Weekend Assignment: It's A Small Web (After All)
Fresh when it gets here from
Julie Barrett
Friday, March 13, 2009
In
the online world, the word "friend" has become a verb. We "friend" or
we "follow" people on social media sites and blogs, often forming
casual connections with people we would be unlikely ever to meet face
to face. Do you extend your arms wide to the online world, collecting
lots of online acquaintances, or limit your web interactions mostly to
"real" friends?
For me, it depends on the situation. On places like Twitter and FriendFeed,
I'm following (and am followed by) people from all around the world.
Just yesterday I exchanged "tweets" with someone in the UK about the
Manchester United match that was going on at the time. I'm more careful
on Facebook, where I tend to follow and "friend" real-life friends and
professional contacts, though I've made a few exceptions. Linkedin is
generally for contacts I know.
I have mixed feelings about
Facebook. I suspect it's because I know it can be come a bit time
vacuum, and I honestly don't need that right now. I have a mere 78
friends, which should make me feel like a social loser, but for some
reason it makes me feel pretty good.
On the other hand...
Extra Credit: Have you had much online interaction with people from other countries?
Yes,
stretching back 25 years or more. We were on the original ARPAnet,
which was the precursor to the Internet. Back in the days of Quantum
Leap fandom, we had a worldwide online network going. It was pretty
cool. The worldwide fandom networks continue today. In fact, I was in a
chat with people from literally all over the world preparing for an
event associated with the Quantum Leap convention in a couple of weeks.
We had a great time online today, and I can't wait to meet everyone in
a couple of weeks.
Tags: Weekend Assignment
Filed under: Weekend Assignment
Comments are closed
Karen Funk Blocher said:
The idea of Leapers from around the world still connecting online warms my heart, even if I stay away. Ah, the memories!
Date: 3/13/2009 10:33:46 PM
Date: 3/13/2009 10:33:46 PM
Karen Funk Blocher said:
The idea of Leapers from around the world still connecting online warms my heart, even if I stay away. Ah, the memories!
Date: 3/13/2009 10:33:46 PM
Date: 3/13/2009 10:33:46 PM
|