People deride and often condemn online relationships, virtual friendships. I find that myopic, narrow minded. Yes, I love meeting people in person, seeing their face as they speak, etc. That is the optimal way to interact. But if you can have a great time with multiple hour chats about any number of topics or multiple hour phone calls with people who share their experiences and ideas with you, people you would never otherwise meet but through technology we have been given that precious opportunity, why would you criticize that type of interaction as "false" or "empty"? Curious because I see that type of criticism in the world. And of course the ironic thing is that I see it online most frequently!
I imagine there's a generational component to that viewpoint. When I was the working single mom of a young child, being able to keep in touch via technology was a lifesaver for me. I'm still close friends with people I met that way, some of whom I've met IRL, others I'll meet when I have the time and money to travel more. Are your online critics mostly referring to online dating?
Cognitive dissonance for the #AndThatsWhyImSingle crowd
There's nothing wrong about having online "relationships " imo.. I'm doing it now and im learning so much here in this community... Romance is a totally different topic though..
I have some very nice online relationships as well as ones IRL. The important thing for me is to keep things in perspective and to maintain a balance -- with certain people, online works, and with other people, IRL works. It's different for each individual relationship, but yeah they both have merit. What's important for me is not to substitute online relationships for IRL ones; I can easily do that, because IRL relationships can take some more time and effort to maintain. Also, if I connected with someone online, I still like to know that it's a real person and not a scammer or someone hiding behind a false identity, so I don't put much into it until I get to know them better.
If it works great.
Ultimate goal should be to meet in person
At least a video chat.
I would want to know that sweet girl I have been emailing with is not sitting in a Nigerian internet cafe.
ya ya kake yau?