How well do we know each other on WC2?

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paradox3

paradox3

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How well would you say we know each other here on WC2? This question came up recently on one of the threads in regards to a particular poster. But it has me thinking more broadly.

Many related questions are coming to mind but I will wait for some responses before posing any more queries.

I have decided to post this topic in Relationships. Are we in authentic relationship with each other here?

What do you think?
 
paradox3 said:
How well would you say we know each other here on WC2?
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Personally? Probably not all that well.

Behaviourally? Probably really well.

I expect we would have a fairly high predictive ability to guess how any one poster would respond to any particular post.

There is room for surprises in that we really don't know motivations of others and others know as much about what motivates us.

paradox3 said:
Are we in authentic relationship with each other here?
Click to expand...

Hard to say.

I think that for many there is an attempt to be authentic. Some are a bit more reserved/reluctant.

Apart from that there is the fact that text based communication is missing a great deal of our ordinary communication devices.

Tone of voice is missing.

Facial/visual cues are missing.

Even when we strive to be transparent we are at a disadvantage communication wise.
 
This is a good topic. I may need to think more about this. Perhaps this is just one form of relationship that has various levels of authenticity, depending on different factors. I have met some in person and have had wonderful interactions with them. I knew at least one person in real life prior to WC's existence. She is still a valued part of my life. I look forward to meeting others, and who knows how those relationships would evolve.

I do know that this community is important to me. I hope I know people fairly well. I know though this is a limited form of relationship. I suspect some people are essentially who they present themselves to be here. Others, not so much. Regardless, I am glad to be part of this crowd.
 
Good points @revjohn about the limitations of text-based communications.

When it comes to authenticity, I am inclined to think most of us strive to be authentic. Some may share less personal information than others but still present their true selves.
 
Agreeing with @Northwind about the importance of this community.

To my knowledge, I have only met one current poster in real life and I knew her decades ago.

I knew a few others on the original WC and I met two of the revs when I was visiting their cities.
 
paradox3 said:
How well would you say we know each other here on WC2? This question came up recently on one of the threads in regards to a particular poster. But it has me thinking more broadly.

Many related questions are coming to mind but I will wait for some responses before posing any more queries.

I have decided to post this topic in Relationships. Are we in authentic relationship with each other here?

What do you think?
Click to expand...

I feel we are, to a limited degree. Much gets lost.
 
paradox3 said:
When it comes to authenticity, I am inclined to think most of us strive to be authentic. Some may share less personal information than others but still present their true selves.
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Our ability to be vulnerable is directly connected to our ability to be authentic.

Along the way our willingness to trust is tested as often as is our ability to be trustworthy.

There are a number of posters I have had opportunity to meet away from WC and WC2. That helps with getting to know one another.
 
revjohn said:

Our ability to be vulnerable is directly connected to our ability to be authentic.
Click to expand...
True enough.

But can we be authentic while limiting our vulnerability? I think we can but I am interested in others' thoughts.
 
paradox3 said:
But can we be authentic while limiting our vulnerability? I think we can but I am interested in others' thoughts.
Click to expand...


I suspect this is a case by case situation with mileage varying.

And then we deal with relative authenticity the only problem with relative authenticity is we have nothing to compare it with.
 
I think significantly, Paradox3.

I have found in small groups, it makes all the difference.
It turns some one from a flat image to a rounded image
 
Well in some ways we know each other quite well.

I have hosted 3 individuals from WC2 in my home and got what I expected! They were delightful and quite true to the way they presented on WC2.
Conference is happening in this city next month and a WCer will be billeted here. After meeting her on WC we visited for several years at Conference and my sister knows her from Presbytery. Again she (on WC) posted consistent to who she is.
Other WCers I have intentionally met a time or two. Not really any surprises there.

and some WC and wc2 friendships also include facebook friendships.

Now they are also folks from both WC and wc2 that based on the way they present themselves-that I would not offer an invitation stay at my home.
I may meet them in a public place or gathering or I may not.
 
Interesting to hear @Tabitha that folks were true in real life to their presentation on WC2.

I would say the same of the two posters I met in real life. Although our conversations were fairly brief (both are revs and I met them after their church services) I had a definite sense of already "knowing" them. One in particular talked about some of the posts I had made on WC.

It was a good experience to see them leading worship.
 
There are people on WC and WC2 who are very important to me. I would hate to lose them - some of them only post on facebook now, and the connection is not the same, but I still get excited when I see their posts.
I have made a point of meeting as many as possible in person during me trips to Ontario or across the country - and of course the one from Australia who travelled all the way to Canada to meet us. I made a quick trip to a different province just to spend a delightful evening with her.
All I have met seemed to be authentic.

I sometimes think that I am actually more authentic here than I am out in public in real life. I feel safe here. I sometimes feel I have to protect myself in real life -- don't let others see my weaknesses. Here I can speak my mind, rant, cry, laugh, explore ideas.
Some people here annoy me. Some make me mad. Most are kind, thoughtful, intelligent, interesting. And diverse. Celebrating our differences.
 
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