When will technology move forums such as these to the next level?

[DG]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 9:13pm

OK, confession time first. I’m relatively new to the whole internet thing - having only really participated in the last few years. Truth be told, technology in general isn’t my strong suit. I’m much more drawn to ‘hand-made’ endeavors – whether it is art, commerce or really anything else. But, I was aware of this explosion because my younger brother has pursued computers as a career – and I saw what he was involved with for quite some time before even thinking about dipping a toe in this water.

And now, I find myself here, quite by accident. Like many, I stumbled across the site researching theatre, and discovered the boards. I had never involved myself in such things – in fact, I didn’t even know they existed. I had just heard about chat rooms.

I’ve always had a fascination with human communication, whatever the form. I’m greatly interested in the how, when and why of how we interact with each other. So, when I found this ‘thing’, it was a very natural step to become involved and see what it was all about. I’ve always felt that I was participating and witnessing the next major step in the development of human society – the thing that will eventually move us into a ‘one world’ experience.

But, I’ve been dismayed at the condition of this embryonic stage. The anonymity of it all seems to provide an open forum for the worst traits of humanity to be displayed. In fact, they seem to flourish in this environment.

I envision a time – hopefully sooner than later – when video and audio are commonplace attributes of this communication. I think it will bring us back into a realm of personal responsibility for our thoughts and actions.

In the meantime, I’m aware that there are those who seem to thrive in this environment – perhaps experiencing a freedom of expression and release that they’ve never had, either by outside influence, or personal choice. Whatever the reason, the current state of abandonment as regards the parameters we usually have in place concerning our dealings with each other has led to unfortunate circumstances.

Interestingly to me, even the introduction of ‘real-world’ interaction from this catalyst doesn’t seem to have diminished the difficulties involved. If anything, it seems to have exacerbated them. I can only think that this is a reflection on the people who are drawn to this arena at this point.

Ultimately, I would hope that this gestation phase would lead to a greater availability for us to come together, rather than provide yet another means of separation, which is where it seems to find itself so far.

[i*heart*fame]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 9:32pm

Well, skyp will become more common-place once everyones computers become outdated.

[DG]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 9:45pm

I*Heart - I give up - what's 'skyp'?

[i*heart*fame]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 9:50pm

It is basically this new technology, mostly used by schools/educaters, I believe, that is essentially video chatting. I'm not sure completely how it works, but I participated in this lecture about the integration of new technology and education and the primary speaker talked repeatedly about how many teachers are now using skyp to get in touch with students across the world. However, not everyone can use it because not all computers have the necessary features and/or not everyone has a web-cam. At some point, when everyone has a computer with a built-in camera, I think that while forums will still exist, people will become a aprt of chat communities, or something, where you basically just have a conversation with whoever is online. That can't happen until the technology is more common-place.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 9:53pm

'The Internet is for porn...'

[MistressoftheHouse]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 9:54pm

I*Heart - Do you feel that'll make forums such as this a bit of a scarier place? I don't mind posting here due to the anonymity. I don't use it to be a jacka**, but rather because you never know who exactly you're talking to and what their intentions are.

Obviously we'd be able to see the other parties, but that doesn't mean that you know them. Although video won't do too much to help people find you, it just seems a little weirder to me. But that could be because I haven't participated in anything where I've been able to talk to and see someone I've never met.

[i*heart*fame]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 10:02pm

Well, I actually think that audio chat will catch on faster, just because it is safer to an extent. I think that rather than making forums scarier, I think that they will become more accepted by adults as a place for their kids, because even though you dont know who you are talking to, at least the people youa re chattinw with dont know who you are/what you look like. I think taht people are still somewhat wary when it comes to posting on message boards but if you are talking to someone face to face you feel a little bit more at ease and I think that people actually say things that they regret and sometimes feel to comfortable and share things that they should not. I think that in many respects the younger generations are the least careful. When the internet first started out, albeit, not that long ago, everyone was wary of pedophiles and the like, but now I think that kids( I know that to some perspectives I'm a kid too) are more reckless, especially with things like myspace/facebook. As those who were carefully warned of the dangers slowly disappear, and those who weren't become the majority, I think that these new forms of communication will become more commonplace.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 10:07pm

dg just wants to see more posters naked.

