Thursday, February 26, 2009

Here's what I love about the Internet

In real life, I would never have met a cop in Arizona, or a prison guard somewhere in Missouri, or an ex-jailbird in Kansas City who sometimes gets writer's block. Or a guy who makes his living in television, or a lady who works in advertising.

Never would I have crossed paths with some Russian Jew in Kansas City. I'm not the type to hobnob with a doctor's wife who winters in Arizona; or for that matter, Muslims or writer/musicians in Texas.

I always steered clear of ladies who worked in HR at any place of business. They are the enemy, right?

And some stranger in Oregon? I don't even have a clue how I ended up talking to him!

That's the wonder of the Internet: Class barriers are meaningless here. It's safe, as long as you know how to use some discretion.

I won't even mention the gays and lesbians I've met through blogs; I just don't have opportunity to get out and meet a huge mix of people (not to mention that I'm a hermit) in my everyday life; geesh, I don't even drive. But here on the Internet? You bet! Can you believe they're all just as ordinary (maybe more so) as you and I?

Ninety percent of the blogs I read are written by folks I'd expect to meet in real life; we share common ground, and travel in the same sorts of circles. But those I've mentioned here? NEVER in a million years would I have expected to have verbal exchanges with them.

I'm not talking about blogs like Pioneer Woman, whose readership numbers in the thousands. I'm talking about people on whose blogs I comment, and who comment back from time to time, or at least peek at my blog.

Is this not amazing? Barriers fall down on the Internet. Wouldn't it be lovely if the real world were like that? If we could just sit down and have discussions without preconceived notions getting in the way?

Perhaps all of us are not so very different after all.

14 comments:

  1. It would be lovely if the outside world would be that way.

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  2. I think I would have said this just as you did. The internet has made life so much more interesting, by connecting me to people I consider myself lucky to know. Like you :)

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  3. Isn't this the truth! Although my readership seems to have settled in at mostly mothers, a couple grandmothers, and one odd fellow who makes a lot of BBQ meats. ;)

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  4. Without the internet I would have never met YOU!
    thanks for being yourself Donna.
    loopy

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  5. You are so right ! I love the internet and have found friends I wouldn't have know other wise. I've seen parts of the world that I wouldn't have seen either. I guess you'd call it armchair travels. It's wonderful. 'On Ya'-ma

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  6. Anonymous7:37 AM

    We found one another through Mel.

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  7. Anonymous8:03 AM

    I also love the internet! Blogs have led me all over the world. I have read and commented on so many! This month I was especially reading my favorite Austrailian blogs, during and after the fires. So much devestation! And brought up close and personal by the blogs.

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  8. That's part of what I love about my job. I go into people's homes that vary from mansions, to studio apts. We are so alike in so many ways. It's amazing.
    Great entry!
    PS...you forgot the Hospice RN...uh HELLO??? LOL

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  9. Yep, this is good. The internet allows us NOT TO SEE first but to get to know one first. Many blogs I visit have no pic of the blogger, but I am content to visit and learn and get to know them anyhoo.

    You know what makes blogging work? The realness of the writer.

    Have a great weekend!
    Jennifer

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  10. yes I agree with you and also love seeing the pictures of places I will never see taken by blog people that tell it like it is... I love my computer!

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  11. I seriously want to make a road trip after I retire and stop in all the little towns and say "HI" to everyone. Have lunch, see the sights, get arrested.

    It could work.

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  12. Donna, I will never forget when we met. I hope we can get together when I return from Arizona. I can say, you are a treasure (and one heck of) a woman. I always learn so much from you. I like riding alone with you and Blue and watching your viedos and learning what Cliff has been up to. Your recipes are always delicious. You have a great outlook on life. Yep......you're a keeper! Anne

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  13. Great post Donna and so true! I have some amazing friends here that I'd love to meet in person some day! It's such fun and a great community! Blessings, Lisa

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  14. Amen. Well said.

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