I have never made a friendship that exists exclusively in cyberspace. I can't imagine calling anyone a friend without ever meeting them in person. I've talked to strangers online, like in this class for example. But I wouldn't consider anyone a friend until I actually met them.
I think cyberspace relationships and f2f relationships are drastically different even though sometimes they may feel one in the same. I have not formed cyberspace relationships because I don't think people are completely honest online. I think people tend to embellish about themselves and make themselves look a lot more accomplished and attractive then they actually are.
Our textbook says that "the fear that has most captured the public's attention is the fear that individuals who use computers will become isolated, abandoning face-to-face interaction in favor of life lived in cyberspace" (328). I have definitely fallen victim to trends like facebook and myspace (no yet a twitter freak though) and I have to say that it is very easy to get wrapped up in online communication. I have many friends that I only talk to online and that in itself is sad. I often feel like I need to ban myself from facebook in order to make sure I actually go out and hangout with these people. I think it's a socially dangerous thing and it's hard to find a happy medium and a health balance.
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Hi CGH,
ReplyDeleteI am just like you in that I cannot truly call someone a friend unless I've met them in person. I've also made "friends" with people who are in my online classes but I wouldn't be able to self-disclose unless I really know who they are.
Although, there are other forms of cyberspace relationship that has recently been created through networking sites like Facebook and Myspace. Through these networking sites, we are able to reconnect with people that we know from a long time ago. Because of these sites, friendships are taken to a new whole level. Friends who did meet in person are now solely friends through these networking site. I will admit that I have also entered into these kinds of relationships. It's just very convenient to keep in touch with friends who I knew when I was little but now live so far away that I cannot see them face to face.
Even though these sites can really help us maintain our friendships, we always have to keep a balance between cyberspace relationships and relationships in person. Keeping a balance will prevent us from being isolated. I agree with you that it is hard to find a happy medium; it takes constant work.
Good post!
Signing out,
Events Dreamer