A friend and I were discussing blogging the other day. My friend is not overly fond of technology and uses computers for work rather than relaxation. She could not understand how I could call someone that I have never met a friend. I thought about this over the last couple days and started to wonder about it too. I think that you can get a good idea about a person from comments, emails & web pages. Over many months (or in some cases years) I truly do believe that you can call yourselves friends. I have one cyber friend that I have been conversing with over the last year or more almost daily and I KNOW, without a doubt, that we will get along famously - as friends - when I do get to spend actual time with her. There are folks who read my blog and always leave comments - they make my day! I thought for a time it was an egotistical pleasure but have realized now that it is because I have come to consider these "regulars" to be friends - I enjoy their comments and I enjoy looking at their blogs as well. Yes, I DO think you can get a pretty good idea of whether these people would be "real" friends. I told my friend that I consider blogging the new "pen pals". How many of us, I wonder, remember having pen pals when we were young? I had a pen pal from Britain. I don't remember her name - nor how long we wrote back and forth - but I do remember the pleasure I got from seeing those air mail envelopes in the mail box and the anticipation I felt waiting for the next letter ... now it just all happens faster - I look forward to comments & email with the same anticipation! Thanks to all of my "Cyber" friends - I know, that if the distances were not so great, that we would enjoy each other's company as "real" friends! Blog On !
15 comments:
I agree with you 100%! I have had the pleasure of meeting several blog friends this year and can honestly say that personalities do come across accurately in blogs and online communities. The people that I thought I would bond with, I did. I have met some dear friends through my blog and I would be very sad to think that I could not call them "real friends".
I'd add that although bloggers may be very distant from each other in term of miles, they share the same interests, and in that way, they may be closer to you than your neighbour.
Have a nice week.
I had a pen pal when I was young. Too young to ever write anything meaningful back & forth. Instead, we sent "things" in the same metal cigar can. Colored marbles. ribbons. gum. magazine cutouts. That can made the round trip between our states many times. I still remember her name and hometown all these years past.
Now we send each other "things" via the web.
DebL
I totally agree that we can call them friends. Occasionally I say "online friend" when I'm speaking to someone who's not very puter oriented.
I've met a few over the years, and it's rare that we don't bond. I'd say that bloggers and other online contacts open up MORE on the screen over time than meeting someone new face to face in a few meetings.
There is magic in long-distance friendships. They let you relate to other human beings in a way that goes beyond being physically together and is often more profound. ~Diana Cortes
And it's true...
Yes the commenters are definitely friends. The little notes back and forth are so much more fulfilling than the long wait for the pen pal letters (yes I had lots of pen pals). This way we have found people from all over the world who think like we do about art and fiber. How many of your neighbors understand your passion? It is so great to talk to a friend who understands you.
Hi Marie, I agree with your thoughts, sometimes it is difficult for me to say all my thoughts in a foreign language - but I agree with you, we can be friends.
My son had a cyber friend for ten years and they met face to face this year. He said it was like they had been close friends for ten years once they got over the friend being so tall and my son so short. Lol. Same as being friends in the same physical space.
I agree. The pen pal analogy, I think, is espcially fitting.
ANYTHING is possible because of the net. I met my husband thru the net and he proposed before we met. We learned the art of communication, imagine that!
How else can you explain someone who gives you friendship over the net but as a "friend". Gets pretty akward to saying, "This girl, who's blog I read, well..she said..blah, blah!"
Your friend,
Fitzy
Yes cyberfriends can be friends too - I feel I've met some really worthwhile friends through blogging and internet groups - including yourself of course!
i am glad to see other people feel the same as i do... sometimes i feel a little awkward when people act like i'm crazy to talk about these people that i DO NOT KNOW in person yet have time to read about THEIR lives.... they ask, "who cares, you don't know them personally, they could be totally lying".. i get sick of that comment after a while... because I DO CARE.. i love to read about how other people are living in other parts of this world.. and i do care about what others have to say, i love learning new things, seeing new places, commenting on other blogs and reading what people have to say on mine.. it all means something to me, and i'm happy i started blogging... i do not see an end in sight! take care and BLOG ON PEOPLE! here's to you!
I often think of that day we shared a cab ride to the mall in Houston, and I count it as one of my lucky days! I've enjoyed getting to know you via the internet, and I truly believe we'll see each other again one day. In the meantime, I enjoy reading about what you're up to on your blog! :-)
Marie, I am glad if you call me a friend! I am also so glad when I got comments! sometimes I think the blogging and reading takes to much time from me, and wonder why am I doing this??? But all the inspiration from you and my others blogfriends give me is so wonderful!
we would never have met in person if it wasn't for the internet and I am thrilled to be able to call you a friend.
Lisa in Sydney
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