Friday, March 24, 2006

so don't tell me i'm not connected here, that i'm living an inauthentic life. repeat after me, yes i am authentic, yes we are authentic.

I resent the shallowness of the critics who say that if you sit in front of a computer and participate in online conversations worldwide you are not leading an authentic life. I question the premise that one person can judge the authenticity of another person's life. Millions of people passively watch television all day long. Don't tell me that having an email relationship with someone on the other side of the world is less authentic than sitting alone and watching the tube. For many people, this new medium is a way of breaking out of the virtual world they already live in. [Howard Rheingold]

you go, howard. that's all i can say.

9 comments:

LadyCracker said...

check your yahoo MG

Melba said...

okey doke

BEVIS said...

Turn around three times and touch your nose, MG.

Melba said...

ok, done. i did it clockwise, was that right?

BEVIS said...

No. Do it again, the other way.

Then repeat after me. (But I'm not telling you the words I'm saying. YOU HAVE TO LEARN TO WORK SOME THINGS OUT FOR YOURSELF!!)

elaine said...

After poking myself in the arm, I declare myself to be authentic.

This type of shallow commentry irritates me. Yes, sitting behind a computer screen can be a way for people to hide.

It is also a way to meet people you wouldn't normally be exposed to in your everyday life.

So, this other Howard is an idiot too then?

BEVIS said...

?

I think Howard's saying the good bit.

I'm getting confused now ...

elaine said...

no bevvie, I should just read what's in front of me!

Justine said...

yeah, well, like, I'm sort of authentic, but then I kind of tell white lies... ok i lie outright occasionally, which some people would call being inauthentic...
blah

I don't know MG. People are just determined to judge. We open our mouths and seem to talk loudest about what we know least about.