I find you especially generous with your sharing of your own self, Elsa.

Good times.

I have to comment on this because this issue has been prevalent in my life lately. So much so, that every time I post here, I am asking myself in the back of my mind how, when and in what ways what I’ve posted here will come back to bite me in the butt.

I’ve been interacting with people on social networking sites and sites like this one for several years, and my experience has taught me that Mr. Lanier is absolutely right, and everyone always thinks their little group, their circle, their social networking site is the exception. It isn’t. In my experience, the people who have an ostensibly different experience have that experience because they have learned to adapt well to the unwritten rules of the new friendship. They’ve learned to accept superficiality as the norm and have adapted well to it.

I deleted my Facebook account recently because I realized that a particular group of people who are part of my distant past but whom I only know online now, have moved even farther away from me as a result of the new social-networking etiquette, if one can even call it that because I see very little of what I grew up recognizing as etiquette involved in it. Some people may venture outside of their comfort zone and meet people they met online, but many more never do and in fact find that they are apprehensive about making a phone call. I find that I, the person who left Facebook due to objections about how online relationships are not relationships at all, am now incredibly uncomfortable about venturing into even a phone call. This comes from a major extrovert (or at least I used to be).

Part of the new etiquette, I have noticed, seems to include what I see here in your other answers. How do I say this? It’s hard to really critically consider this issue and not seem to be criticizing others who don’t see it the way I do, and I’m not looking to offend anyone, I’m just looking to be honest and authentic. I’m going to spit this out. Ergh.

Bobbleheading is the new politeness. People felt the need to contribute by telling you how wonderful your site is, and again, like I said above, proclaim this site’s value. This is a good site, I like it, but its posting and the replies are, in motion, part of the phenomenon I’ve seen more times than I can count. In the wake of the new politeness, the only people it seems are deserving of impoliteness, which can sometimes be doled out on a magnificent scale, are those who won’t bobble, or even worse, who try to say something contrary to what was said by the majority or a strong, vocal minority. I don’t remember communication being so restrained when we used to meet people in the course of our real lives and deal with them in person, nor to do I recall so many incidents of witnessing hostility to a free exchange of thoughts and feelings being met with as open hostility as one can find on social networking and other sites used as such.

It’s not that people cannot and do not choose to use the Internet to express random acts of kindness. They can and they do, and this is a good thing. It’s very Aquarian, this social networking thing. Very group conscious, but I think ultimately damaging to the one-on-one dynamic.

For better or worse, those are my 57 cents. Try not to hate me.

Elsa, the funny thing is that that reply was very consistent with exactly the points I made. I think you might be, just a tad, over-personalizing with regard to your feelings about your website, rather than discussing the topic of the article as a whole, which is entirely your choice, of course. I was interacting intellectually with you on the topic as a whole, which I think isn’t actually what you wanted. Thus, I respectfully, yield. Have a wonderful evening everyone.

mm I’ve found the people here both interesting and kind by and large, and I think its down to you, Elsa – both in terms of your own character and how you maintain the site. Plenty of strong opinions combined with acceptance, interest and caring.

well said, Elsa. Well said.

I don’t hate you, Nikkie, but my response was not a bobble-headed one. I have yet to comment on the thread, to say thank you, properly, but did you see the thread I posted a week ago, when I was in shock? I’d just found out that my cousin died in the early hours of the morning. I ended up not being around for the rest of the day, and I think the night (I only remember drinking some alcohol and then getting sick), but did you see the responses to that thread? It wasn’t just one occasion, either – the thread for Jilly, alicia’s baby shower, and other threads here – another recent one was to celebrate Josi’s marriage.

I hope you stick around.

“so why come in and pee in the pool???”

Same reason they all do. To get attention.

This is a great place to get attention as well!

WaitWhat, I think that people were upset by NikkiE’s comment because this was a post from my heart, directed at people who recently helped someone I love (Jilly). I expect the other commenters feel as I do, that the post was hijacked and degraded by her remarks and that it was in bad taste.

I actually agreed with the man myself in the post. I wanted to acknowledge the people around here. I still do. Thanks, you guys.

I also hope NikkiE will stick around.

Yes, I agree that this is a wonderful place — so much so, that sometimes I’m intimidated to post for fear that I don’t have the time/energy to “say it just right” or put in the proper amount of care and attention that all these wonderful givers deserve.

NikkiE, I completely get what you’re saying. You must realize that objectivity is not the flavor of this place. Elsa’s group are a crop of sensitive souls. It’s a FAMILY. People are never objective about their family. Are you a Libra perchance?

I think social networking sites reflect much of what life in general reflects: 1. You will find what you’re looking for, and 2. You get out of it what you put into it. If you’re looking for shallow relationships, you’ll find them, because you’ll only superficially interact with people on the assumption that shallow relationships are the “norm” on the internet (or Facebook, or wherever). If, however, you approach online communication as simply another means to get to know people and keep in touch, share common interests, and appreciate each other, then it becomes something else entirely.

“This is a very special group and I am proud and grateful to be one of you.”

ME TOO! ((group.hug))

@NikkiE… I for one loooove to get “input” from the great many people from around the world. This blog / board has tons of them. It satisfies my Scorpio stellium in 2nd-3rd houses.

I’m a Conservative… which makes me rarity in Astrological circles. I can tell you this… stick around for a few months and you’ll be surprised when the members here will agree with you… from time-to-time.

Hold onto your opinions , but try your best not to crumble under the “growling” that comes your way when the majority disagrees with you. As a minority (opinion & viewpoint) on this board , I can vouch for the genuine acceptance on this board / blog.

I can also vouch that my feathers have been scorched on a few occasions… but they also been lovingly had salve applied by others.

Chin up!! Shoulders back. Be ready to hold a debate… and allow others their viewpoints. And acknowledge when your opinion just may need to be amended.

Staying on this blog /incredibly worth the rough times. I’ve been here a year now… and intend to stay many more **maybe to harass the Scorpio Moons **

Thanks again, bobbleheads!
LOL

& thanks Elsa for using your 8th house transforming mojo on the situation.