Are Virtual Friends For Real?

[TRANCOSO]

Call me old fashioned, but I somehow can't relate to the concept of cyber friendship. To me friends are flesh & blood people with faces, voices & eyes you've looked into, people you've shared special moments in your life with and who you can blindly depend on, as they can depend on you.
Calling someone a friend means you would really miss that person, if (s)he wouldn't be around anymore.
Therefore I wonder; are virtual friends for real?

[THE eXchanger]

my mother believed before xmas, they were not,
but, after a discussion, about whether or NOT,
she knew her friends, who she hasn't seen for 60+ years,
since, she was in her middle teens,
and, is now, corresponding with some of them via e-amil,
she finally admitted,
that she feels, like no time, has gone past,
and, she definitely does know them better ~
than she ever knew them, when they were kids.

We asked her, if she ever sat at her computer
~and, laughed when she read something,
to which, she replied, yes, as a matter of fact,
i think, i have laughed harder, than, i would ever laugh,
in front of someone else,
some people send you really crazy/and, really funny things

we asked her, if she ever received anything,
that she questioned
the truth in it,
to which she responded,
the computer has opened up parts of the world
she did NOT even know existed, and, that,
there were some things, that were really starting to concern her,
and, if they are true,
someone has to do something about it !!!

hmmm...they are waking up !!!

yes, i think, any decent relationship, normally starts,
friends first, i think, you can find people online,
and, develop friendships with

although, i have to agree ~ there is NOTHING like a friend in flesh,
right there beside you !!!

over the years, on the computer,
i have seen groups of people, do pretty amasing things,
for other people, who are simply, their online friends !!!

and, i've seen groups of people, realise, that someone is NOT acting
the way, they normally do, and, in some cases, helped someone who
was depressed, and/or, needing others, help help lift their spirits,
and, it avoided someone committing a suicide.

if you want a friend, you have to be a friend
personally, i believe, online friends, are, the same as offline friends

[TRANCOSO]

personally, i believe, online friends, are, the same as offline friends
Online friends exist in cyberspace. When you're cut-off from the internet, you're cut-off from them as well.
By the way, do 'dreamfriends' exist?

[micjer]

That is an interesting question.

I would have to say that I have met some really amazing people on this and other forums. There are some that I have become very close to and discuss things with that I wouldn't dare talk about to non-forum friends.

On another forum I am on, we exchanged photos and real names. It really helped to personalize things and brought us closer. Susan is one of the few that is open to this type of thing. Many prefer to hide behind a facade. I have no problem with that.

David Icke forum has a thread where people can post a picture of themselves. Perhaps that is something some may want to do here.


Anyways to answer your question, I would say that yes some virtual friends are very much for real.

:thumb_yello:

[joe2288]

Well I am gonna go ahead and say it behind the computer are real people and

I do consider people on here as friends, because i resonate with people on here

in a way i can't with my regular friends, because there all still asleep and I

chose a long time ago i wouldn't try and blast my views at people and shake

there lives up. Some people like being asleep and i respect that.

[TRANCOSO]

Real life friends can disappoint you, let you down, - have an emotional impact on you, that goes way beyond that of cyberfriends.
(Of course this excludes my friend Swanny! :naughty:)

[raulduke]

Online friends exist in cyberspace. When you're cut-off from the internet, you're cut-off from them as well.

A pea sized meteorite traveling 3000 mph could shoot through your roof and strike your skull as you read this, and you would be cut off from real and online people.

It is an unpredictable world. Some try so hard to be prepared that they cannot live in the moment. Sure, be prepared, but remember that this moment also has significance.

Regarding your op, 'virtual friends' are indeed different from real world friends, but as they are both types of relationships, some of the same rules apply. The most important being (imho), that you get out of a relationship what you put into it.

By the way, do 'dreamfriends' exist?

Hmm, my 6 year old nephew may have a different opinion than you or I. I suppose it depends on your definition of "exist". Or was that a joke?

[THE eXchanger]

Online friends exist in cyberspace. When you're cut-off from the internet, you're cut-off from them as well.
By the way, do 'dreamfriends' exist?

yes, they definitely do eXist !!!

