Quote:
Originally Posted by Cron  This is one of the things that usually brings me hostility when I discuss this issue in other forums. I don't believe an "online community" is truly a community. I think people who tell themselves they are part of a community by participating in a forum rather then going out and doing things with other people are lying to themselves.
I think the "online community" thing is a poor ersatz for real human contact in real time, but that is what is happening for many people ( myself included )
I don't write any of this in a judgmental way, I am in the same hole. |
On the contrary Cron, an online community can be just as beneficial in real time. A little while ago a forum member based in Ireland posted a help thread in my forum - his sister based in London was stuck at home unable to move out of her apartment with back pain and he needed help and suggestions about getting groceries to her as soon as possible. Another forum member who works in London, private messaged him and went out of his way to personally deliver groceries to her door.
IMHO when a community that know one another online and interact with one another daily can go out of their way like that to assist someone that they only know in the virtual world, then you realise that what you have created is a powerful tool to help those who need people to turn to.
Obviously there are unhealthy aspects to forums, but I am choosing to focus on the positive bits
PS: learnt a new word today 'ersatz'
