A thought provoking post by Jack. I agree that even with applications such as Skype we can never truly know another person until we have actually met in the real (as opposed to the virtual) world. As virtual reality approximates ever closer to reality it will be interesting to see what impact this has on our ability to make and retain friends. When, in the future (as we almost certainly will) we possess the capacity to shake hands albeit virtually and interact as though we where actually in the same space, what impact will that have on our friendships and relationships more generally. Kevin
Is there anything more unusual, or indeed as unlikely as an internet friendship? I prefer to think of the phenomena as being a classic Claytons situation. If you are wondering what I’m wittering on about, bear with me.
Years ago, in the nineteen-seventies, a southern hemisphere company whose name totally escapes me now, marketed a non-alcoholic beverage resembling bottled whisky in Australia and New Zealand, advertising it as the drink you have when you’re not having a drink, under the brand name Claytons.
The word soon entered the Australian and New Zealand vernacular. No matter whether you are an Aussie, or a kiwi like myself, we use it to describe all kinds of things that are obviously not what they seem. For example, a common-law couple might be described as having a Claytons marriage.
So, now you know. To me, an internet friendship is the kind you participate in when…
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K Morris - Poet 