Yesterday I published a post entitled, Why Blog? I listed three (though there are zillions more) reasons why blogging matters. Today I thought of another one: virtual community. Yes, I know that sounds nebulous, but that’s where you’d be wrong. It is hardly nebulous. In case you’re unfamiliar with the word, here are its synonyms (just to further make my point): imprecise, hazy, unformulated, vague, tenuous, ill-defined, or indefinable. Virtual community is anything but. And, just in case you don’t know, the synonyms for virtual are practical, vital, effective, fundamental, essential, and implicit.
So – blogging creates practical, vital, effective, fundamental, essential and implicit community. That rocks!!! (Another point for me.)
Blogging is a way to create and experience community.
I have met some amazing people in the past few months, particularly since ramping up my Twitter presence. But even before that, I was making connections with other amazing bloggers; individuals who are using language that resonates with mine, working in categories that thrill me so much I can hardly stand it, and inviting hope and change in ways that I just can’t possibly ignore. I encounter bloggers who intrigue me, make me think, make me mad, make me cry, make me laugh, and yes, change me. I’m not kidding. This really happens.
I read their blogs – and comment. Or, in some cases, even start blogging on their site. They read my blog – and comment. And, in some cases, will be guest blogging on my site very soon!
Blogging and social media create and enable community that is real, meaningful, and ever expanding. And from where I sit, it’s just a privilege to be a part of it. Having been in the online dating world off and on this past year, I’m telling you: there’s more action on Twitter than Match.com. And even if that’s not entirely true (at least in the same way), there’s definitely the potential for more community, more connection, more synergy created and experienced through blogging. I may not be able to sit and have a glass of wine or a cup of coffee with my “virtual” community, but in many ways we are sharing more deeply, more vulnerably, and with more integrity than opportunity’s been afforded by many of my online suitors. (No, of course I don’t mean you, my friend. No worries.)
Why might this be? Well, I think it gets back to what I posted yesterday. Blogging is a way to get outside ourselves. Blogging is therapeutic. Blogging helps us tell our story. And when those three things happen – when we open up, interact in healthy ways, and share stories, community can’t not form. Relationship can’t not form. And what’s more, it changes us. I’m not kidding. This really happens.
Maybe I should write another post about how online dating would be significantly better if we opened up, interacted in healthy ways, and shared stories. Hmmmm.
I think I’ve made my point. Why blog? Because (virtual) community rocks!
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Ronna
Thanks for once again bring me a reader to a landing place. As I live in transtion this past year I have begun to explore relational connections that might be different then face to face. Blogging has become a landing place to hear from others I might otherwise not do so for many reasons. Reading your blog lands me back into a space fo the Virtual community as you so graciously defined.
Mmmm. You’re welcome, Martha. And thank you.
I was just talking about online dating yesterday. I mentioned that I’d tried online dating and didn’t feel comfortable doing it anymore. Another friend of mine started laughing, saying, “You? You’re the one amongst us who has an ‘online life’, but you won’t date online.”
As I thought about it, I realized she’s right.
I have greatly enjoyed blogging, and am (clearly) addicted to Twitter. I’ve made real connections with people who I’ve gone on to become friends with in the real world. It’s been a fantastic experience for me.
I determined that the difference is that in blogging, etc, we are often being ourselves. Dating online? I’ve found that the person who I was talking to didn’t turn out to be the person I was talking to. (ha) Perhaps there is a different mindset that leads to the difference in ‘true connection’ in these different types of interaction.
You’ve definitely given me something to think about.
Thanks Ronna!
From your new Twitter friend (ha),
All the best!
deb
.-= Deb Owen´s last blog ..thoughts to get your week started =-.
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