Categories: uncategorized
Date: 18 March 2006 10:46:55
It's such a powerful thing. I still find it really strange in many ways.
Socks and I were talking last night about the people who I've 'met' online, some of whom I now consider to be really good friends. Some I've met IRL, some I haven't. But we were talking about the fact that some (if not most) are people who I doubt very much I would become friends with if I came across them IRL first. When 'talking' online you seem to find out more about the 'real' person. Although I guess that works both ways cos you can make up an online persona. But most people I've 'met' through The Ship where people (I think) do seem to be themselves. You don't make the same sort of judgements (intentional or not) about people by what they look like.
But it scares me too. I've only just read the rest of the thread about Curious Buddist. I knew she was ill, but last I'd read things seemed to be on the up. But I've just read the whole of the thread and associated blogs and she died. And it's all just so powerful and emotional to read. Which is so bizarre really. This is someone who I'd read a few posts of and 'seen' about, yet that she's died has really got to me.
And when Gambit died, there were similar thoughts / feelings. I remember meeting Gambit, but again, I didn't really 'know' him. But also knowing other people who were close to him and affected more by his death. I just find it all so strange this whole world that I 'live' in, but which isn't 'real' to people who don't do online communities.
I mean, how do you explain to someone that you're sad because someone you knew in text has died, or that you're happy because someone you know in text is getting married or having a baby. When Fool of a Took had her baby, it was so so exciting and I was waiting for the news and to hear that they were both ok and stuff. But I've never met her, or even talked to her IRL. I've only msn'd and PM'd her and read her posts. It's just a whole 'nother world. And to make it even more surreal, I often don't know peoples real names, or even if I do, I tend to use their online names.
I don't think I've explained this very well... but I know what I mean, and I just find it all so so so weird. I feel more emotionally attached to some online people than I do to some people I know IRL. What's that about?