Post by Deleted on May 28, 2018 8:40:04 GMT -5
In another thread, elynne raises a fascinating issue:
I know that I am more likely to reveal more of myself, much faster, online than in the physical world. I'm sure that people who do this are more likely to become close as they reveal and share secrets with each other that they cannot tell their physical friends. There is always the possibility of "ghosting" people online which cannot as easily be done in the real world, meaning that there is less risk to opening up quicker online than in the physical world.
Also, in the physical world the variety of people I meet socially is limited to specific demographics. Online, I can meet and become friends with a much wider variety of people, most of whom I would never even run into in my "real "life. And when going to groups with people who have similar interests or challenges, there is a bond that makes it easier to be yourself that doesn't exist in the real world except for specific interest groups that actually do meet in person (lectures, exercise, meetups.)
Two of my online relationships transitioned into becoming very deep and indeed physical, but that would never have happened in the physical world only.
Studies indicate the people who met online have happier and more enduring marriages than those who didn't. (https://news.uchicago.edu/article/2013/06/03/meeting-online-leads-happier-more-enduring-marriages)
So I'm not sure if the question is one of either/or. Online friendships and relationships can be as deep and intimate as many physical ones, or they can transition into physical ones. Likewise, being online can keep physical relationships closer when they go long distance. But the differences between them are that online relationships can affect people who would seem to have nothing in common in the physical world, they can reach intimacy much faster than those in the physical world. I think that is is easier to have lots of friends of different types online than in the physical world.
In the end, though, virtual sex is never going to be as satisfying as the real thing.
I’m currently thinking about modern society, how technology affects our culture and relationships and how to describe these impacts in the visual medium of classical painting.
Are we truly less deeply connected? Or is it possible that our digital relationships allow us freedom to be completely honest, to connect with people who are geographically farther away but who are living parallel lives. Who get our struggles, who get us.
I’ve found such an amazing amount of kindness, care, support and advice here. I’ve cried reading posts. I’ve felt other’s pain. I’ve hurt for other’s hurts. I’ve learned about myself as I see others walking a similar path. I think of the regulars here as friends. Real friends. I can read a post and know exactly who wrote it without reading the screen name.
Are we truly less deeply connected? Or is it possible that our digital relationships allow us freedom to be completely honest, to connect with people who are geographically farther away but who are living parallel lives. Who get our struggles, who get us.
I’ve found such an amazing amount of kindness, care, support and advice here. I’ve cried reading posts. I’ve felt other’s pain. I’ve hurt for other’s hurts. I’ve learned about myself as I see others walking a similar path. I think of the regulars here as friends. Real friends. I can read a post and know exactly who wrote it without reading the screen name.
Also, in the physical world the variety of people I meet socially is limited to specific demographics. Online, I can meet and become friends with a much wider variety of people, most of whom I would never even run into in my "real "life. And when going to groups with people who have similar interests or challenges, there is a bond that makes it easier to be yourself that doesn't exist in the real world except for specific interest groups that actually do meet in person (lectures, exercise, meetups.)
Two of my online relationships transitioned into becoming very deep and indeed physical, but that would never have happened in the physical world only.
Studies indicate the people who met online have happier and more enduring marriages than those who didn't. (https://news.uchicago.edu/article/2013/06/03/meeting-online-leads-happier-more-enduring-marriages)
So I'm not sure if the question is one of either/or. Online friendships and relationships can be as deep and intimate as many physical ones, or they can transition into physical ones. Likewise, being online can keep physical relationships closer when they go long distance. But the differences between them are that online relationships can affect people who would seem to have nothing in common in the physical world, they can reach intimacy much faster than those in the physical world. I think that is is easier to have lots of friends of different types online than in the physical world.
In the end, though, virtual sex is never going to be as satisfying as the real thing.
