End of Communications…

Posted on October 27, 2007

Below is a link to an important post by a (relatively) new online friend of mine, Bill Cammack, who speaks about how social networking and social media are transforming his life and the way he interacts with and creates relationships with others.

From his post:

“I wasn’t getting that people were forming actual friendships and respect for each other that had never met each other IRL. I wasn’t getting that people were learning things about me that I didn’t tell them, because I posted it on the net and they read or watched it without telling me they did. I wasn’t getting that as opposed to selecting compatible people that are within our physical locations where we live, hang out or work, we now have the opportunity to interact… A. LOT…. with people with whom we share similar likes and interests that live ANYWHERE in the world.”

I’m finding the same thing to be true. I’ve made a very good friend via Twitter, and now IRL (In Real Life), we feel very comfortable with each other. When she first telephoned me, I was surprised and somewhat taken aback, as if we were strangers speaking for the first time. The first time I met her in person, I was a little self conscious and definitely nervous that I wouldn’t have anything to say to her. Yet, she made me feel comfortable, and eventually we were able to pick up as if we’d been friends forever. And now, I consider her a great friend, though I am catching up with the “getting to know you phase” in some instances. But it is that first few minutes when you’re in the “I’m talking to a celebrity” phase that I think is throwing everyone.

These people really are like celebrities to us (the term “rockstar” is a bit much). I think the idea of a celebrity stems from the one-way feel of the traditional media, where we can interact with the “stars,” even though it’s usually via a medium - mail, email, website, etc. There’s no immediate feedback, and no tangible connection is made. When we finally meet the “celebrity” in person, the connection solidifies. The person becomes real. It’s that first connection that is blowing us all away because it is so very powerful. And I do believe it’s changing our lives. Bill and I can attest to that.

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Connection Made.

Posted on October 16, 2007

It looks like at least one person has taken my post on Reaching Out to heart. Or it could have been my video post on Facebook (anyone know how to get videos made in FB and put them here?). I noticed that she’s become very active on her Facebook page and has started reaching out to people she hasn’t seen or spoken to in awhile. It’s something we all should do. Go, make that connection.

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