We are not a community

[lighthouse_hope]

I believe it is important to call a spade a spade. Online forums and the such do not constitute a community. It is not a problem of the people, the issue or the technology. It is simply that we do not know each other, nor we truly care about each other.

The link that unites us is only a shared interest. I have often fallen in the trap of believing that because somebody shares some viewpoint, he or she is a friend. He or she is not, and it will become sharply apparent the first time I ever disagree with me on something.

So, no, I don't want to call anybody here a friend. It would be worse in the long run. We aren't a community.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Being friends doesn't mean we have to agree with each other on every issue.

Jim

 

[lighthouse_hope]

Being friends doesn't mean we have to agree with each other on every issue.

Jim

It means we shouldn't treat each other as dirt when we disagree.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

It means we shouldn't treat each other as dirt when we disagree.

OK, I misunderstood your original post.

Agreed

Jim

 

[Colin]

It means we shouldn't treat each other as dirt when we disagree.

AMEN !

 

[Dark_Lite]

I believe it is important to call a spade a spade. Online forums and the such do not constitute a community. It is not a problem of the people, the issue or the technology. It is simply that we do not know each other, nor we truly care about each other.

The link that unites us is only a shared interest. I have often fallen in the trap of believing that because somebody shares some viewpoint, he or she is a friend. He or she is not, and it will become sharply apparent the first time I ever disagree with me on something.

So, no, I don't want to call anybody here a friend. It would be worse in the long run. We aren't a community.

Communities form whenever people gather together for a long period of time. Doesn't matter if it's in real life or on an internet forum. Friendships can be forged online. Friendships can be broken online. The interactions of people on the internet is slightly different than in real life, but the effects are all the same.

OBOB goes through periods of tumultuousness. In time, it will pass, like all things do. I agree that civility in discussion will go a long way towards solving it sooner.

 

[Rebekka]

Real life friendships can end unexpectedly and over trivial things, too - not unlike online ones.

Some of the people that left OBOB were dear to me and I truly miss them. I feel more detached from OBOB now then when they were still here. But that doesn't mean that others who are here now can't be a community - just that I'm not really a part of it.

 

[Memento Mori]

I care about a lot of the people here in OBOB, though I acknowledge that I don't really "know" them... just fragments of their personalities and in some cases not even their real names. But you don't need to "know" someone to love them and be their friend. I hurt when e-friends hurt and smile when they are happy. As limited as these friendships are, I don't think they're unreal. Think of OBOB as a family of strangers.

 

[ProScribe]

I still come to OBOB to read about whats going on.

 

[Lady Bug]

I would only hope that some people online actually care about me as a person

 

[tadoflamb]

I would only hope that some people online actually care about me as a person

Lady Bug, I was just going through a mental run down of all the people I care about on this board and you were one of the first.

I'm happy to call you friend.

 

[Memento Mori]

I would only hope that some people online actually care about me as a person

Who are you again girl? JK! I thought of you and Rhamiel when I mentioned people whose real names I don't even know

 

[tadoflamb]

I like Jared too.

 

[Memento Mori]

Good, because I like tad. Is your real name Tad (that would be awesome)? Because of this thread I want to know everyone's name now.

 

[tadoflamb]

Yup, Tad.

I enjoy being a part of this online community. I've made a lot of friends here.

 

[eastcoast_bsc]

Years ago they had Pen Pals. I worked with a woman who married her Pen Pal.
Today we have the Internet. I still often wonder how some of the people are, who I have met and moved on.

It seems someone hurt you possibly ?

 

[Rhamiel]

meh, it is what it is
like at work, there are some people i talk to at work but we just chat and i do not really care about, our only thing in common is that we work at the same place
then there are other people at work who I have grown close to
same with internet forums, some people are just people here who happen to post in the same place as me, i am friendly with them but not close
other i think of as true friends

I will not say her name because she is a shy, but there is someone from Christian forum who is now a close friend of mine, we have been emailing and chatting online for over a year now, she is always in my prayers

 

[benedictaoo]

I believe it is important to call a spade a spade.

That can get you fired.

Online forums and the such do not constitute a community.

tell us something we don't know.

It is not a problem of the people, the issue or the technology. It is simply that we do not know each other, nor we truly care about each other.

tell us something we don't know.

The link that unites us is only a shared interest. I have often fallen in the trap of believing that because somebody shares some viewpoint, he or she is a friend. He or she is not, and it will become sharply apparent the first time I ever disagree with me on something.

So, no, I don't want to call anybody here a friend. It would be worse in the long run. We aren't a community.

then what are we?

 

[Angeldove97]

I have made some wonderful friends through CF. I even met my future husband through this site. I think it depends on how much love and dedication you put into getting to know the members at a site. I often will talk via pm, profile post, or IM with people at this site. I do care alot about them (shout out to Lady bug ), I pray for them, and I listen to their wisdom.

Even when I don't agree with people at this forum, I'm still thankful that they share their ideas. If anything it allows me to be sure of what I believe and why I believe it. I don't think I would have been so deeply rooted into the Catholic faith without OBOB and I don't think I would have even rediscovered my love of Orthodoxy without this site. This community gets me to think and wonder and I'm happy about that.

 

[Cosmic Charlie]

We are not a community

I suppose I could argue the point (and I would if it wasn't so blasted hot and I wasn't so, well, blasted) but ....


... it would be a stretch I would guess to call OBOB a community


I guess that's why people call online groups with common interest a "posse"

I suggests an eclectic group of people with little in common but the immediate task.