(no subject)

[dragonimp]

For all our connectivity, we live in a very disconnected society. It's very easy to sink into isolation and anonymity on the internet, even when you don't intend to. Basic communication takes so much more effort online, when compared with interacting face-to-face. It's so much easier to simply not interact, to not bother with the effort. But then where does that leave us? Shouting into the void and listening to our own echos.

It's so much easier to misread people online, as well. We're stripped of the majority of ways of communication and left with only words. No body language, no expressions, no eye contact, no inflection, not even the simple reassurance of a presence to let us know that our existence has been noted. There's no such thing as a "comforting silence" online. Online silence is a single entity that is far too easy to misinterpret.

If I was going anywhere with this it got lost partway through. Just ... musings.

Comments

[beautifulfic.livejournal.com]

Musings are good :D I like to muse. You're very right. I love replying to reviews, but it would be so easy not to bother, or to just not reply to emails.

And then someone takes offence when you meant nothing bad.

Ah well. 'Tis the way the world's going.

B xxx

[dragonimp.livejournal.com]

It is the way the world is headed; but I think our expectations are still somewhat stuck in the pre-information age. It's very easy to not comment on things, too; I keep having to haul myself back and say "now how is the author/artist going to know?" And yet that never occurs to me when reading a book, I never write fan mail.