I was gonna post this in the org site discussion forum, but I kinda want to make it a bigger topic than just about what goes on here at the org.

Do you believe it's possible to have a sense of community in an online environment?

If a particular web site - like, say, the Org, or even, say, like a car maintenance web site - had discussion forums, does it betray the site for people to get to know each other in ways that aren't directly related to, say, Prince or car maintenance?

Does the function of a discussion forum invite the development of some kind of virtual community, or does community betray the function of the site?







I hope some of that made sense.

Do you believe it's possible to have a sense of community in an online environment? yes it is possible

If a particular web site - like, say, the Org, or even, say, like a car maintenance web site - had discussion forums, does it betray the site for people to get to know each other in ways that aren't directly related to, say, Prince or car maintenance? i dont think it does

Does the function of a discussion forum invite the development of some kind of virtual community, or does community betray the function of the site? it depends on the people involved ... i think it invites the development

There's no such thing as an online community.

analbolique said:

why do you say that?

Anxiety said:

I dunno, I was just trying to be rebellious.

analbolique said:

Sure. I very much consider the Org an online community.

dreamfactory313 said:

in 'real time', do you consider yourself part of any other kinds of communities? if you find yourself getting to know people in a 'real-time' community outside of the factor that brought you all together, would you consider that a betrayal of your community?

like, say, if you're part of a community of volunteer firefighters, but you find yourselves going bowling together more than you're called on to volunteer...are you then a bowling community?

This is an online Hegemony.

AsianBomb777 said:

BANNED!!!

Anxiety said:

I have no idea what the hell you are talking about.

AsianBomb777 said:

did someone say BUMP???

TheOrgerFormerlyKnownAs said:

Anxiety said:

Okay, I went back and read it again.

I very much think this is an online community. I feel like some of the people here are my friends and we have never met and the feelings I have for them have nothing to do with Prince.

Wrong Forum

No, I completely get what you are saying. It's how I justify my "addiction" to the org. It's more than just Prince we talk about. Shoo, if P was all we talked about, I wouldn't still be here. I think here the GD keeps us in touch. Actually I think this site transcends a typical site. But since I am not on other communities...that's hard to judge.

It doesn't matter that there is a poop thread or a cowbell thread or Hey I need help thread...what matters is that we are here...getting to know each other BEYOND Prince and actually caring about what happens to each other. Even just to see someone like Mach or Endo or even Anxy post...means they are ok and all is mostly good.

superspaceboy said:

Anxiety said:

I know I am. I am part of the "chill" community here, I suppose. Well my crew and I are one of the few chill contingents in California. We all know each other and do things of a Chill nature (go to the same events etc) However, some of us are friends beyond that. We go to movies and hang out in general. What is interesting is that my friends girlfriend and I have found quite a few things to do together that is apart from not only the chill stuff...but apart from her BF and my friendship.

I think one can be part of several communities at once and yet find things in common with those people that go beyond the community into friendship.

TheOrgerFormerlyKnownAs said:

Co-

You get what I'm sayin.

superspaceboy said:

I just come here for the lollies.

althom said:

PERVERT!

Anxiety said:

althom said:

I don't know why I bother coming here all the time.

althom said:

we don't know why you do either.

althom said:

SECURITY!

OK, whenever i give a serious answer threads always seem to die, so I can only count on Althom to bump this after I post this.

I'm not sure if I can call it "Community" cuase I don't know what that implies or entails, as I've never felt really part of any community--even my own ethnic culture.

The org is a form of escapism for me. When I first started posting last summer, I never intended to do anything more than make a few people laugh. SInce then, I've met people, albiet, on the phone or on yahoo chat, that I genuinely in some odd fashion care for.

I like the distance that seperates us--it keeps them from annoying me and vice versa--but I also would venture to say that they've become much more in some odd way then just mere amusement.

I actually get genuinely concerned for some my friends, particulary the pudding gang, although I'm looking to form a new one as the ones in the original gang have become lethargic and overly slutty.

It is as valid a community as any other. I am an active part of a few communities and I don't see them stronger then this one necessarily. Many people here know more intimate details about each others lives then those in their non org communities do. (I see this because of two factors. )

1) A good number of orgers are introverts
2) Many feel more comfortable in this environment speaking more outwardly to their views and life goings ons.

I am a bit different because I am fairly what you see is what you get here there or anywhere so I don't count in these observations. I have met a large number of orgers and have found them to be consistent with what I knew them to be here.... For me it has always been a great experience. (Again, no less valid then any other experience.)

FACT: If you took an orger around your offline world for a few days, odds are the Orger would have more detailed accounts about you then those in your other circles. Even family. For the simple fact we read each other daily and have a greater tendency to share our life experiences.

I think of the org as one big dysfunctional family picnic.


We got few Uncle Chesters over by the swings, a couple old biddies in the shade that complain about everything, a couple of cousins you avoid like the plague and swear you ain't related to, a few bitter alcoholic uncles in the parking lot sneaking shots, the kids and teeny boppers kinda just chill to one side under the trees and do they own thing,...

You run the risk of getting involved in some complicated age old drama if you hang out at the wrong table or blanket to long or at the wrong time..... sometimes the food just plain sucks...but for the most part you are happy to be there and the experiences you have there are good and the people there are good ... they make you few safe and warm and relaxed, you feel a sense of love that's binding and almost palpable, you feel an underlying sense of harmony and belonging.


Each new orger I meet and/or become close with reinforces this image in my mind. For whatever reason, and I think we all have our own theories about why this is, we are linked to each other in ways that supersede sex, race, age, ethnicity, location, sexual preference and creed...

The org has had it's ups and downs at times for me, but I cannot say I am anything less that grateful for every soul I have come in contact with here. The org is something that fulfills our individual needs, it is a system that allows us to share our beliefs, desires, emotions, triumphs and sorrows, successes and failures...if that's not community I'm not sure I know what is.


Just my