[DG]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 10:13pm

Having met many of the posters here - including YOU, papa - I can forthrightly state that that is NOT my intention!

[Jane2]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 10:16pm

LOL! (me included!)

[cturtle]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 10:16pm

i personally like being able to post/chat through the written word :)

[DG]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 10:26pm

Because of this availability, I’ve been able to meet and interact with people that I never would have through the course of my daily existence – including a small handful who have become real personal friends.

A native Costa-Rican graphic designer immigrant who lives 2 states away? Never gonna happen – except through here.

A national level corporate executive? Never. Except, she loved Broadway, and stumbled here like I did.

A Wall Street worker? Please.

And some real-life, honest-to-goodness creative types in NYC? Doesn’t really show up much in my California suburbia.

And these are some of the most wonderful people I’ve encountered, and I consider myself privileged and blessed to have been brought into their world.

But at the same time, it’s in a venue that includes such new-fangled creations as ‘sock-puppets’ - the reality of which some seem to find amusing, but I only find frustrating and inhibitive.

Ultimately, despite my libertarian heart and soul, I think I’m wishing for a bit more control factors to be put in place, at least until the potential and viability of this new format is realized.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 10:27pm

Wait?! Not even me?!

[lazyafternoon]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 10:58pm

DG you are an inspiration to us all.

Updated On: 11/26/06 at 10:58 PM

[DG]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 11:02pm

lazy - that only showed a red 'x', so as I usually do, I copied the url from the properties and pulled it up that way.

THANKS! Your contribution is noted and appreciated. It's especially interesting next to the icon pic of Mr. Cruise.

Get laid, and spare us the pain in the meantime.

[lazyafternoon]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 11:05pm

Your heartfelt sincerity, not to mention all the other bs we had to crawl through to get it to it, is inspiring!

[DG]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 11:06pm

Lazy - the one thing that DOES already exist in this early stage is the option of CHOICE.

Feel free to exercise yours and avoid that which you aren't interested in.

[lazyafternoon]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 11:11pm

And DG may I ask that you exercise something too. Next time you feel like farting out some of your existential, feel good BS...step away from the keyboard until the urge subsides.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 11:13pm

DG, I think I know what you're getting at. I believe most of our technological advances in communication, starting with the telephone and wireless, then adding in film and TV, which were invented as a means to bring us together as people, have actually served to isolate us.

Gone are most of the "front porch communities" of the 19th century, the front parlors for inviting in company.

We are more "aware" as individuals because of these techno devices, and we can see and know things we never could have a century ago... but they have (in far too many instances) taken the place of "live" face-to-face human interaction.

I believe that's because these communication devices are used as an "end" rather than a "means" to interact. We "talk" on line, over the phone, via email, etc., rather than go out into the world and interact with other humans in person. You have decided to use the Internet as a springboard to socializing, rather than using it AS socializing.

That's a big difference.

[DG]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 11:17pm

"existential, feel good BS"

Your interpretation doesn't exactly equate to the final analysis, lazy.

A question - is your screen name associated with Barbra's recording of that tune?

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 11:19pm

Hm. I still like pseudonyms.

Good topic.

[lazyafternoon]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 11:19pm

Kaye Ballard.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 11:20pm

No, it's because the drunkard knows the hot spots in NYC.

[DG]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 11:23pm

"You have decided to use the Internet as a springboard to socializing, rather than using it AS socializing."

Best - yes, that is very true. And you only had to use a few lines to get to your point.

I bet lazy likes you better than me

[lazyafternoon]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 11:26pm

Like. Don't you guys feel this a place to come to share and vent and agree and disagree without having to worry about being liked. I am way too nice in the real world. If I want to spew some venom this is where I do it. Is that wrong?