I just thought that originally that a virtual communites were something that you and a friend shared an interest in but Wilson goes into it further by how we share our political beliefs in cyberspace...just like how we have links to political literacies in or on the web. I know that I as a individual enjoy being able to vote and have a say in what my government my state on the news or in laws even though my say (I feel) really does not make much of a difference. This I believe may be shared with others but who knows. The virtual feel of cyberspace has not attracted me. Not even now. I have to put a limit to how much free space I put on my communities....
For example, I had to change my banking but I wanted nothing to do with it on line, because of all the hackers out there in that 'virtural world' and community of bankers. You see Had to is the key. I am an one on one kind of person....
Believe you me I have been in the addiction of cyberspace and almost lost my job because of me being what we call in the 'past' a Tube a holic. So the web is familiar territory, and I have learned my limits.
You will find your balance. You were too far on one side and now you are far on another. Many of us are that are in the technical fields. It's not only a our job but many times its a hobby and the technical aspect can't be turned off. But knowing your limits is much about knowing yourself and that is a victory in my book.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post. And like you..I too assumed a virtual community was something me and a friend had an interest in...but reading Wilsons take on a virtual community it really opened my eyes and made me realize theres more to it then that...And I definitly feel the same way about online banking...theres soo many pros and cons to doing things online...unfortunatly sometimes the cons outweigh the pros!
ReplyDeleteA general definition would be that a virtual community is a community that is enacted primarily online, that has some of the same fundamental rules and norms of a community in a physical space, but is _not_ simply an extension of group in a physical space that happens to use electronic tools for communication. Online banking, for example, is a tool. With regards to your account, only ever used by you. Not a community. Is there in general a "community of users" who bank online? Sure. Are you in any way related to them such that you form a community yourselves? Not so much.
ReplyDeleteSometimes the virtual world reminds me of new technology. You grab a hold of it with the greatest enthusiasm hoping to master something with no boundaries. It is addictive and yet there is no one to through a life line when we need it the most. I watched CNN 24/7 as the first war was piped live into my living room, and did not sleep for 2 days. What suffered were my homework, my social life, and my state of being. It is hard to discern how to use the virtual world at times. Defining what you’re wanting is a good start. It has helped me…
ReplyDeleteI understand finding the balance. For me, staying out of many virtual communities is an extension of my effort to concentrate on things in the moment. Most online communities involve asynchronous communication. In one of my other classes we just finished a book about mindfullness. One chapter was about being in the moment, and having one-pointed attention. I find that when I start getting too involved in the virtual world I get distracted while doing other activities. I think it would be possible to set aside chunks of time specifically for the virtual world though, and in a sense enjoy "the best of both worlds."
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