Is the internet better than the real world, for meeting people whose values and interests are similar to our own?

If nothing else, it taught me tolerance at a young age (since I have been using the Internet for the majority of my life.) Thanks to connections via various websites, I have been become friends with people from all around the world—some of whom I have remained close friends with for nearly ten years (and have sent my congratulations on multiple weddings and births.) I’m very thankful that I have not only found like-minded individuals with similar interests, but people who continue to encourage and inspire me. And I am certain that the many jellies on Fluther who have met in person will attest how strong the bonds they have created on this very website are just as satisfactory as any friendship formed in the “real world”.

Not better but more convenient and efficient.

As someone who lived in the woods outside a small village of <1,000 people, it was hard for me to find people who were into GURPS, sport compact cars, computers, or many of the other things I am into. Hell, I have trouble finding that even in the Seattle metroplex which has millions of people!

So I think it really depends on whether you have any hobbies/interests that are not mainstream to the point of being ubiquitous. For those of us who do, the Internet is a wonderful way to bring like-minded people together.

As for living in a virtual world, I see it as no more virtual than the world that was brought to us by the invention of the telephone, or high speed long distance travel. To my mind, its the same world and we just have a new way to interact with it that wasn’t possible before technology advanced. For instance, the internet did not make people who asked questions; it merely allowed them to create a place like Fluther where people from all over the world could share their questions and give answers to the questions of others.

I wouldn’t say better. I would say easier for those who aren’t willing to make the effort to get out and meet people on their own, in person.

No. You gotta test if they actually practice their values as they preach it online.

I think @jerv is right: for people with only mainstream hobbies and interests, real life is better. But if you have rarer interests that just don’t exist in your local area, or you live in a remote place, then the internet becmes a great (the only?) way to meet like-minded people.

And sometimes one leads to the other. When I was first searching for a support group related to transsexual men, I turned to the internet first, but because of contacts I made online, I found a RL group and have now made a lot of new RL friends.

I agree with @jonsblond The internet simply makes it easier for those who choose not to put themselves out there.
@dreamwolf True. There’s nothing like being with those who share ones values and interests.

As long as you remember that Internet meetings are not real meetings, it is OK.

I have met friends here.

Since most people tend to seek out those with similar backgrounds and similar preconcieved notions, I regard the Internet as a mixed blessing.

Can’t say better or convenient.
It’s much easier though because when you “lost” a meeting you can catch up rather easy because you can see/hear what they did rather than have one explaining it to you.
Let’s take for instance a club for chess. In real life you may meet like 20–30 of them but in the online world there can be over two hundred ^^
Social interaction on the other hand is better done face to face but when someone has self esteem problems can chose the internet because nobody can see them and marginalize them.

There’s more to this than what can be said here.

@CaptainHarley I imagine that isn’t a problem for you. I mean, I know plenty of people who love Harleys (a fairly mainstream hobby) and your political views seem pretty typical for Texas, so I can’t imagine you having much trouble finding people like you in your area. Then again, the Internet increases your risk of running into British iron-loving people like me, so maybe it is truly mixed…

@Hibernate And then there are Aspies that really don’t have the social skills for RL meetings but have no issues interacting with others using the internet as an intermediary.

@jerv

What I meant by that is: by people pre-selecting from a vast number of others who tend to think like them, their thinking tends to ossify and they seldom get to consider alternate points of view. Why do you suppose I stick around here on Fluther? Do you suppose I’m seeking my fair share of abuse? : )

that is some funny shit right there

Do you see me laughing?? : P

Well, you can certainly meet more people, and a lot of hobbies and passions are easy to share online. Indeed, were I to walk around outside with a billboard that said ’‘I like zombies’’, I’m not entirely sure it would work like having that in my tags on Fluther.
But I don’t think the experience is quite the same as the offline world, due to the limits of communication we have on here. Both are really different, so to me it amounts to what one is personally looking for when wanting to meet new people and sharing things.

@CaptainHarley I know quite a few narrow-minded people who rarely/never use the Internet yet also seek like-minded people while actively avoiding those with differing/opposing views. I don’t think the internet makes that appreciably worse; the internet has no effect of how stubborn or closed-minded they are, only on how many gather in one “place”.

It’s good and bad. I met you guys and I get to talk to you, like now. But I’m not watching the football game with my husband. my heart is breaking!

@Dutchess_III Multitasking is a good thing ;)

@jerv that’s true too. I use them both but nothing can compare to just socializing in the nature somewhere.

@jerv it’s hard to Fluther while breaking my heart at the same time!

As far as meeting people on the internet goes, it’s infinitely easier to find people who share your interests, but the problem is, the internet is a shell for you to comfortably reside in. Online, you can meticulously paint how others will see you and what they will see. Any flaws you have are potentially nonexistent. You can quite literally be anybody you want, who likes anything somebody else likes. So while it is easier to meet people, there’s the severe capacity for a major lack of sincerity as to who you’re meeting to be concerned of. But, like everything else, it isn’t a guarantee; you just have to be smart about it. After all, online you can Google anything and everything, giving you access to learn enough about their interests to convince that person you just IMed you are in fact their soulmate.

@ddude1116 Many people lack sincerity face to face. Your point?

@jerv It’s an entirely different insincerity. You have more ability for deception on the internet. It isn’t just intention and manner that’s insincere, it’s everything about you.

I have to agree with @ddude1116 to a certain extent. It takes some serious actions to convince someone IRL that you are sincere when you aren’t. You have to control your body language, your tone of voice, all of that. You can’t pretend that your a dashing, handsome dude IRL. It is easier, much easier, to fool people on line.

It also depends on the site. On a dating site you’re more likely to have people throwing the BS down…but that happens in real life too in courting situations, but it’s easier to pick up on IRL if you’re not. Here, though I really think you guys are who you say you are.

That’s right. I yam what I yam. Eye kie kie kie kie.

Yah @woodcutter! IRL NO ONE would pretend to be as STRANGE as you! hugs!

Strange is the new “normal!” : D

@Dutchess_III Muuwaa ;)