Comments on: The real value of online friendships (Hadley Freeman revisited)

By: The perils of suspicion | Indigo Jo Blogs

The perils of suspicion | Indigo Jo Blogs — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 20:31:45 +0000

[…] few months ago, I posted an article about how valuable online friendships can be. The stereotype of such relationships being the preserve of geeks with poor hygiene and social […]

By: Indigo Jo Blogs — Miss USA, Muslim role models and the state of our blogging community

Wed, 26 May 2010 18:14:38 +0000

[…] exactly the closest of friends; while I’m the first to admit that an online friendship can be deep and meaningful, particularly if it’s the only type of friendship you can have, many are simply casual and […]

By: Caf

Caf — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:00:41 +0000

Great post! Online friends have been invaluable to me since I lost the ability to get out in the world like I used to. I can completely understand the escape of setting up a ‘fake’ online identity - although I must admit that in reality it sounds like a lot to keep up! As well as providing an escape, the internet provides such a huge medium for communication. By being honest about my condition (CRPS) and my life I hope that I am able to spread awareness. I’m also able to connect with other people who suffer the same condition as me and receive a lot of information and support from them. A few of these ‘online friends’ have crossed over into being real world friends for me - also invaluable! I think there are good arguments for escaping with a made up identity and connecting with people using your true one, I think the whole key to utilising online socialisation is realising that you simply use it however you can to make your own life better…there is enough room out there for fake and real…even if personally, I prefer the real connections :) .-= Caf´s last blog ..When Doctors Lie & Hope Dies, From The Ash, The Phoenix Flies =-.

By: Safiyyah

Safiyyah — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:37:14 +0000

Salaams:

I don’t think it’s harmful. After all, everyone is entitled to their personal boundaries. Not everything about us is for everyone else.

There are things about me which I do not even tell my husband.

Your post kind of reminds me of the Johari Window:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johari_window

Often, aqaintances and even friends say to me, “Oh Safiyyah, I didn’t know you have MS!” And they DO see me differently after that.

Nothing surprises me about people. Nothing. I have learned that from years of working in prison, I think :) .-= Safiyyah´s last blog ..Saudi Bakhoor =-.