[micjer]

BTW....Hi Raulduke old friend! You exist ......right?


:lol3: :mfr_lol:

[futureyes]

That is an interesting question.

I would have to say that I have met some really amazing people on this and other forums. There are some that I have become very close to and discuss things with that I wouldn't dare talk about to non-forum friends.

On another forum I am on, we exchanged photos and real names. It really helped to personalize things and brought us closer. Susan is one of the few that is open to this type of thing. Many prefer to hide behind a facade. I have no problem with that.
David Icke forum has a thread where people can post a picture of themselves. Perhaps that is something some may want to do here.


Anyways to answer your question, I would say that yes some virtual friends are very much for real.

:thumb_yello:

what do you mean micjer ... this pic IS the real me ... :lol3:

answering trancoso's question ... yes i do feel my virtual friends are real ...
a heart connection's a heart connection ... that's real enough for me ... :thumb_yello:

:wub2:

[rhythm]

what do you mean micjer ... this pic IS the real me ... :lol3:

answering trancoso's question ... yes i do feel my virtual friends are real ...
a heart connection's a heart connection ... that's real enough for me ... :thumb_yello:

:wub2:



yes she realy does look like that :naughty:

and for the record ..

i made some of the best friends i ever had :thumb_yello:

on line ... also want to say ...that skype :thumb_yello:

is an excelent way to get to know them better

and to meet in the flesh evem better still ...:thumb_yello:

rhythmmm :wub2:

[morguana]

yes i think that cyber friends can be 'real', i have a very close friend, whom i have never met in real life, but we are in lots of contact and i love this person loads and should he ever need my help in any way i would give it.
m x

[Shairia]

I think the connection is real, it's more of an energy attraction initially. Maybe a new term for that would be appropriate. One can take that energy attraction in any direction you wish, and some eventually meet up in person.

[Jnana]

It's much harder to get the true sense of a person from typed language than in person. There are so many other cues when you are in the same room, face to face. It has seemed to me that you can learn more about a person spending five minutes with them in silence than a year of typing over the internet. Virtual friends can be quite nice, but many of your notions of who that person is can change when you finally meet in person.

[burgundia]

Virtual friends can be quite nice, but many of your notions of who that person is can change when you finally meet in person.

I bet....

[gita]

I’ve been using the internet for many years now but only started engaging in forums since December 2009. I actually find people on these forums more of a mind and consciousness friends as here is where like minds connect and can have debates mostly without judgements. My friends in ‘real’ life whom I’ve known for decades and love dearly, however seem to be full of judgments as they do not share the same path as me and actually think I’m quiet ‘out there’ and do not believe in any conspiracies such as how human’s are actually being controlled much alone dimensional stuff. It seems as they get older they seem to be more set in their views and less tolerant towards mine even though this is how I’ve been since being a kid.

I have found myself grateful for these forums and the people/consciousness on them and see it as my second mind home. Cyber friends/consciousnesses are much appreciated by me as I’ve found a place where I am allowed to be who I really am. :original:

[Steve_A]

Hi old fashioned,

I tend to agree with you. I was a CBer many years ago. Of everybody who I spoke to on citizens band, how many do I still keep in touch with since my CB and the CB scene went down? None.

I have always thought that 'friendship' on the internet is just the same as what the CB was, only the media is different. Unless someone can prove me wrong...

Of course this does not mean to say that I treat everybody in a cold way. As we interact we receive a certain 'excitement' for want of a better word to be connected to someone on the other side of the world who shares common ideas.

Best regards,

Steve




Call me old fashioned, but I somehow can't relate to the concept of cyber friendship. To me friends are flesh & blood people with faces, voices & eyes you've looked into, people you've shared special moments in your life with and who you can blindly depend on, as they can depend on you.
Calling someone a friend means you would really miss that person, if (s)he wouldn't be around anymore.
Therefore I wonder; are virtual friends for real?

[Fredkc]

Trancoso;

Friendship, and trust are something you give. When you give them in earnest, then it is real. It's all you can do.

When it isn't returned, then it's their loss.

When it is, then you both have something.

Not seeing/feeling the other person changes the way a relationship builds, but the nature of it seems unchanged, to me.

