technologicaladvances

was doing research for an essay when i came across this:

"Computer networking creates 'communities' unlike any we have known before.Although the members may never be in the same room with each other,they develop strong [working] relationships and powerful bonds of friendship.This results partly from the fact that the technology invites people to 'speak' more openly and candidly than they would in ordinary meetings.Relationships can become as intimate and deeply personal as any developed through face-to-face communication.

That phenomenon shouldn't surprise us.Throughout history,some of the most profound political discussions and the greatest love affairs have been conducted by people writing to each other.We tend to think that the best communication takes place where people can see and touch each other,but that is not necessarily so.Obviously,there are occasions where physical proximity is necessary.But face-to-face communication often introduces 'noise' in the system and imposes more limitations on personal expression.Paradoxically,the very technology that threatens to depersonalize our society offers a way to connect people,to restore a sense of community in our lives,to deepen our relationships."

Richard Farson (1996),Management of the absurd.

looking to validate my need for msn and facebook as mean forms of communication...but cheers to the architects behind them.without them i might not keep in contact and be utterly uncontactable.gotta agree with the author.sometimes it is easier to communicate behind with the screens-vaguely recall some famous author saying that it is when behind a mask that people offer to reveal their true selves or something to that effect.