The Meandering Goddess wanders the Earth in search of suitable subjects by which to bedazzle, bewilder and bewitch, with relative sagacity and saneness (one hopes). Always relating to writing, but with an intricate intertwining of life's mysteries and miracles.
Musings of A Meandering Goddess
Vol. 2 No. 2 ~ February 9, 2008
The Neighborly Internet
I stare out my window at the giant sycamore tree (don’t really know if that’s what it is, but it’s the only tree name that came instantly to mind) at another gorgeous San Diego day and contemplate the CD I opted to enjoy while writing. The inimitable Janis Joplin.
It's her greatest hits CD I choose when feeling particularly defiant, bawdy, irreverent, vulnerable… singly, or all at once. Janis was all about people. She loved them, hated them and spoke for them. A voice silenced much too soon.
Makes me wonder… Janis was somewhat of a loner--a talented island in a sea of creative camaraderie. If Janis had felt more connected to an intimate network of friends or family, would she have lived longer? Cry, cry, baby… It’s been proven that from infancy, we need each other. We reach for the touch of skin on skin as we’re pulled from the womb. Even as we age, often pulling back from intimacy, we can’t help ourselves; before we know it, we’ve formed friendships, met the neighbors, and become part of a community clique.
Ah sure, I can hear you balking now, “I don’t belong to any stupid clique. I don’t need anyone.” Hmmmmm. Well, maybe you don’t know your neighbors, shun your family, and regularly kick the dog; but what about your workplace? Are you in on, victim of, or spreading the gossip? Oh, you work at home, on the computer all day—totally alone, isolated, and remote. A veritable enigma wallowing in your seductive, clandestine persona, are you?
So tell me, are you registered on MySpace? How about Facebook? Maybe you prefer a more creative community like GarageBand, or AuthorNation? Do you dabble in a heartfelt hobby with other like minds? Have you joined a forum-based group to whom you bond, tease, or feel superior? Honey, you’re being neighborly on the Internet. You, my friend, have found your niche. Yep, you’ve signed up, posted and chatted your way into a community clique.
Even “way back” in 1997 BusinessWeek magazine saw the neighborhood graffiti hit the Internet wall, “Instead of flitting from site to site dabbling in the gobs of information and latest news flashes, this new class of Netizen is settling in, staying put, making a home away from home.” (05/05/97, http://www.businessweek.com/1997/18/b35251.htm)
We thought at first that the computer and Internet cocoon would isolate us and swallow us up, with no contact to the “outside world.” The more it grew and matured, we learned the Internet is about as “outside” as you can get! And your vast new cyber communities are nothing more than virtual neighborhoods.
You have “block parties” every time you enter a forum. You talk about the kids, your misunderstanding with the mate, and an upcoming dreaded birthday. You’re offered “food for thought” from your neighborhood chums, and may be brave enough to dive into a new community pool (forum)—oh, and don’t forget to abide by the community CC&Rs! Yup—even your IC has rules-n-regs. Break ‘em and you’re evicted!
Within your IC there are those you love to chat with, a few you truly can’t stand, and a majority you ignore—sound familiar? It’s new, it’s enlightening, it’s fun. It has its upside—and its downside…
ICs can isolate you from your real world family and friends. While you may have found a boatload of new, exciting cyberbuddies on the ‘net, don’t forget to venture out into the sunshine sharing your Internet escapades with someone you can actually hold hands, share a leg-stretching walk, or a spectacular sunset.
That said, if you have not yet found your niche on the ‘net, here are a few intimate communities where you might fit right in... join cyberhands with folks in your city, state, or on the other side of the world…
www.AuthorNation.com intellectual home for Authors AND Readers
http://forums.womansday.com/ for women by Woman’s Day Magazine
http://www.womensforum.com/ business to babies for women
http://thepetsforums.com/forums/index.php pontificate on all pet issues (even equine, etc.)
http://www.small-business-forum.com/ mix it up, business-style
Cheers!
MG (Jus’ me ‘n’ Bobby McGee…)
Comment? Sure... the Meandering Goddess
