It's not that I dislike new technological ideas, but it's that I didn't have time to explore them. I still don't have time, but I changed some priorities. (I still can't get my blog to do some things I want it to do and my Transitional-Woman Facebook page needs a lot of help. However, these are tales for another time.)
Today's focus is the world of virtual friends. We were all suspicious of online forums in the early days, thinking they were full of stalkers and weirdos. But as I was obliviously rushing through life these somehow became legitimate places on the web.
Last year, when we finally got WiFi, I started exploring this land with a vengeance and soon became part of many, many groups connecting me to nice strangers who shared the same interests I have.
It didn't take me long to realize that I could not keep up with all of these groups and still stay connected with the flesh and blood world. So I whittled down my list to a few groups and have found myself amazed that I am friends with strangers.
We share our love for our hobbies, we know each others kids names, we share spiritual lessons learned, we know each others birthdays and we sometimes confess our foibles and sins. Just like Real Friends.
My family was amused by my growing circle of virtual friends. As I shared this and that about their lives, my kids got this little, "Oh isn't Mama cute," look on their faces and my husband smiled at me indulgently as he often does. But I've come to realize these women are no different than the penpals that people used to have in bygone days.
My virtual friends are slowly becoming real friends. We share our concerns and pray for each other. We keep up with the events in each others lives and grow concerned when we don't hear from each other for a while. If that's not real friendship, what is?
What do you think about virtual friends. Are they as real as real friends?
Image source
QUITE interesting, in that, I was speaking about this very thing to 2 different Local Friends the past 2 days, My Dear Virtual Friend! ;-} I was sooooo apprehensive about beginning the Cyberspace/blogging 'learning curve' with Tanya at Blogelina - and through that I found You, Katie, Meredith and Ashley - and then on to Others that You All have introduced me to!! My 'tiny, empty world' Here has expanded and I've learned soooo much these past months! Thank You - All of You! (BTW - I've contacted several bloggers from the eMail You had sent me on Sat. - TY! - Just have been BUZZY with the 2 Events I'm working on for the 11th/12th and haven't written You...)
ReplyDeleteHuggggzzz - ;-}
(P.S. - Cute photo!)
Getting to know you and the other women in our Blogging Buddies group has been one of the unexpected blessings of becoming a blogger. I feel affirmed, supported and encouraged by all of you.
DeleteI think we have to limit ourselves to the amount of time we spend with 'virtual' people. After all, these people aren't 'real' in a face to face context and we might rely on computer 'friends' too much, rather than going out and enjoying the weather, nature, our own company and the REAL company of others.
ReplyDeleteBex
www.leavingcairo.blogspot.com
I agree, finding the right balance between my 'virtual life' and my 'real life' has been tricky.
DeleteHi, Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteNice to visit your blog! Dropping in from the A-Z Challenge!
I was really touched by your post!
I'm a member of several chat sites and I started blogging this last year! It's been a wonderful experience for me on both counts!
I think it's great to connect with people on line that you have similar interest with/things
in common!
The virtual experience has its pro's and con's. People tend to feel more liberated in virtual reality than they do in person; which could be a pro or a con; depends if you ever meet them face to face or not.
In regards to your question:
What do you think about virtual friends. Are they as real as real friends?
I've found conversation wise- that conversing with friends/people in virtual reality is far more exciting, stimulating and enjoyable than I've ever found with people outside of virtual reality!
Communicating and conversing in virtual reality is rewarding and beneficial in so many ways!
Hope you will stop by my blog!
http://bettyalark.blogspot.com
Great input. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about this. I have always found it easier to express myself with the written word that the spoken word which is why online friendships have become so meaningful to me.
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ReplyDeleteIf it were not for my online friends, I would have no friends at all. The world has gotten to busy, and those that connect online take time to nourish friendships through computers, and those are the friendships that seem to last. I believe that is why we have "friends" across the land, water and oceans, we take time, something we no longer do in person.
ReplyDeleteYou are right. The world is too busy. I have been trying to meet with my two prayers partners for months but we have to keep cancelling because one or another of us has some other commitment arise.
DeleteI, too, love the benefit of getting to know people from other parts of the country and the world, but feel like I have to keep striving to connect with the flesh and blood people around me.
I think that in the blogging world, fellow bloggers are a great support system, and that can eventually lead to actual friendships. I know that in the days of online poker, I met some of my best friends through the poker forums, and a bunch of us lived together for the summer.
ReplyDeletePoker buddies for you, knitting buddies for me. There's something for everyone out there.
DeleteFirst off: That Vocaloid doll is precious in that picture.
ReplyDeleteOkay on to the topic:
I love my virtual friends/penpals. I usually call them penpals or friends. They're just as real as the relationships you make offline, you know? I have two friends that I've met online and we've known each other for a good 5 years or so. Even if we can't talk to each other for months because we're busy, we're always forgiving. And my online friends always seem to be more understanding than my offline friends for whatever reason. In a perfect world, we'd live in the same neighborhood, but as of yet we still haven't met offline. We want to, though! Problem is planning it out.
Virtual friends are kind of cool. I have a few I have never ever seen and we get along well. It occurs to me that V friends are like a make believe world where none of life's usual things happen, people whining at you, borrowing things, crashing your car, etc. Ergo, it is akin to an escape to another world. I am not heavily engaged in it save for some social media sites.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, it some ways our virtual friends are very low maintenance. That can be kind of nice sometimes.
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