It's Conversation, Not Friendship That Social Networks Are Changing

I wrote up my opinion on the whole thing here http://www.winextra.com/2007/08/28/the-devaluation-of-friendship/

How interesting - I read Anne Truitt Zelenka's post this morning, and now I've found yours.

My on-line friendships are precious to me. I read this line in your article - "it's got a lot in common with the days when people viewed total strangers as brothers and sisters" - and found myself smiling and nodding in agreement.

I've spoken on the phone with some of my on-line friends; others are purely on-line buddies. We share information, provide support during rough times (and cheers when things go well), and give each other a sounding board for new ideas. When my mom died (which I noted in my blog), I was touched by the response from on-line friends and acquaintances.

thanks for being our friend:)

These cyber or online "relationships" we have are interesting. I feel I "know" almost as many people online as I do offline, in the real world.

While, from what I do know of many of these people, I'm sure I'd like them offline as well, but I don't really know most of them. However, since human nature is to give the benefit of doubt, I do count these people in a special "online friends" category. (Sorry for all the """"""".)

Like anything, we have to be careful of who we socialize with -- online and offline.

As you noted, B.L., "kindred spirits recognize each other no matter what the medium." And, blogs and the like simply allow more opportunity for kindred spirits to find each other.

We just have to be careful not to go crazy over all the "friends" we think we have.
-- Mike

After being a stay at home mom for 14 years and finally heading back into the workplace, I welcome the online friends I have made.

To be able to network and support while being productive at the same time beats playgroup and McDonalds any day.

Don't get me wrong, I love being a mom but my brain has missed the intellectual interaction and the internet makes it more possible than ever.

This is an interesting topic. Your post made me think of a blog post I read elsewhere earlier about the shift in consumer behaviour, from being retailer-led to more consumer-led, with the empahasis on the customer getting what they want rather than being persuaded by a company into buying something.

This shift can be seen in the rise of 'social shopping' sites (eg www.crowdstorm.com). I was reminded of this while reading your post because it seems to me to be another way the internet has changed the way we communicate with others: large scale communities of people we don't know affecting the things we do definitely has parallels with the large social networking sites.

Great blog!

What a heartwarming post. I really enjoyed reading it. I agree with you. Internet friendships are special. They allow those who may not have the opportunity to meet in person communicate and bond on a level that extends physical boundaries.

Through the internet, social networks, and even a little grammar error I have met people who continue to make me a better person in both my business and my personal life.