Best I can do,
Fred

[Jacqui D]

Before we had cyber friends we had pen pals, both work similar, i have made strong relationships both ways and i know some better than my friends i see on a regular basis.
I think sometimes you can say things better through messages rather than face to face some do not have that confidence to do that.
For me i contact on both levels so yes are virtual friends for real most definitely

[Shaynard]

I’ve been using the internet for many years now but only started engaging in forums since December 2009. I actually find people on these forums more of a mind and consciousness friends as here is where like minds connect and can have debates mostly without judgements. My friends in ‘real’ life whom I’ve known for decades and love dearly, however seem to be full of judgments as they do not share the same path as me and actually think I’m quiet ‘out there’ and do not believe in any conspiracies such as how human’s are actually being controlled much alone dimensional stuff. It seems as they get older they seem to be more set in their views and less tolerant towards mine even though this is how I’ve been since being a kid.

I have found myself grateful for these forums and the people/consciousness on them and see it as my second mind home. Cyber friends/consciousnesses are much appreciated by me as I’ve found a place where I am allowed to be who I really am. :original:


Same would apply to me.. :)

With my point of view, we are all connected, and I love everyone. So internet or real life makes no difference to me personally. I do not feel separated from people because of physical space.

I have found I can have just as much compassion and caring for someone I have never seen in person, and only talk to online.

So my personal answer would be yes. it's about connections we share, not physical space IMO.

In light, of love
Shaynard

[orthodoxymoron]

I do much better on the internet than I do in 'real life'. Most people (other than my mom!) don't relate to what I'm interested in...or the subject matter is too controversial for work, church, neighbors, et al. The internet allows me to fine tune the subjects and participants...so that there is an appropriate match. I can discuss things on Avalon which I wouldn't dream of discussing elsewhere. I find that if I don't keep 'real life' conversation superficial and non-controversial...things go downhill very quickly! I have very few friends. I'm a lone nut! My best friend is my dog! The more people I meet...the more I like my dog! Sorry! But that's the awful truth!

Virtual Friends Are Virtual Friends...Until They Become a Virtual Pain in Uranus!

:mfr_omg:Namaste:mfr_lol:

[Humble Janitor]

I've talked to people that I may never meet in flesh. However, it's awesome the things people can do online when they don't even know each other personally! There's a lot that can be accomplished if you brush aside the notion that online friends aren't real friends. ;)

Like for example, I consider a lot of folks on Avalon to be friends even though I've never met and may never meet any of you in flesh.

[Malynda]

The medium doesn't matter to me. A true friend is a true friend whether we have met face to face or not just as someone believed to be a friend can show true colors as not so good a friend whether they are online or face to face.

[smat]

I believe that virtual or online friends/ friendships can be very real.
A lot of the regulars on here I see as friends.
I have a lot of internet friends and a lot of our friendships are very real. I see and interact more with people on the internet then I do in the flesh.
That's just me, all people are different. Some people that I've met on the internet I go round and visit them quite often. (by invitation of course, I'm no stalker).

It is so refreshing to be able to interact with people who have things in common with yourself, sharing information and ideas.

my real life friends, I normally see them if it's someones birthday or there is something good to watch at the cinema.
I do have a best friend, we meet up once a week or so and go for walks in the country side, have a cup of tea and a chat about real things (not about football or what tv show or celeb is good or not).

Some people have lots of friends, but when the chips are down how many of them are your real friends?

I am happy with my life and I am happy with my different groups of friends, they all are special to me and have a place in my heart. :original:

[micjer]

what do you mean micjer ... this pic IS the real me ... :lol3:





I found another pic of you futureyes!!

Hope you were OK !!!

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss64/Micjer_2009/turtle.jpg

[futureyes]

I found another pic of you futureyes!!

Hope you were OK !!!

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss64/Micjer_2009/turtle.jpg

hahaha micjer ... that silly photo of me still making its rounds ...

yup ... me as a kid ... one of my first dives ... hit a little too hard but came through unscathed ...

never did look good in candid shots ... :wink2:

:wub2:

[Fredkc]

Are they, or can they be for real? well....

