Oh, so much to say. I have had a few conversations recently about this with a friend who does not understand the idea of having a virtual social life or friendship group. I almost feel too tired to try to 'convince' her or get her to understand. Because you either get it or you don't. You are either open to the new ways of connecting the internet has brought us or you think physical contact somehow legitimises a relationship. "Face to face is more 'real' than e-friendship." Which is a big pile of doggy poo. I am far more honest online than I am in real life with most people.
And my online friends have been such a joy and a source of fun, knowledge, inspiration, understanding..... So many things. I am not good at socialising and I do not make friends easily. But online, so many of my hang-ups don't matter. Who here cares about the way I look or dress or what car I drive or the fact that I have 'failed' to have kids or any of the other ridiculous things that people seem to find so important?
As for fandom, well, some of the most intelligent, interesting, insightful conversations I have had have been connected to an online fandom. And it has brought me into contact with such amazingly wise and talented people. I have learnt more from them in a short time than I have from a lot of the people I have actually met. Last weekend I was on the boards for a tv show, and I laughed like a drain all day over a funny, outrageous and silly thread about an actor we adore. The next day, I was on a thread talking about tv tropes and how the classic notion of the hero's journey in literature translates into the medium of tv. Fandom is not just about being fangirly or superficial. Though that has its place. It can be anything you want, and I wish I knew more people in 'real' life who were so smart and well-read, and willing to talk about something meaningful. I am not sure I want to read someone's ignorant dissection of fandomfail. Why do people get so worked up about online life?
My online life is 'real', too.
And my online friends have been such a joy and a source of fun, knowledge, inspiration, understanding..... So many things. I am not good at socialising and I do not make friends easily. But online, so many of my hang-ups don't matter. Who here cares about the way I look or dress or what car I drive or the fact that I have 'failed' to have kids or any of the other ridiculous things that people seem to find so important?
As for fandom, well, some of the most intelligent, interesting, insightful conversations I have had have been connected to an online fandom. And it has brought me into contact with such amazingly wise and talented people. I have learnt more from them in a short time than I have from a lot of the people I have actually met. Last weekend I was on the boards for a tv show, and I laughed like a drain all day over a funny, outrageous and silly thread about an actor we adore. The next day, I was on a thread talking about tv tropes and how the classic notion of the hero's journey in literature translates into the medium of tv. Fandom is not just about being fangirly or superficial. Though that has its place. It can be anything you want, and I wish I knew more people in 'real' life who were so smart and well-read, and willing to talk about something meaningful. I am not sure I want to read someone's ignorant dissection of fandomfail. Why do people get so worked up about online life?