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The Internet is a funny place. When I started blogging, I never imagined that I would actually MEET people on the Internet. I never thought I would email with people, or carry on a dialogue. I certainly never thought I'd make friends on the Internet. I thought it would be a fun journal-type thing to keep.
The truth is, though, it has been so much nicer than that. In an email conversation today with a friend I met blogging, she commented that it is so funny that you can email with someone and realize that if you met in 'real life' you'd be fast friends. And its true! The irony about meeting people through blogging is that even though you haven't met in person, you've often been privy to many of their private thoughts or feelings. Sure, there is plenty about their real life that you don't know, but I believe there are also many things about their private life that people they see daily don't know. So when you email with someone whose blog you have read, you actually know quite a bit about that person. Selective bits, but still a good amount.
The other day a friend met through 'real life law school' emailed me this article from the BBC about the importance of friendships. Apparently this study in Australia has discovered what many bloggers (and other people) have already realized. Friends make you live longer. Friends are positive and happy influences in your lives and they encourage you to stay healthy and well. Friends can be far closer and more influential on your life than your own family.
Perhaps this is why internet trolls can be so hurtful, even though it is 'just the internet'. People don't normally walk up to you on the street and spout hurtful or rude things to your face. But under the veil of an IP address, people are willing to be outrageous and crazy.
The good news is that since your friends will help you live longer, and I believe this includes your blogging friends, it is all worth it in the end.
Maybe we should make t-shirts that say "Writing nasty comments on people's blogs shortens your life span, so stay away!"
Friday, June 17, 2005
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2 comments:
In blogging, you can delete evil trolls and prevent them from making further comments. I wish it was that easy in life!
It's been so fun making bloggy friends!
Hi there! I found you from Finslippy's site.
I too am an animal lover who is married to the love of my life. I was living in Boston for five years and moved (back) to Manhattan about a year ago.
Great post. The trolls suck.
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