Here are some people I only knew from a chat room, for about 8 years now.

The man on the left, and woman on the right knew each other for about 5 years
online only. Then met, got married, and are married to this day. She is from Canada.
He from Arizona. Now they both are in Az working a business they started together.

The one in the middle, a mutual friend lives about 90 miles from me.
This picture is taken by me, about 2 years ago. We all met in San Diego.
Rented a sailboat for the day, then did dinner and bar hopping that nite.

Unforgettable day.

http://fredsitelive.com/personal/IMG_0164a.jpg

Virtual, or otherwise, a friend is a friend.

Fred

[bushycat]

hahaha micjer ... that silly photo of me still making its rounds ...

yup ... me as a kid ... one of my first dives ... hit a little too hard but came through unscathed ...

never did look good in candid shots ... :wink2:

:wub2:



You were pretty cute kid. I think I saw you few years ago in Kona. You were having a great time. Just shows different aspects of friendship. I followed you around for a while and knew there was a connection between us.

Aloha,
BC:surfing:

[TRANCOSO]

Fredkc
Re: Are Virtual Friends For Real?
Are they, or can they be for real? well....
Here are some people I only knew from a chat room, for about 8 years now.
The man on the left, and woman on the right knew each other for about 5 years online only. Then met, got married, and are married to this day. She is from Canada. He from Arizona. Now they both are in Az working a business they started together. The one in the middle, a mutual friend lives about 90 miles from me.
This picture is taken by me, about 2 years ago. We all met in San Diego.
Rented a sailboat for the day, then did dinner and bar hopping that nite.

Unforgettable day.
True love,
that's a wonder
these days
:huglove:

[micjer]

We should all post our pics then.

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss64/Micjer_2009/aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.jpg


:mfr_lol::thumb_yello:

[Fredkc]

I'll go second...


Me in Charlie Daniels mode:

http://fredsitelive.com/personal/FredAtFairS.jpg

Me in "Sunday go to wedding" mode, w/haircut:

http://fredsitelive.com/personal/Fred.jpg

"... I can't wait to look in the mirror,
Cuz I get better lookin' each day..."

:D

[TRANCOSO]

We should all post our pics then.
:mfr_lol::thumb_yello:
You know what? Something tells me this isn't really you... :naughty:

[Dantheman62]

Hi old fashioned,

I tend to agree with you. I was a CBer many years ago. Of everybody who I spoke to on citizens band, how many do I still keep in touch with since my CB and the CB scene went down? None.

I have always thought that 'friendship' on the internet is just the same as what the CB was, only the media is different. Unless someone can prove me wrong...

Of course this does not mean to say that I treat everybody in a cold way. As we interact we receive a certain 'excitement' for want of a better word to be connected to someone on the other side of the world who shares common ideas.

Best regards,

Steve



Ah c'mon Steve, won't you be my friend?

Hey Fredkc, didn't you post a pic of you as a kid in your Sunday go to meetin clothes? With the tall socks and the boney knees? LOL

Here's a pic of me on my quad in the Mojave Desert...
47 going on 18, LOL, I refuse to grow up!
Don't I look like an alien? kinda? LOLhttp://projectavalon.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=724&pictureid=7818

[Céline]

Ok first of all..there is nothing virtual about the friendships made on the internet...the forum is a virtual enviroment...

Are you a real person? am i?

We are not Avatars....

This is an old argument...

Friendships do not have limitations of time, or space....

[TRANCOSO]

After PA was shut down I realized how I would miss my virtual friends & I also came to the conclusion that friendship has many layers.

I'm glad the forum is online again, not in the least because discussing topics in the chatroom (GaiaLove, you're a hero!) is virtualy impossible.

I think the temporarly closing of PA has proven once again the truth of the expression that you value someone/thing truly, the moment it's no longer there.

[Majorion]

There a few people I've met on the web that I still keep in touch with, they are very much real friends to me, in fact they understand me better than some folks in real life. I think that text can be far more revealing of a person's nature and their way of thinking, than regularly assumed. Its great to find those like minded, the internet 'sectors' make it especially easy.

