May I Borrow A Cup Of Suger?

         As internet networking increases and threatens to change the way we communicate , traditional forms of building and maintaining community prove favourable. Karen Evans emphasis what characterizes virtual communities in her article ”The Significance of Virtual Communities” however I believe that we need to focus on our physical communities first in order to use the internet to our full advantage. The media mirrors our world, our ideals and values, the internet shares humanities flaws in how people communicate with one another. Castells and Wellman argue, connections are no longer dependent on the common space we share we now maintain friendships through common interests. These choices encourage a type of ‘networked individualism’  the birth of a new specialized relationship in social networking. Suggesting, that the idea of community is in essence changing and requires a broader definition with the evolution of the internet.

         In oder to achieve an idealistic cyber community we need to start with improving our communities in our physical world first.  An ideal traditional community today struggles to exist because  people are finding themselves disconnected from their fellow neighbours. In my geography class the proffessor asked the students ( 130 in the class) who would feel comfortable to ask their neighbour for a cup of suger?  only a quarter of the class replied yes. Our sense of belonging in our community effects our personal well-being, feeling comfortable in our neighbourhood . Having good neighbours creates a sense of security, you can feel assured that someone will watch your house when your away and perhaps even help you start your car in the winter. Are we so fixated with our individual surroundings that we don’t care about our shared environment anymore. I believe the problem lies in our eroded appreciation for family and our rush for attaining materialistic wants that capitalism thrives upon. With values losing their significance in our everyday lives being a good neighbour is not on many peoples priorities list.

          Are cyber communities really organized better as Wellman suggests? Members from around the globe that shape many cyber communities will have to meet as one collective however technology and time barriers can make this very difficult. Wellman argues that relationships formed on cyber communities are purer in essence, uncluttered by first impressions and hidden intension. I believe this sense of fear on the streets is causing people to run to the false safety of the web community and in turn effecting how we treat the people around us. If we place a fear on meeting each other through face to face contact we discourage community in our physical world.

         There are so many industries that are dependant on competitive tactics, for example in the oil and gas sector incentives are used to attract business. Clients are taken out on golf trips and weekend getaways where connections are created and business friendships are made. In a way its just elaborating on the old fashioned hand shake. Community today for people still means the physical relationships they’ve made through attachment, interest and those that live in the same area. Final thought: At my house we always make a point to be friendly with our neighbours even though were newbees in the community and the other day Dale our neighbour, saw us out for lunch and took care of the bill. I also made friends with the other neighbour which after watching his house one weekend he bought us wine and chocolates. Just wanted to say next time your out for a walk or driving by wave at your neighbours its a start and you’ll feel good about it too!

Kindest thoughts B

Here is a clip from Napolean Dynamite: depicting a moment between him and his neighbour. Note the wave.