<somewhat off topic>
Virtual Reality is a manifestation of what we have come to know as the internet and the new model for communicating and possessing the information technology. One can easily sit by his key board and PC monitor (soon to be a NC, or a Web TV) and to talk to anyone, anywhere in any from or shape as he/she pleases to do so. This is what I call virtual friendship!
When I go to SI threads I sense that each thread has its own unique characteristics. People on every thread are familiar with one another and it is as if it is one society with each member knowing the next member in person! It is as if each thread provides a sense of belonging for its participants.
I was going through various posts since about 2 months ago to look for an article that was posted here and was truly amazed as the level of info that is provided in addition to mixing that info with feelings, and emotions. There were comments of sarcasm, to those of expressing anger, to appreciation, and to just good old plain chit-chat! And then I got to think what would happen if all of us participating on each thread come together and for example have a big picnic somewhere! We then would come to truly see each other and find out who for example we all are, from twister, Robert, and StockMan (if they are indeed 3 different individuals and not one), to myself, Charles, Sonki, Sethil, Mephisto,..... The thought truly made me wonder. On one hand this virtual friendhip is great since after all it is sort of like a strong friendhip with all of us, whether we do agree with each other's opinion or strongly disagree, share our thoughts and therefore establish the basic human needs of communication. And on the other hand this virtual friendship sometimes gets out of hand since after all none of us see each other in person and therefore we can say or do anything we want to (it is similar to driving. If for example someone who is driving a Mercedez passes someone who is driving a huge truck, he/she can simply flip up his finger for the truck driver! However if the same 2 people were standing in line at a cashier next to one another looking at each other, the guy with the Mercedez will never dare try to flip his finger up to the other guy - especially if that other guy has huge musceles in his arms!).
The point is just think for a second what would happen if we all could see each other as we sit before the key board to type what we are about to express. Would we still have the same tone if we were to see each other in person?!
Anyway, it is about mid-night, have been at work since 6:30AM today, and am about to go home, but just thought to state what I stated above. So if it does not make sense please accept my apology for which I am tired, and if it does make sense a little, lets be a bit more gentle to those who may not neccessarily agree with our opinions (e.g. twister, etc., and vise versa). Virtual Friendship really is not that much different from Real Friendship!
Regards,
Addi Jamshidi |