[Swanny]

I missed this thread
I've met many people from the net over the years and have made some great real life friendships.
Internet friendships can be as good as real life ones and even better IMO
I used to play a lot of online fighting games and spent probably 8 hours a day online with my mates, we all had mics and would chat away while playing. So I spent more of my time talking to them than anyone else at that time, just as I chat more to you lot about this stuff than my other friends.
Here's a good test, if you broke down on a cold wet morning at 3am how many real friends do you have that would leave their bed and come to your rescue???
Or maybe that's just a test on how good some people can be.

Friends come and go that's life.


I'd love to meet you all :thumb_yello:

Trancoso Dan and Fredkc fancy a beer or three?? :drink_nl:

[Mercuriel]

I will offer this experience for All to share.

Over ten years ago - I and My Twin Flame tied the Knot. Previous to this I had been involved in an Online Gaming Team and for the most part We had all become close.

Over time - I and another Member of that Team became fast Friends. We would call each other - Send cards on Holidays and what have You. When My Twin Flame and I finally decided to get Married - This Friend of Mine from that Online Team payed His own way up to Canada from the US, and served as My Best Man at the Wedding...

Simply put - We must go through alot of dross to get to the Jemstones but find them We will as long as We're on the lookout.

Can the Internet be Flaky ? Yeah for sure, but the same can be said of the Street...

:wink2:

[Stardustaquarion]

I think that if we are all here we may have meet each other already at soul level and we may have friendships that span millions of years

Beyond the appearance of flesh and bone there is the spirit and many of us belong to the same spirit families regardless of which path our current bodies have chosen

So hello lovely friends love to all avalonians :wub2::wink2:

[TheChosen]

Some of the closest friends I've made have been from a MMORPG (Ultima Online) .. of course later I met them in RL as well which only strengthened the friendship

[pureheart7]

Call me old fashioned, but I somehow can't relate to the concept of cyber friendship. To me friends are flesh & blood people with faces, voices & eyes you've looked into, people you've shared special moments in your life with and who you can blindly depend on, as they can depend on you.
Calling someone a friend means you would really miss that person, if (s)he wouldn't be around anymore.
Therefore I wonder; are virtual friends for real?

This is an interesting question~~
For me, balance is key. Personally I prefer real life friends, but also value online friends. I make an effort to meet online friends in person and have enjoyed deep friendships as a result.

It's easy to get pulled into the virtual world. In my opinion it can be a distraction, and may keep us from fully living life and taking action.

I prefer looking into someone's eyes and sharing a meal and laughter. I like hugs and kisses:original: I enjoy sharing real life experiences together.

I want to share this interesting program that was on PBS Frontline--
"Digital Nation" distracted by everything....
it's worth watching: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/digitalnation/view/

It was an eye opener for me :nono:

[sunny D]

You know what? Something tells me this isn't really you... :naughty:

:lmao:

[lovepromoter]

Online friends exist in cyberspace. When you're cut-off from the internet, you're cut-off from them as well.
By the way, do 'dreamfriends' exist?

you've hit the nail on the head dude, cyber friends and their cyber text are as fake as the gold our money represents!!!

dreamfriends are more real than real friends as its all about soul baby.

much love and respect

[lightwalker]

About 10 years ago a woman I met on-line from California sent me a link to a site that changed my life. I am not in contact with her and only was for a short time but I consider the action she did was that of a friend and I still give thanks to this day for her gift of that link.

Even tho I have no actual personal connection with anyone in particular here on this forum I consider this place my "cyber family" . You are the ones that are conscious and aware and doing something by your presence in this format that is creating positive change on this great planet and I am glad for this connection. The wisdom and the query and the conversation is great. Everyone here is eager to KNOW. And everyone brings the gift of themselves to the table so to speak and adds to this group. I hope it continue to expands. I think that the "trauma drama" stuff will come and go but the bottom line intention to bring about positive change is and will always out weigh the darkness.

Those one line puns and humor in the midst of the challenges always make me roll with laughter.

I am truly grateful for both Bill and Kerry for their participation and co-creations as messengers of change. I believe that in the annals of time they will be fondly remembered.

In the meantime you can now add a new definition to the word FRIEND in the dictionary.

lightwalker