Just a random thought... Technology was built to shrink distances to bring us closer. Second life avatars,chat rooms,g talk... Do these virtual communication devices actually encourage us to live a virtual life or are they pushing us towards seeking face-to-face interactions through the use of these devices
The classic example would be dating sites...I can now connect with like minded individuals but what i am really looking for is the face-to-face meeting with the person. Similarly posting on blogs and having random visitors post on your blog who share their views has a thrill of its own but the real buzz factor lies in the possibility that someday i might just be able to transform this virtual connection into a real one.
Google earth as well as other cafes and restaurants that have online communities have in a way bridged the game between strangers in a particular locality.When add a CCD Khar community to my orkut community listing i am in fact hoping that i will make a virtual connection with someone who also frequently the same place that could maybe translate into an actual physical meeting someday.
The internet in my opinion has somewhere become the 1st screen filter when it come to the kind of friends/acquaintances we hope to have in our lives
