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Re: The concept of exposure within community
Posted:
Jun 5, 2003 12:44 PM
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> Meredith et al,
>
> In finding my way into this conversation I went back
> to the very first post where the question of social
> mores in online and offline spaces was posed. I am
> intrigued by the social rules around "politeness"
> that you talk about Meredith. I do agree that there
> is a general assumption that people will respond in a
> mature and civil manner to each other in here, which
> is similar to how we interact in the actual world. In
> the Midwest, anyway... Some of us. A difference that
> I sense is the freedom I have to be more direct
> online that I probably would be in a face to face
> conversation. This is largely due to personality and
> a good ole Midwestern fear of confrontation. Those
> limitations seem to fall away online. I find it
> easier to disagree online because I have the time to
> formulate a response and think through my idea more
> thoroughly than a live conversation where something
> comes tumbling out of my mouth and only afterwards do
> I even realize what I've said. I can also hide
> behind my computer to do it. ((Side thought: I
> wonder how many people that participate consistently
> in online forums are introverts or extroverts?))
>
> Having a conversation via writing forces people to
> communicate differently, I like to think it makes us
> more thoughtful, or considered. This makes me wonder
> if online conversations would make for more
> successful conflict resolution amongst people,
> communities, cultures, etc.
Right on Sarah. We do have to rethink everything we write in these conversations because they are cast in history. But we are free to say what we would fear to say face to face with a group of intimidating individuals.
I do not however believe that this medium that allows us to not face our opponents would do much to resolve conflict. We still are primates and the history of our behavior mores still harkens back to physical gestures of resolved conflict; and that entails physical contact.
To truly resolve our differences we still clasp hands, embrace and utter the soft words of peace.
The e- media will not provide that experience.
coyote infante
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