The Voyeur Factor

[silverseastar]

This morning I was thinking how sad it is that we use these "networking tools" like LJ and Facebook that are supposed to connect us or sustain friendships when all they in fact do is make us voyeurs and worse friends

Comments

I too feel like a long distance voyeur sometimes...

[hesperide]

I would love to be close enough to sneak up on you with hot soup and warm squishy hugs... and find myself with giggly kids to laugh with, and cats to pet and fun conversation. Sadly, the distance is one of the things that makes LJ useful for me.

Most of the people on my friend list are people I know in my real life, and so many of them are constantly traveling to far flung places, or live far away. For me, LJ helps with this problem. LJ has also brought some people into my life who have become real friends, even though I don't get to see them often.

However, I don't use any of the other online services, like Facebook and MySpace, and I don't fool with online games. I used to LARP for the human interaction much more than the game. I call people when I can afford it, if I have current contact info. I do budget for visits when the budget is more stable, and I keep looking for ways to involve myself with others for direct interaction.

You're right about the isolation and voyeurism though... One reason for the social interaction quest I'm on is that I've been trying to avoid becoming a socially isolated statistic, as a lot of my coworkers have - they play games "together" after work hours, on their separate work stations, in separate parts of the building... not even communcating via chat screens outside the game they are intent on... don't want to be there, so I try to find ways to connect with others, and use LJ to keep up with others in between their travels.

It's not perfect, but it does seem to help maintain the connections a lot. 8)

Re: I too feel like a long distance voyeur sometimes...

[silverseastar]

Of course LJ has it's place. I do enjoy being able to keep up on your trials and tribulations and having a sense of how you are. But you are one of the ones who make LJ interractive for me, vs. just voyeuristic.

*hugs*

Re: I too feel like a long distance voyeur sometimes...

[hesperide]

I'm glad to have some interaction, even at a distance. Even when I don't respond, I read your entries with avid interest - even if I do feel like a voyeur sometimes. At least I have an excellent subject to observe. 8)

Besides the fact that I really like you and your family, seeing how you resolve issues, even when you are having a hard time, inspires me to keep slogging forward myself. Your creativity and inventiveness in finding the most positive outcome for all is one of the most amazing and inspiring things about you.

SMOOOOOOOOOOSH!!!