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Internet Friends
69 replies
178 days old
last post: Jun 19, 2020
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Internet Friends

14 Name: Anonymous : 2019-12-29 14:23
>>10
I think you have an interesting point here, but I'd like to propose a counterargument. It's somewhat funny this will take place in the "letterbox" because that lies at the core of what I'd like to try to say.
I don't think the concept of what an "online friend" actually is, is altogether new. In fact, I think when taken in certain ways it’s an incredibly old sort of friendship. What are dear friends trading correspondence via letters over weeks and weeks and years and years any more or less than what we now do, only slower? There were generally likely some shared experiences in the real world prior (barring those that became known to each other via means like being published publicly and written to), but the tradeoff is far slower methods of communication over having had a root to the relationship in "real" life. Even if the relationship started in “real” life decades ago, does that really count for those that continued to trade letters into late years, with no plans to meet again? There are countless examples through the years of what appear to be close relationships conducted purely through written communication. I do not see why the communication found in forms of online communication are so different, and why the bonds of friendship can't be kept alive through them.
In fact, in terms of means, I can think of examples at least a hundred years old for every standard method of communication we now enjoy.

IMs, text -> morse code
Voice chat -> phone calls
email -> letters

All of these, to me, are legitimate methods that friendships were kept alive, people use the means available to them to reach out to each other. They are living their lives apart from these things, but it’s possible to do that and allow yourself a little corner to cultivate a friendship like this. I do not think that words and lived experience are the same, but I think you greatly discount the power of the written word. I think there is far more to being able to state “I love you” and mean it, even when spoken. In the negative case, is there any difference to someone who will two-facedly proclaim their love in person? Why would that change anything other than maybe having a better chance of figuring out their lies? It surely must be possible to get feelings across properly within writing as well, I'll allow that it might take significantly more thought and effort, but those are in fact luxuries and strengths inherent in asynchronous communication, not defects.
That said I realize there is a world of difference between these sort of bulletin boards and attempting to forge a true connection with a single person. I suppose it’s possible I would mistake you for me, but just merely from this I wouldn’t mistake what we shared here for friendship.

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