On our Radio National yesterday was a program about relationships that begin online. In one case the intercontinental email phase had led to engagement, but the f2f phase failed, almost on first sight.
In the discussion of this, someone commented that as soon as you involve the written word you have fiction (this wasn't said cynically, or implying intended deception - just as an observation). Interesting - I'm sure many of our greatest writers would protest that they have used the written word as a vehicle for the real truth.
During the course we discussed possible advantages of being "unseen" and "heard" differently in online situations. I hadn't considered the notion of it being "fiction". Deep and philosophical? Anyone else find the concept intriguing, or should I have just changed the station?
Cheers
Kathi
Hi Kathi and All
Intriguing indeed! The concept of "fiction" is alien to me in this context. I have always associate fiction as being fictitious ie. imaginary and unreal. So I am not too sure…but perhaps it is true…our cyber celebration is a good example of fiction in action but other than that….I would find it difficult in associating our online discussions with that notion…ummmm…Kathi, you are giving me more grey hairs! :-)
Jenny
Posted by: Jenny Sim at October 27, 2003 04:58 PMHi Kathi,
This reminds me of one of my friends - she eventually married the person she met online - and he was not from Malaysia but was in the USA. She was so brave to leave her job and went to USA to meet him - and to make a long story short - they liked what they saw of each other and got married. She's back in Malaysia for a spell - and I get ot meet this chap who have literally swept her with words online!!!
I felt that I was witnessing a fiction come alive - you just can't believe it and yet it's true.
So how's that for fiction and true story?
Siti R
Posted by: Siti Rabikhatun at October 27, 2003 06:20 PMKathi, you know I do feel that participating on line has a fictitious feel about it. Not that what we share is made up, but that the person we are and the relationships that develop are certainly very surreal. There is a kind of detachment that makes the interactions feel safe and with little judgement. Maybe if we all knew each other socially, we may be a little more worried about people's perceptions of our responses? Or there impressions/judegements influencing our f2f relationship.
Food for thought
Wenda
Hi Jenny, Siti and Wenda,
I think that Jenny has put on her interpretation the same perspective as my own first impression(fiction implies false). Do you agree Jenny? Siti, you have drawn the interesting possibilities for "fiction" to become fact. Never before has the whole world opened up to such a degree as a possible place for meeting one's soulmate. And why not?
And then Wenda puts another slant on it which I find I identify with very much, as well. Disembodied voices totally free of many common constraints in speaking their minds. But even this can only succeed in the atmosphere of mutual respect that this group displays so well.
Sure is food for thought, Wenda.
Kathi
Hi,
The notion of fiction for me comes from the different environment in which we are interacting - I have read somewhere that the effects on participation in discussions between F2f and online for the same group of students was that participation in the discussions was spread between more participants and also the discussion that took place went to a higher level. Those people that like to reflect before they speak suddenly are working with a tool online that encourages that, also the nature of written communication has changed over time with the advent of email and other electronic communication - think of businesses where all of a sudden letters and memos did not have to go through a typing pool and instead could be sent by their author. In terms of communication between students a mix between f2f and also e-communication will reach the widest group of students and mix of learning and participation styles?
Kirsty