Online Cummunities still local?

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zhinu (Laura) Olympia, WA(Zone 8a) Jul 20, 2008

I found this and I thought people would be interested.

Quoting:
He was particularly curious to know how the physical distance between members of the online community affects the likelihood of their associating. He found that even in cyberspace, friendships depend on proximinty. (In fact, the probability that people know each other in inversely related to the square of the distance between them.) "Why should it matter online if someone is 10 miles away, 50 miles away or across the globe?" He [Jon Kleinberg] says. "You would think friends might be uniformly spread out around the world. That's not what happened. You still see heavy traces of geography." - Smithsonian Fall 2007 p.100


I don't think that's the case on here. I just as happily talk to someone from FL or France as I do from OR, though I am more interested in people from WA. I think it might be because usually we use the internet to keep in touch with people we know, but on here it's our common interest that ties us together.

What do others think?

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kwanjin (Zone 7a) Jul 20, 2008

Thanks, Zhinu. It isn't the general case here. I have people I consider friends from Bulgaria, Florida, Arkansas, California, China, Alaska, Iceland...lots more.

Friends do not depend on proximity. A friend is your friend, no matter from where they hail.

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zhinu (Laura) Olympia, WA(Zone 8a) Jul 20, 2008

It's just finding them that's sometimes a problem.

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kwanjin (Zone 7a) Jul 20, 2008

Yes, you're right again.

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crissyr Fayetteville, AR(Zone 7b) Jul 20, 2008

I agree Celia. I don't think it matters.

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roybird Santa Fe, NM Jul 21, 2008

I think DG friends are special because we already have things in common. We like plants! It is very nice to actually meet with DG friends in person, when possible.

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missingrosie Hillsborough, NC(Zone 7b) Jul 27, 2008

Might have been a research project with strict definition for the study guidelines. I wonder what his definition / criteria is for his term 'likelihood of associating?' What would be his description of 'associating?' Maybe he meant beyond the 'discussion room.' If so, he probably is right. I have a good buddy that lives in NJ. I 'met' Kate years ago in a chat area for MS. My sis had it and I was seeking answers about things I could do to make her confinement in bed easier. Anyway, since then we did become great friends --exchanging life's good and bad - phone calls, cards and small christmas goodies and rants and tears when the occasion lent itself to that (raising teens --and since then grandchildren!!) We have extended visit invites to each other's homes spouses included. But, I would say that the likelihood of that is low for a repeat happening. On the other hand the only folks I have met from DG have been those who live in my area or pretty near to it. That doesn't mean I don't consider the DG members 'friends,' and that I am not happy to help them when I can or read their posts and wish them well, ask advice, etc. etc. And, as I have become more familiar with screen names - I find that I am happy to find those posts that are from familiar screen names. I have 'learned' the personalities (jokesters, wry humor, sarcastic, sound advice, etc. etc). But getting back to this post, there are different levels of friendship and maybe this person had strict criteria. I have noticed that in the DG forums that those folks from same geographical areas seem to 'know' each other and from things said have met each other or know each other on a more intimate level -- private jokes etc. etc.

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