’m older in years, so didn’t grow up with the Nets being a yammer-fest, still view the written word as carefully considered.
Wondering: is the carefully considered aspect of it a thing of the past? And, does that have an effect on thinking of on-line folks as “friends”?
Oh, you guys… . Listen- my car is imported and my beer is domestic. I have stainless steel appliances, I have never seen an episode of Lost, I come from artistic geniuses and I can’t draw a stick figure. I commit misguided social activisms like avoiding imported exotic produce, and Wal-mart and I’ve been boycotting the comics page for years (until Calvin and Hobbs or The Far Side returns). In early Spring I carry cold bees to flowers, I spend Summer molesting my vegetable plants, Fall finds me in mourning from the moment the first starlings flock, and come Winter I do nothing more than follow the sunbeam around and lie about on the floor. And fisha, forgive me, but after 30+ years of keeping hobby aquariums, I do not have a marine tank, or even a brackish one. I have orandas: a couple of bubble jockies who spend the majority of their day bumping into the clear wall of the tank. (d’oh!) I’m a hack- I truly am.
But if you are ever near the AT and you don’t mind sharing space with a circus-sizes dog and a couple of homely cats, you have a partially remodeled roof over your head, a plateful of organic goodies, and a houseful of electronic entertainment options that would impress the Jetsons. (thank you, Crutchfield boyfriend!)
Me, too. This is the first and only message board/ IM/ cyber interaction that I participate in, and it is my habit to assume that much of what is written is a fair reflection of the author. This is a great learning format- it is painless to skim topics and since cites are so frequently provided, very reliable. But beyond merrily plodding along and gleaning bits of knowledge here and there, I am truly moved by the generosity and honesty of some of the posters. Whether sharing embarrassing medical experiences, confessing social blunders, or divulging personal struggles and triumphs, the candor I have seen here is truly heartening. (I’ll thank faithfool and Anaamika here.)
I don’t interact with any other Dopers enough to consider any of them friends, not even acquaintances really. I do have some very good friends that I’ve met online but not yet IRL though, and I met my husband through an MMO, so I certainly think it’s possible to be close to someone you’ve never met IRL.
Yeah, I do consdier some Dopers to be friends. OTOH, I would likely find it rather dangerous to met up with various Dopers at a party or picnic. --shrug-- Like any other part of life. Good with the bad.
Me, too! I wish I’d actually seen this on Monday when I really, really needed the hug!
(I apologize for bumping a 4 day-old thread, but I just had to acknowledge this!)
I do think of many of you as friends. Some of you are acquaintances. And some of you are that annoying guy in the cubicle down the hall that I can’t get away from.
. Listen- my car is imported and my beer is domestic. I have stainless steel appliances, I have never seen an episode of Lost, I come from artistic geniuses and I can’t draw a stick figure. I commit misguided social activisms like avoiding imported exotic produce, and Wal-mart and I’ve been boycotting the comics page for years (until Calvin and Hobbs or The Far Side returns). In early Spring I carry cold bees to flowers, I spend Summer molesting my vegetable plants, Fall finds me in mourning from the moment the first starlings flock, and come Winter I do nothing more than follow the sunbeam around and lie about on the floor. And fisha, forgive me, but after 30+ years of keeping hobby aquariums, I do not have a marine tank, or even a brackish one. I have orandas: a couple of bubble jockies who spend the majority of their day bumping into the clear wall of the tank. (d’oh!) I’m a hack- I truly am.