[net.misc] Electronically Mediated Human Relationships

anderson@uwmacc.UUCP (Jess Anderson) (08/05/86)

I'm posting this to net.general because I haven't found a better
place to post it yet. 

A topic that intrigues me greatly is the emergence of person-
to-person relationships mediated entirely by electronic (non-
television) means. What I mean by relationships in this connection
is not work-related relationships, but rather affective relationships
in which the parties get to "know" one another through their terminal-
to-terminal exchanges. Possibly deeply shared values emerge. Maybe
real affection for a person you've never seen emerges. Possibly not
having to see or be seen contributes. Things may work well, people
may be happy with the arrangement. Perhaps they don't go well, one
or both parties feels frustrated or otherwise unhappy.

Is there a newsgroup that supports a discussion of this topic?
If not, are there people interested in discussing the topic?
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The best thing to do is to look beyond right and wrong.  (Chuang Tsu)
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UUCP: {harvard,seismo,topaz, \                           Jess Anderson
              akgua,allegra,  >!uwvax!uwmacc!anderson    1210 W. Dayton	
               ihnp4,ucbvax} /                           Madison WI 53706
ARPA:                     anderson@unix.macc.wisc.edu    608/263-6988
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More words count less.                                   (Tao Te Ching)
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-- 
=========================================================================
The best thing to do is to look beyond right and wrong.  (Chuang Tsu)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
UUCP: {harvard,seismo,topaz, \                           Jess Anderson
              akgua,allegra,  >!uwvax!uwmacc!anderson    1210 W. Dayton	
               ihnp4,ucbvax} /                           Madison WI 53706
ARPA:                     anderson@unix.macc.wisc.edu    608/263-6988
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
More words count less.                                   (Tao Te Ching)
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chrisa@tekig5.UUCP (Chris Andersen) (08/07/86)

In article <124@uwmacc.UUCP> anderson@uwmacc.UUCP (Jess Anderson) writes:
>A topic that intrigues me greatly is the emergence of person-
>to-person relationships mediated entirely by electronic (non-
>television) means. 

>Is there a newsgroup that supports a discussion of this topic?

I think net.social is most appropriate and have cross-posted this reply to 
it and net.singles and added a followup-to: net.social.

>If not, are there people interested in discussing the topic?

*Very* much!  I would not hesitate to say that the field of electronic,
person-to-person communication is probably the single most important aspect of
computers today.  Sure computers can do a lot of other marvelous things, but
the the medium of Electronic Communication (EC) provides a vast amount of 
potential for human growth in socialization.  I know from personal experience
that netnews and other forms of EC have had tremendous effects (for the better)
on my social life.

There is of course a danger that you can get too wrapped up in the potentials
of EC to the point where other forms of communication (such as face to face)
are unused.  But if you are careful to watch out for that, EC can be a wonderful
tool.

I have a lot to say on this subject, but I'll wait to see how others respond 
before I continue.
-- 
My mailbox is always willing to accept letters.

			Yours in better understanding,
			Chris Andersen (chrisa@tekig5)