No. They used to, because I'm socially inept when I'm not online :P Most of my online friends are people I know/knew IRL anyway. The exceptions have proven themselves capable friends in some respects but there are some days when a *hug* just doesn't cut it and you need a real hug instead. And people you meet online can (and do) hide things, or say things they wouldn't say IRL, or do things they might hesitate to do IRL. Sometimes there is a big difference. I trust my online friends but I know that if I met them I'd probably be surprised by who they were. I think offline friendships count for a lot more. That's not to say that the internet sucks, or that friends can't keep in touch online, but it's much nicer to have a conversation in person.
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sforzinda
no subject
Date: 2005-04-21 07:29 pm (UTC)Most of my online friends are people I know/knew IRL anyway. The exceptions have proven themselves capable friends in some respects but there are some days when a *hug* just doesn't cut it and you need a real hug instead.
And people you meet online can (and do) hide things, or say things they wouldn't say IRL, or do things they might hesitate to do IRL. Sometimes there is a big difference. I trust my online friends but I know that if I met them I'd probably be surprised by who they were.
I think offline friendships count for a lot more. That's not to say that the internet sucks, or that friends can't keep in touch online, but it's much nicer to have a conversation in person.