I had classes like this when I was in college a decade ago, at the "dawn" of the mainstreaming of the internet, and the articles you describe sound like they were written about that time, because it was true then even if it has changed a lot. The popular perception of the internet as a geekboy haven haven't really advanced, however.
And you are bang on about the internet actually making it easier to connect with people on a personal level because of the lack of physical distractions and encumbrances of distance. I've met many people over the internet whom I consider close friends even though I've never met them in person. But the relationship that means most to me in this life is the one I have with my husband. We met on Usenet in 1993. He was in New Zealand and I was in Portland, Oregon. In person, we're both very shy, introverted people, but the electronic medium gave us the freedom to get to know each other and fall in love. And we just celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary, so I can attest that it is definitely possible to make a lasting relationship out of such beginnings.
The thing is, you hardly hear about the positive connections that people make here. You usually only hear about the sickos pretending to be young girls but are 40-year old men or whatnot. And why is that? Because the news media has its priorities all skewed and "if it bleeds, it leads".
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(no subject)
Date: 2003-04-09 01:41 pm (UTC)And you are bang on about the internet actually making it easier to connect with people on a personal level because of the lack of physical distractions and encumbrances of distance. I've met many people over the internet whom I consider close friends even though I've never met them in person. But the relationship that means most to me in this life is the one I have with my husband. We met on Usenet in 1993. He was in New Zealand and I was in Portland, Oregon. In person, we're both very shy, introverted people, but the electronic medium gave us the freedom to get to know each other and fall in love. And we just celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary, so I can attest that it is definitely possible to make a lasting relationship out of such beginnings.
The thing is, you hardly hear about the positive connections that people make here. You usually only hear about the sickos pretending to be young girls but are 40-year old men or whatnot. And why is that? Because the news media has its priorities all skewed and "if it bleeds, it leads".
Anyway, sorry to blather on in your comments.