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rockerlizz |
01:21pm Apr 2, 2007 EST |
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Are friends from the internet less valuable than those in real life? A lot of people question this, but as for my opinion I don't think there's anything to compare. The location, time, or place you meet a person shouldn't matter in a friendship, or in any other relationship. I, for one have experienced many internet friends, and from what I observe it's all the same. We go through struggles, disagreements, pain.. But, we also experience happiness, comfort, and fun.
Yes, the internet can count as a 'danger zone', but to some point, anything can be dangerous. Somebody might lie and say who they are, but people can also lie to your face. Somebody can never come online to talk to you anymore, but in real life we all lose someone, too. You see, the point is that just because a friend might be through a screen.. Doesn't mean the relationship shouldn't exist. As a matter of fact, most of the best friends I've ever had are from the internet. We've gone through so much together, and know external and internal conflicts of our lives, etc. We learn from each other and each other's experiences, and I admit I have learned more than I ever have in real life.
So, no matter how you feel about having friends on the internet, appreciate the friendship you're in, because what most people don't seem to realize is what they actually have. Besides, this is the internet right now. And I don't see why me, or any of you on this site couldn't be friends. =]
-Lizz. |
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Cyric |
01:44pm Apr 2, 2007 EST |
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My Expereince with E-Friends.
Since about 5-6th grade, I've really been into internet.
Specifically in chats from time Msn chat was free (yeah back in '00) To sites like TIDNI to Yahoo and Myspace chats. I must say, compared to my real life, If it wasn't for these services I wouldn't of known a 100th of what I do about different walks of life.
What has my E-friends done for me in over years.
*Well many were ladies, and I've always been kind of guy to listen, so it's given me ample amount of knowledge on womens issues, to make me be a better friend for those in real life and over internet. Yes, I say Real Life, I say this because, that unless I really talk to some alot like i do with a few of my friends, i don't honeslty acknowledge their existance much more then screen name.
*It's given me a way to Vent to these people i honestly don't know.
As far as considering these people real people. yeah there all real people, but i'm sure, it would take more of a hit to ya, if your friend that you've been talking to for a year that lived in town that you hanged out in RL, would be more devastating than friend you talked to every night over the net.
Thats just my 2 cents. |
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rockerlizz |
02:22pm Apr 2, 2007 EST |
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Mm.. For me, losing a friend could go both ways. I can know someone in real life, and I can know someone from the internet.. But, losing one of them could effect me the same way. From my experience, I've been hurt both ways.. But, with relationships over the net I think it effected me the most because over the internet it's so much easier to type out your problems, and explain them. And it's so much easier to listen to, too. And the point your brought out is really an important factor in my life because after experiencing probably the most traumatic days of my life, I met yet another person online who gave me a reason to live. Some might say a 'Hero', but it's much more than that.
Sure, I met them from the internet, but because I met them makes my life 10x better than before. Friendship isn't about quantity, it's about quality and whether it's from a screen or not shouldn't make a difference to how well it goes. But, I respect your opinion. |
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Atte |
04:48pm Apr 2, 2007 EST |
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Personaly I have lots of online friends. More than real life ones. I only spend time with my real life friends in school and spend all my evenings chatting and playing with the online ones.
I don't think they can be compared, because the set up is so different. And online friends can become real life friends too. |
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Fran |
05:33pm Apr 2, 2007 EST |
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I've too a lot of online friends, but I think you can't replace your friends from the Real Life. It's a complete friend relationship, it's not only words, you can share the moments with them. |
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FaerieGirl |
05:47pm Apr 2, 2007 EST |
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I don't think we should avoid comparing offline and online friends, to be honest. Even if we interact with them in different contexts, it all comes down to the 'friend' part. Getting all technical, this is Merriam-Webster's attempt to define "friend":
1. one attached to another by affection or esteem
In my opinion, the criteria to know whether someone is your friend or not are the same in any type of context. It all comes down to affection, I guess. The question is personal to me, then - do you need to see the person physically to feel affection towards him or her? I don't. |
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lokijki |
07:26am Apr 3, 2007 EST |
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I'd consider all my Second Life friends to be real friends. Its no different then offline ones. |
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dark me |
12:45pm Apr 3, 2007 EST |
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that's a gr8 topic!
I rily love my online friends cuz u sumtimes get 2 tell them more than u can tell ur offline ones, and they'd b able 2 help! as far as if they're telling the truth or not I guess it rily depends on u and how much do u get ur self attached... no matter wat we shud b careful but not 2 way that we get parinoed and think every1 is lying!
so online friends ROCK! but I can't have a category of both offline and online friends! I keep them separated |
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MizzSugarCity |
03:27pm Apr 3, 2007 EST |
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I think both E-Friends and Friends can be good at times and bad at times. They can both be dangerous, but that is life. Sometimes it's easier to talk to someone you don't really hang out with face to face than talking to someone you do hang out with. You wouldn't have to worry about everyone knowing your business. It's a good experience. |
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AZERT |
12:29pm Apr 4, 2007 EST |
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Any person who believes that E-Friends are "better" or even 'equal" to real friends must not have alot of real friends... There's no comparison.
Online, you only talk. In person, there are so many other interactions besides just a chat, or even a webcam/computer "Second Life"
AZERT |
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RyanBartz |
12:55pm Apr 4, 2007 EST |
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Azert, friends and E-friends are the same. On games, you can spend time with them, and talk, and get to know each other, just like real life.
Ok, you can't play a sport with them or anything, but can play online games against each other. And that's what I think is what friendship, spending time together and talking, and having fun.
You don't need to play football (soccer) with someone to be friends with them.
And yes, I do have alot of real friends, and the people talking back to you online are real. |
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