Virtual or Real?

Is it better to be plugged in or to be real?
I was talking with my co-worker this morning, and we were talking about generation Y, which apparently I am apart of (I guess I don’t know the tech lingo). He was pretty shocked to hear that I have never had AIM (AOL instant messenger), sure when I was in middle school when you have nothing better to do AIM was a great way to talk about forbidden things with boys. But never in High School or College have I used it to stay in touch or chat with my friends. So many people that I have met have been stunned I didn’t have it; and at times I have felt like “the crazy girl who doesn’t have AIM”. But the whole thing got me to thinking about how much of our communicating and relationship building and maintaining we do on the internet. On one hand the Internet has so many amazing tools that allow you to stay connected and updated on friends, family, co-workers, and business partners lives. Which you may not get otherwise. If you are following someone on Twitter, you know what they are up to with out even asking them (even if it might be a wee bit creepy). If you have facebook you will never forget a friends Birthday again. But is a wall post enough to wish someone a happy birthday. Or do your relationships mean more than that? I never post “Happy Birthday” on someone’s wall, just cause I feel like it is impersonal. If the person is important to me I call them. However the internet lowers the barriers of entry for communication drastically. It is much less intimidating to email something that you may be more uncomfortable talking about. And it is a lot easier using linkedin to introduce yourself to someone that could be of value to you rather than call them out of the blue. But wouldn’t it say more about your character if you called them? Or would they give you the time of day? I don’t think there is a clear answer to this dilemma. I believe there is a time and a place for online interaction, and for real life relationships.
Any thoughts on when to use what?

~ by heidizuehlke on August 19, 2008.