ThisIsMe123
This And That
I’ve been on here a long time. Back when access was only available through college, dial-up, and service like AOL. WebTV didn’t exist yet. No matter how you slice it you’re talking to strangers. You can only know them to degree they permit assuming what they say is true.
Some people are married and don’t admit it. Live with someone and claim they’re single. Older or younger than they say. Don’t look like the picture they say is them. Or aren’t the gender they play online. That’s the nature of the beast. And it happens all the time.
I’ve caught more people in lies, uncovered hidden lives, and watched more takedowns and outings than I care to recall. I met my best friend in a chat room 20 years ago. And we’re still going strong. But we’re not typing anymore.
I have tenure with the people I encountered in this medium. Sixteen years or more and we’ve grown beyond this. I’m not looking for friends. I already have them and I know them intimately. We do life together. This has a purpose but that isn’t how I use it.
Others may have a different approach and see it as a tool for different things and that’s fine. If that’s the case they should pursue it. But there’s going to be others who feel differently. And that’s okay too.
I don’t ask those kind of questions. It’s none of my business. If you want me to know you’ll tell me. I’m a stickler for place. I can’t be anything to anyone they don’t desire. They determine my role in their life and it will never go further than they choose. And the reverse holds true.
That doesn’t bother me. Most people discuss the things they value or find meaningful. Given our diversity it covers a lot. People bond over different things. Some want to share burdens, interests, activities and so on. If you want to get to know them meet them where they are. Common denominators are a good starting point.
People invest when they want to. They’ll make the effort if they have a reason. It has to be mutually desirable. Otherwise its unbalanced and you’re seeking something they’ll never provide.
Money isn’t an impediment for connection. That’s rarely the reason bonds aren’t formed. It’s usually an aspect of their character or temperament. Different things make different people tick.
Interesting....I have never valued building friendships with anyone online...I think I had at one time, when chatrooms were promiment in the dial up days in the 90s at most, but now...it means nothing to me.
I think with me having put myself out there with the Meetup site made me look forward to those real life, in person gatherings
Nothing beats having all the 5-senses of an in person interaction. Online...there's no body language or inflection, eye contact, etc. We're so disconnected online, that it seems people PREFER to have interaction exclusively online.
Linux also seems to have this kind of bitterness towards people in his/her own church community, not sure how he/she is outside of it with people.
I get the feeling that message boards is the only solace for some people. (I mean no offense by this).
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