tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11838465.post2496049789945293824..comments2024-02-24T18:30:26.749-07:00Comments on prairiemary: A FRIEND IS NOT A LEGOUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11838465.post-32317621132013314312010-02-17T07:28:26.952-07:002010-02-17T07:28:26.952-07:00I have met some people only through the Internet, ...I have met some people only through the Internet, like you Mary. These Network friends are sustained if there is sympatico in interests, we "click," and often if there is no one in real life with whom I can discuss such things. For me, Mary, it was writing that I could talk about with you, as there is no one in my current mode that I can talk about writing in depth with. Montana, Blackfeet and art stuff was a plus. And then our sensibilities were often very similar. So this works pretty good.<br /><br />In sociology (I teach it sometimes at a local community college), a "network" is defined as "a web of weak social ties."<br /><br />I have noticed -FOR ME- that just because I get along with people in "real life" doesn't always translate to a good Internet buddy, and vice versa. I sometimes dread the possibility of meeting in "real life" someone I know from the Internet, because sometimes that screws the friendship up. It doesn't always translate, for me anyways.<br /><br />But really it depends on your definition of "friend." People have different criteria for what they call "a friend." For some, it is somebody they can have a beer with and say "hi" to if you see them on the street. For others, it is a Damon and Pythias level that is required before you apply the term "friend."Lance M. Fosterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17404310713482611952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11838465.post-65125050615855291192010-02-17T07:19:51.917-07:002010-02-17T07:19:51.917-07:00I just like meeting people, BS'ing with them a...I just like meeting people, BS'ing with them about stuff. The more the merrier.<br /><br />Now I love my family. I talk with them about a bunch of stuff, and each member I have different stuff I talk about with. Of course there is crossover, but for certain things, certain people are more enjoyable talking with, because we "get" each other. If I want to talk about Indian ways or societal collapse and such, I talk to my Dad. If I want to reminisce about going out in the woods or animals I talk to one brother. If I want to talk about world travel, I talk to my other brother. My Mom I talk with about food or enduring hard times. And so on, with my wife (politics and shared humor), my two sisters (anthropology and school for the one, and alternative health and jokes with the other one).<br /><br />I have moved so much, I don't have too many friends here. I keep the friends I can through Facebook and such. We don't talk that much, but if I want to talk about Hawaii, my buddy Kai I knew there is the guy to message on Facebook. But these are flesh and blood friendships that are maintained (on life support) through social networking that otherwise would be moribund.<br /> (ct'd)Lance M. Fosterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17404310713482611952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11838465.post-88045406756833402642010-02-16T11:34:35.958-07:002010-02-16T11:34:35.958-07:00Brad, I've asked a teen boy who lives on Faceb...Brad, I've asked a teen boy who lives on Facebook to write a refutation. If he does, I'll post it here.<br /><br />Prairie MaryMary Strachan Scriverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00538160009129822362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11838465.post-49513136113228856352010-02-16T11:23:12.800-07:002010-02-16T11:23:12.800-07:00Mary, you make a great case against cyber friendin...Mary, you make a great case against cyber friending. Does 'fan' work? Not in the sense of fawning and stalking, but in the sense of, hey, I like your work. For that, I thank the internet that makes it possible.Brad Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15639445421909917788noreply@blogger.com