Virtual Friends
September 17, 2006
I have gone beyond email and have a presence on MySpace and a couple of other such sites. This adds yet another dimension to electronic communication. It adds a photo and a personal profile to the communication process.
I often wonder at the reality of a relationship with someone I’ve met online. How can I say I have a friendship with someone I’ve never met or spoken to? We’ve seen each other’s photos, shared alot of personal information, and “talk” about work and children, and other such things one normally shares with friends.
More puzzling is that I’ve developed emotional ties to some of these people. I actually care about them and their lives, and they mine. Is this not the essence of friendship?
I like these people, and in this hectic world we’ve created for ourselves, it may be the most expedient way to make and develop friendships. So how does this translate in the “real” world? Well, I have, on occasion, met some of these people. It’s somewhat like meeting a familiar stranger. I find that the in-person part of the relationship is almost like starting all over again, and it becomes a different relationship. The only difference is that there is a history, knowledge base and understanding that isn’t the usual first in-person experience. In some ways this is better. But it isn’t a guaranteed translation. I have had a few experiences of having an online, and even a phone relationship with someone that just didn’t translate into a good in-person relationship.
I think the risk with virtual relationships is that we have an idea and an ideal of what this relationship is. This may or may not coincide with the real experience. On the other hand, it has the potential of enhancing the “real” relationship. And that’s what I like to focus on.
I think, as with most experiences, it’s all about perception. So virtual, or in-person; it really depends on what we are presented with and how we perceive it. Just the fact that we are still reaching out and trying to develop relationships keeps my faith that the human in the electronic age is still directing the technology to enhance humanity.
-Mark Cotrupe
