I think this goes to the heart of the matter. You cannot create community though a pslamic responsive pattern of conversation and without actually meeting people you really aren't creating relationships - though you may be creating something else that has its own distinct benefits:
The isolation of William Wagner didn't happen overnight. In fact, it took decades for his network of close friends to shrink. Bright, outgoing and bristling with big ideas, Wagner nevertheless finds himself at 35 with precious few friends he would consider confidants. "I have one very good friend that I've had for the better part of 10 years, from the navy, and any number of casual acquaintances," says the Toronto filmmaker. The 35-year old is not alone. A study conducted by sociologists at Duke University in North Carolina and the University of Arizona suggests that men are losing close friends thanks to long, demanding work schedules and the pervasive appeal of the Internet.Community includes the nutbar down the road and how you put up with him and so, in not such a different way, does having a circle of friends. Unless you do things regularly actually in meat space, what exactly is it you are doing?
That being said, it does not count for beer blogging. That is all about the big gang.
Comments
Gordo - November 12, 2006 12:54 PM
I've <i>always</i> made a clear distinction between friends and acquaintances. Acquaintances will help you move; a friend will help you move a body.
gr - November 12, 2006 1:52 PM
So gordo, what about the third category, friends with keyboards? I have met a remarkably large number of people, in the flesh, because of Mr Gen X here. It can be effective at widening the world of friendships.
Gordo - November 12, 2006 2:20 PM
Yah, I knew that would come up. Electronic friends are a new phenomenon. But, certainly requiring a distinction in my eyes.
gr - November 12, 2006 3:37 PM
Sure. Except my flesh and blood friends tend to be lousy at keeping up with me, bodies or no bodies, and so this reclusive flake, to use my own term, has been pleasantly surprised at the online meeting of minds. Heck, cm has come over, and gorthos has already spent 1000 bucks on my work. I'll take this new phenomenon.
Marian - November 12, 2006 4:09 PM
I'm in favour of work and against fun.
Flea - November 12, 2006 4:35 PM
Trust me, Alan, internet friendships involve putting up with the nutbar down the road.
Alan - November 12, 2006 5:06 PM
You behave!
Gordo - November 12, 2006 5:50 PM
Good point about flesh and blood friends, Gary. We've fallen out of touch with my best-man and college roommate. He's become a reclusive flake and isn't contacting any of his flaky friends. I have to admit to converting a number of electronic friends to real-world friends. Pre-internet, as well.
cm - November 12, 2006 6:39 PM
I wouldn't have the real in-the-flesh friends I have now if it hadn't been for the virtual friends I had five years ago. They showed me how it's done.
gr - November 12, 2006 6:53 PM
.....and I can speak from the same experience, cm, and we can all agree that Alan's little neighborhood here is especially congenial.
gr - November 12, 2006 6:55 PM
Oh, I am not above, by the way, earning money from my friends, real or electronic. So, gordo, just open the wallet, and shake vigorously in my direction. CM DID!
Gordo - November 12, 2006 7:04 PM
Jeez, Gary. Read your email and you'll see ... :-D
gr - November 12, 2006 8:09 PM
Hope springs eternal....
Gordo - November 12, 2006 8:37 PM
Gary, did you get my messages or what?
gorthos - November 13, 2006 7:01 AM
My "are you human" code was obscene today :)
My community does not include nutbars. Hooray for soylent green!